the colonization society. In 1849-'50, the doors
were opened and the privilege was given to the
citizens to purchase slaves wherever they pleas-
ed, (under certain restrictions,) and introduce
them into the State free from all burdens which
formerly existed. He then asserted it, without
fear of contradiction, that the State of Maryland
upon the subject of slavery, was in the year 1850
more healthy than she bad been for the last
thirty years. What had transpired since that
time, to convince this Convention that the State
would not continue in this healthy condition?
If any thing had transpired, widening this
change, he was not aware of it. He was still
willing to trust his native State upon this or any
other subject; she had ever been holiest to her
citizens, and he felt convinced that she would
so continue wherever the balance of power might
be. It would not be the western portion of the
State, nor the city of Baltimore, which would de-
mand a change upon this all absorbing and inter-
esting subject. You may fetter matter hut you
cannot chain the mind. It cannot be regulated.
It would act. And he would not be surprised to
see in twenty years, (if he lived so long,) these
very counties which are now so jealous of their
rights, knocking at the doors of your legislative
halls asking relief upon this very subject. He
did nut believe, that there was a citizen in this
State who would be willing to sue immediate
emancipation take place. Such a procedure
would be vital to the best interest, of both classes
of society; nor did he believe there would be any
material change upon that subject within fifty
years to come. The citizens of the lower coun-
ties had nothing to fear upon that score. By
colonization alone could this change be made.
The time would come, he admitted, when the
State would feel the necessity of removing this
class of persons from her BORDER=0s. Wherever
that period arrived, he could not, whether the
balance of power existed in the Eastern or West-
ern Shore, the upper or the lower counties—he
repealed it, that whenever the citizens of Mary-
land felt that it was of vital importance to her
growth and wealth, that this change should he
made it would he effected. But that period. he
predicted, would not arrive until these very coun-
ties in which this property now existed to a
very great extent, had called upon the Legislature
of your State, demanding by their petitions,
this very change. He would again call the at-
tention of gentlemen on this floor to the action
of this Convention and the Legislature of 1849
and '50. He was unwilling to distrust the citizens
of Maryland, she was willing and ever had
been to protect her citizens; she could not prove
recreant to that holy trust He spoke individu-
ally; he had lived in this State from his birth; it
was the land of his nativity; protection had al-
ways been extended to him both in his person
and his property. He (Mr. B.,) had understood
that this question prevented many gentlemen
from the Eastern Shore, coming up and voting
for the compromise measure proposed by the gentleman
from Washington. He believed that it
was the only compromise which could be carried |
in this House. Mr. B. said, that he wan not wil-
ling, like the gentleman from Montgomery, to
remain here this year and the next—thus running
the State into an unnecessary expense, without
even the prospect of effecting any good for the
people—rather than yield his opinions to the better
judgment to the sages of this Convention.
Though firm he was not obstinate in his opinions.
He was willing to compare notes, and hear the
opinions and reasons of other gentlemen; and if
his judgment could be convinced, no man would
abandon his opinions sooner than he, upon convention
of his error. If there was a personal dif-
ference between himself and neighbor, he was
always willing to compromise upon fair and hon-
orable terms. Allusion had been made to the
caucuses held a short time since in the other wing
of this building, by that portion of this Convention
known as the Reformers. He asked these
very particular gentlemen from his own county,
who looked upon caucuses with such holy horror,
how did they obtain their nomination for a seat
in this Convention last fall ? It was by a caucus
arrangement. He would ask the gentleman
from Kent, (Mr. Chambers,) if he were not one
of the most active and zealous members of that
caucus, which nominated and selected you, Mr.
President, the presiding officer of this Convention?
Mr CHAMBERS replied that he had answered
that question half a dozen times.
Mr. BREWER said, that the gentleman was one
of the most influential members of that caucus.
He would propound another interrogatory to the
gentleman, as he had not answered the question
as propounded to him on yesterday. It was this:
Did he not know that the anti-reformers had met
or intended to meet on Friday night last; and did
he not co-operate with them, although not present?
Mr. CHAMBERS. I answer distinctly unequivocally,
and absolutely, without reserve. No
Mr. BREWER said, this is the first time that his
friend from Kent, had positively denied being in
that caucus. Was there not such a caucus: and
was not the question now before this Convention,
discussed in that caucus, and measures adopted
by which they were to be carried in this body? is
there a gentleman here who was present at that
caucus, who would let him know?
Mr. SPRIGG. I do not know
Mr. BREWER You might not have been pre-
sent; such was the rumor, that a caucus was to
have been held by the anti-reform party of this
Convention.
Mr. SPRIGG. The gentleman is mistaken.
Mr. BREWER did not deny that he was present
at a caucus. All great measures originate in
caucus. The compromise measures, by which
the general government of these United States
were made firm and secure, were adopted in the
Senate by arrangement. Gentlemen of both
political parties, and from every section of the
country, consulted together for the general weal,
adopted the views contained in the compromise,
and offered them to the American people as a
peace offering to the North and to the South.
Would any gentleman here say that Daniel Web- |
