New-York tribune., 1867-04-12
TIE M1RYLAND CONTENTION.

Tie returns from the interior counties of
Maryland are imperfect, but leave no doubt
that n majority of those who voted on
Wednesday arc in favor OF calling
Convention to change the Con-
sttution of the State. In Baltimore, where
there are nearly $4,000 voters, the total vote
was 2026i. of which 1895 were for Conven-
ton. and 9,O8 against it. giving majority in
the city of 1888. Many Republicans refused to
vote, denying the legality of the election, The
county returns thus far show majority or
1880, q total of 4,713, which is not likely TO
be overcome by the vote in the counties not
vet heard from. The Eastern Shore and South
ern MARYLAND will undoubtedly give large
majorities for the Convention.
The Convention thus called will meet at An
napos, May 19. 1t would never have received
a majority of votes had not the Legislature. dur
the late session. repealed the clauses of the Con
stitution which disfranchised those who
had sympathized with the Rebellion. The
disfranching clauses had been evaded at
the polls, and the representatives of Illegal
voters were prompt to use their power. BY
that action the Legislature placed the loyal
voters in minority, and its next step
was to pass the bill providing for
new Constitution. The Union men did their
best to prevent Convention. The Union
League of the State in February issued an ad-
dress to the people. in which 1t was declared
that the General Assembly, in open and
confessed violation Of the plain require
"ments of the Constitution which
"they swore 70 support, is plotting its entire
"subversOn by Convention called without
"the vote which it requires, upon basis ot
representation which it expressly forbds.'
The League appealed to loyal men to
make the submission of the question OF
Convention more than mere form, and warned
their opponents that the Union men would
"oppOse this revolutionary plot at every point
"where resistance can be made, and with every
weapon furnished us by the courts and the
claws" These failing, they intend to ask pro-
lection from Congress The Annapolis Con-
vcntion will certainly be ruled in the
interest of the disloyal population. and will
form Constitution giving the control OF tho
State to the old slavehoding counties. 1t
will not impose disabilities for participation
in the Rebellion. and will, there Is every
reason TO believe, provide for payment OF
damages to those whose slaves were emanci-
pated during the War The new Constitution
will also defeat the cherished object OF the
Union men-the establishment of impartial
suffrage. The Union League asked Congress,
in March, to enfranchise colored citizens, and
claimed that by this means only could the
State be made thoroughly loyal and republi-
can. SO bitter is the opposition to the Annapo-
lis Convention. that in case appeal to the
Courts should fail a. it probably WILL
the Union men contemplate calling
another Convention, in which all loyal
citizens, without distinction of color
shall be represented, TO frame Constitution,
which Congress wilr he asked to declare the
legal charter of the State. Conservative papers,
such as The Baltimore Commercial, join with the
Republicans in opposing the Annapolis Conven-
tion, and warn the Democrats that their schemes
to revolutionize the State will result in the inter
ference of Congress.