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266 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [June 22,
in the ruin and destruction of both sections, and a longer contin-
uance of it will utterly annihilate the last hope of a reconstrnction
of this Union ; therefore we want peace, and are in favor of a
recognition of the Southern Confederacy, and an acknowledge-
ment of its government.
Which was adopted.
The question was then taken on the
FOURTH RESOLUTION:
Resolved, 4.—That we deem the writ of habeas corpus the
great safeguard of personal liberty, and we view with the utmost
alarm and indignation the exercise of the despotic power that has
dared to suspend it in the case of John Merryman, now confined
in Fort McHenry.
Which was adopted.
The question was then taken on the
PREAMBLE TO THE RESOLUTIONS :
"WHEREAS, We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all
men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable rights; that amongst these are life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, govern-
ments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from
the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of govern-
ment becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the peo-
ple to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new government, lay-
ing its foundations on such principles, and organizing its powers
in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety
and happiness;" and,
WHEREAS, The doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary
power and oppression is absurd, slavish and destructive of" the
good and happiness of mankind; and,
WHEREAS, Standing armies are dangerous to liberty, and
ought not to be raised or kept up without the consent of the
Legislature; and,
WHEREAS, In all cases and at all times the military ought to
be under strict subordination to, and control of, the civil power,
and that the people of this State ought to have the sole and exclu-
sive right of regulating the internal government and police
thereof; and that in all criminal prosecutions, every roan hath a
right to be informed of the accusation against him, to have a copy
of the indictment or charge in due time (if required) to prepare
for his defense, to be allowed counsel, to be confronted with the
witnesses against him, to have process for his witnesses, to ex-
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