Again, Manufactures, I also include in my ob-
jects of encouragement—not because it has been
neglected, but because in framing a new govern-
ment for the State, I do wish to preserve equal
and impartial justice to each and every interest.
The liberal charters, and in some instances direct
subscriptions to stock, ($10,000 to the Union
Manufactory Company,) will show the paternal
regard, the State has had for this important
branch of industry. Mechanics is so intimately
connected with manufactures that it is impossible
to separate them. To this branch also, or rather
to the mechanics of Baltimore, a generous and
paternal care has been shown by an annual do-
nation to the Mechanics' Institution of Baltimore
of $500.
A similar donation was applied for at the same
session of the Legislature for the great State
Agricultural Society, and was refused.
It now remains for me to show authority, or
precedent for the proposition I have had the hon-
or to submit. And the first, because the most re-
cent, to which I will call attention, is found in
the California Constitution. The glittering gold
other hills and valleys has not even dazzled the
eyes of her law makers to what is just and right
and proper to the varied interests which may
spring up in this land of promise. She has pro-
vided in her fundamental law that " the Legisla-
ture shall encourage, by all suitable means, the
promotion of intellectual, scientific, moral and
agricultural improvement."
Almost identically the language, though I was
not aware of it when I drew my article, which I
have employed—and this language appears to
have been copied verbatim from the Michigan
Constitution—which I have reason to believe wag
drawn by that eminent statesman. Gen. Cass, now
so conspicuously before the country—for within a
few days past, I have had the honor to receive from
him an able and eloquent address delivered by
him in October last, before the Agricultural So-
ciety of Calamazoo county, Michigan, in which I
find the following cutting and well merited re-
buke to the members of the National Legislature.
He says in his conclusion: " My fellow citi-
zens, I come to you from a far different scene
from. this; from a scene where there was neither
eye nor heart for the peaceful and prosperous la-
bors of agriculture."
Neither an eye nor heart for the peaceful pur-
suits of agriculture! What a censure upon a
Legislature, three-fourths of which were com-
posed of the immediate representatives of the
agricultural interest. I trust, Mr. President,
that this Convention will merit no such rebuke,
but that we will show, by our action, that we
have both an eye and a heart for the peaceful
pursuits of agriculture, as well as all other inter-
ests in the State.
Mr. President, I could multiply authority. I
could read from the Constitution of the granite
State of New Hampshire—from Old Massachu-
setts—from Maine—from Indiana—I could give
the example of New York and New Jersey—I
could weary this body and exhaust myself with
the reading of them, were it necessary. But I
forbear—I am sure more cannot be necessary.

I have thus, Mr. President, as briefly as I could,
in my plain way, shown what interests have been
fostered and encouraged by the Legislature and
what neglected, and authorities for my propo-
sition , from the constitutions of many of our sis-
ter States. I have shown, I hope, conclusively
so, that while literature, including law and medi-
cine, have been patronized and encouraged, and
commerce lavishly so, agriculture and associa-
tions for the diffusion of knowledge and virtue,
have been neglected. Shakspeare says, " Igno-
rance is the curse of God, Knowledge the wing
wherewith we fly to Heaven."
And its kindred virtue, as compared with reli-
gion, is beautifully put by Dr. Watts, who says :
Virtue teaches us our duty towards man—Reli-
gion our duty towards God. "
Shall these innocent and useful associations
continue longer to be neglected. Will Maryland
suffer the reproach of continuing to be behind the
times, in moral and social culture ? Will she in
this enlightened age, at this period of moral, in-
tellectual and physicial improvement, falter in
her duty? For one, I trust not—1 hope not. Let
us for a moment forget party strife—political
aggrandizement—and apply ourselves to the
peaceful pursuits of life. Let the people of all
classes, and all interests, throughout the length
and breadth of Maryland, see that their wants,
their wishes, and their interests, are thought of;
are cared for—are provided for.
We then shall have proved ourselves, to be in
fact, as well as profession, their true representa-
tives. We then shall entitle ourselves to the
commendation of "well done good and faithful
servants." Mr. President, my task is done—my
duty performed—and in the language of the poet
I will say in conclusion,
"To you the polished judges of our cause,
Whose smiles are honor, and whose nods ap-
plause,
Humbly we bend, encourage arts like these,
For though the actor fails, he strives to please. "
NOTE—The Legislature of NORTH CAROLINA,
at its recent session, passed a bill authorizing an
agricultural, mineralogical, and botanical survey
of the State. The Governor is to make the ap-
pointment, and the surveyor is required personal-
ly, or by his assistants, "to visit every county in
the State, and examine every thing of interest or
value in either of the above departments, to as-
certain the nature and character of its products,
and the nature and character of its soil, as well
as to give an account of its minerals."
Mr. JENIFER said that the views presented by
the gentleman from Montgomery, (Mr. Davis,)
were well worthy of consideration here and
throughout the State; but he, (Mr. J„) thought
that it was questionable whether the bill of rignts
was a proper place for the provision. He
thought that the bill of rights should stand as a
declaration of rights, without the introduction of
matters into it which belonged properly to the
Legislature, It would be better, Mr. J. thought,
that the amendment should be permitted to lie