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victory may be won by truth, justice, toleration and lib-
erty, under the broad shadow of the national constitution.
M. I. COHEN, Chairman,
JAS. K. BREWER,
HENRY F. CAREY,
WM. H. NEILSON,
JNO. H. BARNES.
The following resolutions were adopted by the conven-
tion:
Whereas the Legislature of Maryland has, in the just
exercise of its powers, offered to the citizens of this ancient
Commonwealth an opportunity to reform the errors con-
tained in its present constitution and thereby save the
people from their evil consequences; and whereas certain
mischievous and misguided persons, from selfish and sin-
ister purposes, are seeking to misrepresent the intention
of those engaged in this great measure of reform; and
whereas, it is our duty and pleasure, in sincere truth and
honesty, to declare to our follow citizens that we have no
desire but to recover our imprescriptible rights, which
have been for no offence taken away, and in doing so shall
use only such peaceable means as the law places in our
hands; now, therefore, be it resolved:
First. That on this befitting occasion, we, the represen-
tatives of a law-loving people, reaffirm our devotion to the
constitution of the United States and the Union thereof,
upon terms of justice and equality, and that we will by all
the peaceable means within our reach uphold and defend it
from breach and overthrow, and will withdraw from all
persons, who have not like intentions, our confidence and
support. That we recognize the sovereignty of the States
within the limits of their reserved rights as essential to
our happiness and the preservation of our liberties, and
all measures tending to weaken them as progressive steps
to a central despotism.
Second. That all government founded upon just prin-
ciples contemplates the well-being and happiness of man,
and derives its just powers from the consent of the people;
its perversion to any other purpose or end is a tyranny
that ought to be abated. Many of the provisions of the
present constitution of Maryland were conceived in malig-
nity, fashioned in intolerance and a narrow conception of
right, and enforced against the will of the people, and,
therefore, it ought to be abrogated and a new one made,
laying its foundations in such clear principles of justice
as the past experience of our wisest statesmen may sug-
gest as necessary for the preservation of our liberties,
and the tranquility of the State. To that end we invite
all good citizens, without party distinction or names, to
assemble in their respective wards and choose as candi-
dates for the convention men of known and tried ability
and patriotic devotion to the best interests of the whole
people.
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