The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-02-13

his State he held and after victory was won
refused the commissions of Secretary OF
State and Chief Justice of the United
States when offered him by Washington.
These were the men Of the Association OF
Freemen to whom were intrusted the lib
critics of the freemen of Maryland, and
well they kept their trust and safely did
they steer the ship Of State through the
stormy times of war to that peaceful haven,
IA nation freedom.
son January Is, 1776, the following
resolutions were unanimously adopted by
the convention after considering the speech
of the King to Parliament October p ,l173:
That the people of the province strongly
attached to the English constitution and
truly sensible of the blessings they have de-
rived from it. warmly impressed with senti-
ments of affection for and loyalty to the
House of. Hanover, connected with the Brit
ish nation by ties of blood and interest, and
being thoroughly convinced that to be the
free subjects of the King of Great Britain
with all its consequences, is to be the fire.
est member of any civil society in the
known world, never did nor do entertain
any views or desire of independence. The
people claimed their rights to their privi-
ieges of Englishmcn, and expressed strong
" their anxiety at the attempts of Parlia-
ment to deprive them of their privileges by
raising revenue upon them and assuming
Il power to alter the charters, constitutions
and internal polity Of the colonies without
their consent. The attempts ofthe British
ministry to carry these measures into exc
cutiop by military force had been their only
motive for taking up arms, and the con-
vention declared that the people are enti-
tied to freedom, and are determined to
maintain it at the hazard Of their lives and
fortunes Their prayers and petitions
were spurned. The assemblies Of the col
onics were declared rebellious, their per-
sons and property made the subject OF
plumber, and foreign mercenaries were en-
ployed to subiugatc them.
obedience nov became but bondage,
and but one course was left to pursue-to
declare indcpendence-an for this Mary
land was now ripe Maya, I776, the con-
vention passed resolution requiring Gov
ernor Eden - leave the province, and di-
recting the president of the convention to
assume the duties of Governor. June %
a resolution was passed organizing 3,4O5
of the militia into flying camp for service
in the Middle States. On the 18th the
the restrictions imposed upon the delegates
were recalled and they were empowered to
act with the delegates of any of the other
colonies in declaring the united colonies
free and Independent States, and inform
ing such compacts and foreign alliances as
might be necessary, reserving, however, to
the State complete internal sovereignty.
PRINCIPAL in obtaining the passage Of the
resolution withdrawing the restrictions i'm
posed upon the delegates was Charles Car
roll of Carrollton. Maryland had now de-
termined to sever allegiance to the mother
country and the convention, not waiting
for the passage of Richard Henry Lee 5
resolution, did, on July ,, 177G, the day
before the Declaration of Independence was
passed. unanimously declare the indepen-
dence of Maryland by document worthy
of comparison for the dignity Of its senti-
ments and the force and feryor of Its APP
peals even with the far-famed Declaration
/ of American Independence.
Having issued its declaration and pro
/ vided for convention to form Il new gov
ernment by authority Of the people the
/ famous convention of the Association of
| Freemen resolved that it should be dis
solved August |, l776, and more stable
government formed, 1t had governed wise
/ ly and periodically. Its dispcnsations were
/ lust and moderate and the proceedings Of
/ that time ascribc the utmost impartiality
Neither the sanctity of the pulpit nor the
confidence and privilege thrown around the
/ high Office of delegate could shield an Of
fender who sinned against the liberty of
the province While it had been gov
eminent susceptible of much abuse and OPP
preston not a single person fell a victim to
| its unchecked power The fund of public
virtue among the people and their repre-
sentatives has scarcely a parallel in the an
I mails of the world. Resistance to tyrants
is service to God was its living creed, as it
was that of Thomas Jefferson, and faithful
/ " it devoted itself to this service. 1t dis
| enthralled the province from England's rule
( and made her a sovereign State Of the
/ American Union. August II, l77G, the
new convention assembled at Annapolis,
composed in main of the members of the
famous Association of Freemen. The first
step of the Assembly was to appoint com
mittee to prepare new form of government
and a charter of rights, which were to be
reported on September 10. Copies were
Immediately printed and submitted to the
people, and the Assembly adjourned to De-
tober ,, 1916, when it again assembled and,
after the fullest discussion adopted con-
stitution and declaration Of rights.
FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
"On February ), 1777, assembled at An
napolis the first Assembly of Maryland
under the new constitution, and the new
government was fully organized on the 18th
of the same month by the election of Thorn
as johnson as its first Governor, and Chas.
Carroll, Josiah Polk, John Rogers, Edward
Lloyd and John Contee as its first execu-
tive council; and tonight we celebrate the
eve of the one hundred and fifteenth ami
versary of this first constitutional assembly
of Maryland, which was born OF the patri-
otism, fearlcssness and wisdom of the As
ISOLATION of Freemen of Maryland, whose
services in times that tried the souls of he
roes should not be forgotten, and whose
deeds should be worthily commemorated by
the grateful people Of a prosperous and
noble State.
At the completion of Mr.. Mackenzie
address Gen. Bradley T. johnson was called
upon and responded. Senator Pearre, who
; was also loudly called for, made stirring
! address of about fifteen minutes. Senator
Pearre alluded to the bill now pending in
I the Legislature appropriating $4,000 fo1
monument to be erected by the society
and said he would work zealously for its
; passage. Delegate Philip d. Laird, in an
: swer to calls, said he would vote for the
appropriation. Ex-Congressman Henry