The Baltimore County union., 1867-07-27
Congress and Maryland.


last to meet again on the 2is, Of November It
was hoped that when the members Of Congress
came together on the 81 Of July, they would
find some means tO exiricate Maryland from ihy
control Of Rehcls-ihai either the principle OF
universal suffrage would be promulgated or some
special measure Of rcliei adpoted for our State
bat Congress Determined To leave the question
for future legislation. Its members thought
thai as this was a special session, convened un!
for specific purpose, Congress should onl!
transact ihr business that called them together
and then adjourn. They adhered to this rule
and only completed the reconstruction act We
canuo, say that the action OF Congress was
wrong lis members intended doing only a
certain ;hiag, and that they done well, leaving
no loop-hOlc for Andrew johnson To escaIc
should he refuse or neglect TO execute the recon.
siruc,ion act, nor no flaw by which Attorney.
General Sianbcrry may pick /, To pieces b.,
another Opinion" The Senate and House
were appealed 10 by Committee Of the los yalisls
OF Maryland, and our grievances made known
and while We met with the sinccrcsi sympathy
were referred 10 the resolution 70 transact no
other but the reconstruction business, but we're
Significant, reminded that regular session
is soon at hand--a time when the hands oi nen.-
beFs will be- un,cd, their action. uuirammelrd.
and that then the question whether Marylaai
has q republican form Of whether
the Union sentiment OF the State j. To be- over.
ridden by traitors-whethcF our loyal people ate
10 be as completely placed at the mercy of rebels
as was ever South Carolina--will be fully inyes-
riga,cl, aud such measure Of relief adopted as
the exigencies Of the case require. We must
wait, ihen, with what patience we may. the
neat meeting Of Congress. unlcss in the mean.
time, the good sense VI our people may solve
this question, and Of this We are not without
hope. The proceedings Of the last Legislature
Of our State were such as 10 irigh,cn Thousands
oil from the party in power, and We beiievc that
Il, ilings of The d,mocra,ic Convention now
engaged in making ncw Constitution Tor our
State will oe ihe las icttlcg. AMI that uug
people ri.in. in their migh,. sill scatter iA~
WORK of iht C,nvruton'i, tl, winds. aud VII.
cast our present r',lers from power as unwor,h,
OF ,hy. hgh positions.
"a +t' NtN" ''t's ttsaAs ''fftH stfr tafsT HNttf4
wiseiy in ignoring llic qlcstion Of suffrage ia
our STATE. by the provisions Of the Cous;i,u-
iion each STATE is le;t 10 determine for them
selves a 10 who shall be voters, and, until that
Constitution is altered Congress cannot provide
universal suffrage But an amendment. proy.-
ding for universal suaragc has been proposed to
the Constitution. aud has heen adopted by very
nearly ihree-iourihs Of all the State The
Southern States are rapidly organizing, aud as
Il is made condition OF their fall aimi,,lnce
back Into the Union that they shall adopt this
aHrndmcn,, in al! probability before Congress
asserii 'rs again tlc question vii have ben
solved. aul t.,; 'Ler wi.. onis have ', lrciaa
"a, amen lmcui adopted aud ,ia, hcnceioril tie
principle oigniy'rsl sufIiasc pr walls oycy ~ tie
States We van Afford to wait for this, ani in
The meantime We can be pToiiiably employed IN
organizing thu, elcmeni of strength which We
expect TO bring 10 our aid We can teach ihe
eolored people their high duties as eiiisens. and
can show them fhc mode by which they may
best pro;ec, their rights aud privileges We
can concentrate all our forces and energies, 50
that when the time comes for US To again meas.
urc strength with the democraiie-Febcl party
We may be prepared to conquer i,