New-York tribune., 1867-09-20
N1RYTdND.


land appears to be rather light, but the pre-
penderance of the old Democratic pro-Slayery
party is decided. Only three years ago new
Constitution was adopted by the close vote OF
SOFIA to 29,799-a majority OF only 80. mat
Constitution was pretty well adapted TO the
political situation, and necessarily gave oiiense
to the Southern sympathizers who had so long
ruled the State. Now, after the lapse of few
months, another new Constitution, one which
bears as heavily against the Republican side
as it was deemed prudent to go, is put before
the people on the short notice Of four weeks,
and, as the figures thus far received go to show,
it is run down their throats with the greatest
ease. The document itself is nothing remark
able, and nowhere exhibits any evidence OF the
necessity for its creation; indeed, 1t Is little
more than a trick to rehabilitate the ostracized
Rebels of the war, and open convenient doors
for them to slip into comfortable offices. The
scent for Office is keen, and no time Is to be
lost 1t is enacted, we believe, that in case
the Constitution is adopted there shall be an
election in Baltimore within about one month,
by which election the friends of the new con-
Germ hope to get complete possession of that
city, and possibly to hold the whole State in
the interest of the President and his policy.
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of Office appear
to have been the maxims under which the
originators of this miniature revolution operated
the Civil Rights bill was to be ignored, as it
had been time and again outlawed by decisions
of Maryland judges the Niger, and especially
the Niger who fought for the Union, was to
be reduced TO his normal condition. or at
least shut out from the ballot and such other
civil privileges as he could safely be deprived
of the wary worn veterans of Lees army were
to be reGndowed with the franchise; and tests
of loyalty were to be abolished In an article
concerning the Convention that made this Con-
stitution we read
"Thc Maryland Convention performed It's work rs II
its members felt that they still fighting for the lost
cause. They attacked the Union oaeeholders OF the
state with much reckless mpctuosity AS Lees yeter-
ia their last desperate assault upon the Union lines
before Petersburg They framed their Constitution ap-
parenty for no other purpose than to obtain tho state
AID local offices now held by Union men, They have adj
mtted all the returned Rebels TO the suffrage ana ex
Cuded from il all coored men, They have established no
test of loyalty on The contrary they have made DIS
loyalty the test OF suffrage by e&clng c0ored Uhon
soldiers from the use OF the ballotboX While white
Rebels who fought under Lee or who stood on the picket
hne around AndeISohNIIe, OF sHAuou llDpy, are a'-
mtcd 10 vote the coOred men who fought under Grant,
and aided ia the defense Of Washington and Baltimore,
are denied oven the gnt OF admission TO the witness
box, except Is temporary ana special favor Inc Con-
has placed all the COurCd people NJ
the mercy OF white proRebel Legsldture no security
Of the least value IS given in the new Constitution 10
negroes for either e liberty or property Even the pres
ent laws OF the state IN regard TO negro apprentices may
remain unchanged. Negro children may he wrestod from
their parents and hired ont to their late owners Thou
sands OF cases OF TINS kind have recently occurred IN Cal
vert Anne Arundel and other counties. The civil Rights
bill passed by Congress stopped this practice to some eN-
TENT but MaryandJndges ana (uilcs relse ~ many cases
10 enforce that law Many local lawson similar character
the State Apprentice law exist and are enforced For
instance In several counties negroes not permitted 10
deal In merchandise, unless recommended by certain
number OF white freeholders and II white man, IN some
places employs colofed clerk nc Is liaOie 10 ns OF
$50: In county negroes are not permitted to h0d public
meetings. except days fixed by their late masters.
Negroes convicted OF crime may be sold INTO slavery Tor
OF These and other laws OF Ike character
disgrace the statute book OF Maryland and the new Con-
sttutOn does not hold out so Iar as we nave seen any
prospect Of Improvement. The fact that 1t leaves the
negroes the right to the witness and that it author
izcs appeal 10 Congress for compensation 10 saves
very evidence In support OF the charge thaI lhe
Democratic party In Maryland would reestablSh slavery
its worst form tomorrow, II 1t had the power ana
courage"
The spirit is willing enough, but the flesh is
weak, and we do not attach much Importance
to this Constitutional election It's chief value
will be to the Democratic editors, who will
count all the votes polled in the affirmative as
" great Democratic gains" Maryland has
thousands of noble Union men within her
borders; but there is a section of the State
down by Virginia, that is to-day as bitterly Rebel
in spirit as Charleston was in 1861. This District
sent Benjamin Harris to Congress; and, we
may add, as not much less disloyal, the East
crn Shore District, represented now by Freder-
ick Stone.
From the returns already received, we Judge
that the new Constitution is carried by fifteen
or twenty thousand majority. Baltimore gives
1920 Yeas to 1916 Nays; last year, on State
Controller, her vote was: Republican, 7,474
Democratic, $3.50. Partial returns from other
sections run the same way and we must make
up our minds to wait an indefinite period for
any solid and liberal reconstruction in this
State.
The best way now to beat Andrew johnson
opd yut N otop 10 his