Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-08-28

fW my" D""sUf AVIAN hCbiNSON VI
Waterbury
THE NEW CONSTITUTION OF MARYLAND.
We have already given some Of the features Of
the new constitution proposed for the State Of Ma
yland. But there are one or two other things
about it which significantly mark this last product
Of democratic fabrication The present constitution
contains asits rstartcle in the declaration ofrghts
the following, viz:
"That we hold it to be sef-oydent that all men
are created equally free that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain nalienable rights, among
which are lite, liberty the enjoyment Of the proceeds
OF their own labor and the pursuit Of happiness"
The Democracy OF Maryland have long repudint-
ed this doctrine, it they ever held it, and SO now
while the majority Of the nation has, for the first
time, acted up to this sublime declaration, we lind
it omitted from the proposed constitution. This
may be consistently and sincerely DONE but il shows
that the Maryland democrats have sunk far below
the position occupied by Jefferson and other South
ern men nearly % hundred years ago.
But there are additions as well as omissions that
serve to explain the true character Of this document
One OF them is as follows
"That the people of this State have the sole and
exclusive right Of regulating the internal govern
ment and police thereof, free, sovereign and
independent STATE"
The debate on this clause developed the most in
tense States rights pretentons. Calhoun's speech
in 1888 was quoted in support Of the clause, and
there is little doubt that it was adopted in the Call
houn sense Of jusuiyng notification in possible
contingencies. There is a curious confirmation of
this another article which transcript OF clause
in the constitution Of the United States, with one
important exception. Ii reads thus;
"Atr 3. The powers not delegated TO the United
States by the constitution thereof, nor prohibited
by it to the States, reserved TO the States, re-
specuvely' or TO the people hereot'"
The final thereof is an addition and It's purport
is to eXiugush the sovereignty of die people of the
Union, 10y dividing il up among the people OF The
several States, according to the Calhoun theory.
With the denial of the conceded rights Of man,
with the assumption OF the exploded States rights
theories, and claim for compensation for their
emancipated slaves, we think it must be admitted
that the Maryland democracy are progressing back
ward very fast 1t is no more, however than might
he expected Of a convention that was originated and
chosen in defiance OF law, and largely composed of
men whose hearts had been with the Southern Con-
fcderacy" rather than with the government Of the
United States.
Boston Journal, and not without pleasure What
the Waterman nursing the old seed.egg Of rebelonY
No, thank you but the Waterman is most decidedly
in favor of testing the question whether Maryland,
OF any other State, can be prevented from nursing
it. We have believed that Congress has the power
to control the reconstruction the rebel States not
on the ground of some that the State governments
or State rights had been extingushed by rebellion.
but ON the strict constitutional power and duty of
the United States Government to secure and en-
force republican Government IN each State subject
to the Constitution ofthe UHifed States This con-
rule subjects sfery State constitution to
the power OF the United States; and when the peo-
die OF Maryland shall adopt constitution affirming
the sovereignty Of the state against the United
States, coupling it with omission Of the guaranty
by the State Of liberty TO every citizen, which the
laws of the United States now give we are for hay
ing decision Of the question which is superior the
Constitution and Government of the United States,
or that of the State Of Maryland If this Maryland
constitution shall be adopted let some Congressman
take the little bull by the horns and require copy of
the constitution to be transmitted to Congress Then
we would have a resolution Of Congress declaring
the Constitution of Maryland incons istent with that
Of the United States and therefore that the late state
of Maryland is not entitled representation for the
time being in the Congress Of the United States If
Sec. of Art. " Of the Constitution means any
thing in its first clause let all the States know it
aud govern themselves accordingly We believe
in State rights just far consistent with the Con-
sutution of the U. S. and the integrity of the Union,
and not iot or title beyond that.