one word would have fallen from my lips, had
it not been for the remarks of the gentleman
from Frederick (Mr. Thomas). I was rather
gratified at the manner in which that gentleman
apoke of the Eastern Shore and its inhabitants
some weeks ago, because, having taken a tour
through that interesting section of the State, he
knew something about it.
With those who apeak disparagingly of it, I
sympathize more than I feel offended—I rather
pity than feel offended at their ignorance, and
for their better information will tell them—
it is the land, of every land the pride,
Beloved by heaven o'er all the world beside ;
A land of beauty, virtue, valor, truth,
Time-tutored age, and love-exalted youth ;
When brighter suns dispense serener light,
And milder moons imparadise the night ;
The wandering mariner, whose eye explores
The wealthiest isles, the most enchanting shores,
Views not a realm so beautiful and fair,
Nor breathes the spirit of a purer air;
Oh! thou shalt find, howe'er thy footsteps roam,
That land thy country, and that spot thy home.
The gentleman from Frederick has told the
house, that he had consulted with gentlemen
from the Eastern Shore upon the subject of his
gubernatorial divisions, and they were approved
by them. The gentleman from Kent (Mr.
Chambers) promptly disclaims any such consul-
tation, and I am very certain there has been
none with this wing of it. The gentleman has
been quite select in the choice of his company.
As a matter of taste I have nothing to object,
but if it is intended to convey the idea that none
other than those consulted are worthy of being
advised with, I have only to say that I claim to
represent as high-minded, as intelligent, and as
independent a people as ever lived in the tide
of time.
In the preceding portion of my remarks, Mr.
President, I traced the practice and usages of
this government in relation to the election of its
governors: that they were taken alternately
from each shore until the year 1836, when the
spirit of innovation, stalking abroad throughout
the land led to the division of the state into
three gubernatorial districts, the Eastern Shore
composing one, and the Western Shore two of
those districts. In this change the Eeastern
Shore lost one third. It is now proposed by the
gentleman from Frederick to divide the state into
four districts, one on the Eastern and three on the
Western Shore. No, sir, it is worse than that;
as though she had not suffered wrongs enough al-
ready, but the last ounce is to be added to the
camel's back—she is to be denied the poor priv-
ilege of even constituting one of the four dis-
tricts. Harford is to be tacked on to her.—
Thus, losing her identity, she is to become
"small by degrees, and beautifully less," until
her weight and influence evaporate, and she is
finally swallowed up bodily.
The gentleman in his argument the other day
urged that it was right and proper that Balti-
more city should constitute a district because of
her peculiar interest being separate and distinct
from the other portions of the state. What be- |
comes of that argument? When, I ask, why
Harford should be attached to the Eastern Shore?
What affinity or connection have they? The
truest teat of a principle is to be found in the
universality of its application. Apply the rule
here and tell me why the Eastern Shore should
not remain as intact as Baltimore city.
Attempts have been made to produce the im-
pression that there are those in this Convention
who are prejudiced against and inimical to the
prosperity of that rapidly increasing and beau-
tiful city. If there be any such in this assem-
bly, I have no communion with them. Within
her limits I am proud to recognize many val-
ued friends and relatives; and if it were other-
wise, her wide walks encompass not one man,
woman or child whose happiness I would not
gladly promote. I would rejoice that her can-
vas whitened every sea, and her enterprise filled
her coffers with the rich fruits of her expanding
commerce. The same sentiments inspire my
breast towards every other section of our State.
Nor is there any incompatibility between them
and a firm adherence to the rights, and an un-
shaken devotion to the interest of my own, my
native shore. He that provides not for his own
household has denied the faith, and is worse
than an infidel.
In addition to the wrong contemplated in this
bill, by a vote of this body a few days ago, this
portion of your State was shorn of one tenth of
her relative influence in the House of Delegates.
This was the unkindest cut of all; for several
of her own sons aided in the infliction of the
fatal blow by which she fell, to rise, it may be,
no more for ever. By the change in the appor-
tionment of delegates in 1836, she lost four; by
the present she is to be divested of seven; and
thus, in every turn of the wheel of this political
lottery, we plainly see she is doomed to be the
loser. I gave no aid nor countenance to the
paricidal deed. My skirts are clear. I have
done my utmost to stay the uplifted hand of the
executioner, and save my country from political
annihilation.
But, sir, the lights of a new era have dawned
upon our hitherto benighted visions. This age
of progress, replete with modern Latons, has
at length discovered that the wisdom of our
fathers in giving stability to our institutions is
nothing short of sheer folly and stupidity; as if
change and revolution, without regard to im-
provement, were of themselves the very essence
of good government, we are to have a convoca-
tion similar to the present once in every ten
years. Labitur et labetur in omne volubilis ovum.
By the provisions of the old constitution, un-
der which we have lived and prospered for
more than seventy years, it is prudently arran-
ged, that when any alteration is proposed to be
made in the organic law, such alteration shall
be first submitted to the people, who, with a
full knowledge of all the tacts, will be enabled
discreetly to select delegates for the ratification
or rejection of the proposed change, without
incurring any additional expense beyond the
cost of an ordinary session of the Legislature.
Under the new regime, this cannot be the case; |
