Counties. Population. No. of Deleg's.
Allegany, . . . 22,584 4
Anne Arundel, . 20,871 3
Baltimore county, 40,082 6
Carroll, . . . 20,230 3
Caroline, . . . 9,370 3
Calvert, . . . 7.824 2
Cecil, . . . 18,601 3
Charles, . . . 12,329 2
Dorchester, . . 17,162 3
Frederick, ..37,419 6
Harford, . . . 18,498 3
Kent, .... 10,608 2
Montgomery, . 13,815 2
Prince George's, 16,946 3
Queen Anne's, . 12,776 2
St. Mary's, . . 11,359 2
Somerset, . . 20,224 3
Talbot, . . . 12,158 2
Washington, . . 30,108 5
Worcester, - . 17,490 3
Baltimore City, 167,830 10
Howard, . . . 12,000 2
Total, 73
The slightest examination of this projet re-
veals the startling fact that the whole political
power of the State had been transferred to one
peculiarly favored section, as if by a magicians
wand. The enchanters spell could not have
done it more thoroughly—certainly not more
speedily. No lynx eye is required to pierce its
concealed depths. No imagination to fathom its
secret mysteries or divine its present and future
objects. With one fell swoop it has stripped us
bare and left us naked—harmless as the poor
worm that crawls at our feet, unable even to se-
cure our own self-protection. From the proud
position of equals, we are at once reduced to the
humiliating posture of suppliants—and when wo
shudder at the prospect, we are told that this is
democracy—par excellence democracy—alas, what
deeds are done ill virtues name. As
"In religion,
What damned error, but some sober brow
Will bless it and approve it with atext,
Hiding the grossness with fair ornament.
There is no vice so simple, but assumes
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts."
By this arrangement the original land marks
of the government are uprooted from their foun-
dation—the lime honored principle of territorial
representation (assuch) utterly discarded, and
the majesty of numbers recognized well nigh to
its fullest extent. It locates the entire legisla-
tive authority in one branch of the government,
[and that one more important than all the others
together,] upon our extreme northern BORDER=0 and
thus renders the whole of southern and eastern
Maryland, subject to its tyranny as well as to its
justice. Vast and differing interests are left
helplessly dependant upon its mercy—and that
beautiful and well balanced sectional equality
hitherto prevailing and made essential by the
peculiarity of our geographical character, will be
found to exist no longer. All this is done in the |
name of democracy, and to illustrate an abstrac-
tion, which the very fiat of nature has emphati-
cally declared, cannot be reduced to a thorough-
ly practical application within our limits, with-
out doing the grossest injustice to more than one
half of the State, and without direct and open
hostility to that exalted principle which should
not only pervade every government, but so frame
it, that no individual should go unprotected—no
interest unsecured or uncherished. Maryland is
unlike any other commonwealth in the confede-
racy. Principles that may be followed to their
extremes elsewhere, cannot by our very confor-
mity beadopted here without the most manifest
and clear impropriety. The great State of Penn-
sylvania that lies as a huge giant upon our fron-
tier, can entertain no such fears of local tyranny
as from our less fortunate situation, must, unless
wisely guarded against, ever be properly and le-
gimately apprehended by us. Her immense ter-
ritory—her dense population—her antagonistic
interests, her numerous and expanding cities,
each occupying a position to balance and restrain
the others, all ensure the harmony and justice of
her administration. The mighty empire State may
also indulge the doctrine of numbers to its broad-
est extent for though she holds the emporium of
the western world, with its teeming myriads
within her limits, the millions other citizens be-
yond its influence effectually frees her from any
danger. Not so, however, with us. In our midst,
one solitary commericial city is towering in gran-
deur above all others, and rising with unexam-
pled and unequaled rapidity to magnificence,
prosperity and power. I rejoice that such is ill-
deed the fact. I would see her in the very van
of every successful commercial enterprise—lead-
ing the way to wealth and opulence. I would
see her numbers increasing—her area extending;
her gorgeous palaces daily ascending. There, is
within me no feeling of hostility toward that
growing and hospitable community. As a Mary-
lander, I share with them in their just and hon-
est pride, and glory in their brilliant career. Hut
sir, there are others besides the denizens of this
favored region—and they are looking anxiously
to the instrument we are now trailing for that se-
curity and independence which their moral and
and numerical condition will no longer afford.
We cannot if we would shut our eyes to the con-
sequences nut seen in the far off and dim vista of
the future—but even now close at band. We are
divided into three grand divisions—the commer-
cial—the grain growing and mineral—and that
which is solely a planting or agricultural. Two
of these great interests are already united by ar-
tificial constructions, and by the strong bond of
natural affinity—the other consisting entirely of
small counties is left isolate and dissevered, and
as in all time past unaided. Without some Con-
stitutional restraint the agricultural section must
become a mere colony, entirely subservient to
the others. Tell me not then that we are obsti-
nate in clinging to our present political power,
when reason and justice and the very interests of
self-preservation so eminently demand it. Deny
us whatever else you choose—refuse the assist |
