NEWS CONFERENCE 333

Maryland reflects the diversity that gave to America its greatness.
We are many people. We are many races, religions and national
origins. We are a tidewater people and a mountain people. We are
a people born to rich farmlands and a people reared in the teeming
tempo of city streets. We are different kinds of people, each individual
and unique, but united in our common love of freedom, our common
respect for human liberty, our common passion for law and order,
and our common faith in the future. A constitution for the State of
Maryland is in every respect a constitution for each of the State's
united citizens.

So now begin the great work knowing that what you attempt has
been tried before and that what you will accomplish must serve as
law and letter to a society yet to come. Let principle be chapter and
verse of the new constitution and let brevity attest to the clarity of
its pronouncement.

Let every political passion be expressed, but let logic, compromise
and principle prevail.

Let remembrance of the past give direction, let understanding of
the present provide confidence, and let vision of the future offer in-
spiration.

Lay shoulder to the great points, knowing as did Thomas Jefferson
that the little ones will follow.

Let the wisdom of our nation's enduring Constitution be your
example.

And let these Biblical proverbs be your creed:

"Behold, a good doctrine has been given unto you; forsake it not.

"It is a tree of life to them that hold fast to it, and its supporters
are happy.

"Its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are peace. "

NEWS CONFERENCE
July 13, 1967

There was no opening statement by the Governor.

Q. Were you happy with the organization of the Constitutional Con-
vention?