that claiming simply equality? How now about
the school fund. Have we not claimed that a
free white child in Baltimore is as much to be
educated out of the treasury, as if the child re-
sided in Calvert or Caroline? We only contended
for an equitable distribution of the school fund;
we claimed equity and equality out of the com-
mon treasury.
The gentleman says, in the name of liberty, in
the name of equality, how many crimes are com-
mitted, land that if it were not for demagogues,
it the people were let alone, they would be per-
fectly quiet and reconciled. Upon the same ar-
gument, he might induce people who were sub-
jects of a despot to remain quiet and submit to a
happy and beneficial condition. Whether the
people are oppressed or not. if I have not equal
rights, I will contend to the last drop of my
blood, if necessary, upon the abstract principle of
equality, and no denunciation of demagogues,
or rebukes for attempting to raise the banner of
equal rights will ever deter me, and I hope will
never deter any one from carrying that banner
until triumph shall perch upon it. The gentle-
man says, that we desired a general ticket for
the election of judges of the Court of Appeals.
Why not have a general ticket, why was there
go meagre a vote for it? Owing to the eloquence
of the gentlemen, who rise up here and cry out,
"party." In what State is the Court of Appeals
elected, unless by general ticket? in every State
of the Union, except Kentucky where the Court of
Appeals is elected by the people, it is done by
general ticket, is there not a principle that when
the judges of the Court of Appeals are judges
over the whole State, that they should be elected
by general ticket? Ah! but the tremendous power
of Baltimore city must be guarded against, or they
might elect a court upon this Democratic princi-
ple. Why did the gentleman vote to elect the
clerks of the counties by the people, and yet vote
against the election of the clerks of the Court of
Appeals by the people? No! that clerk must be
appointed by the judges of the Court of Appeals?
The just principle established by this Constitu-
tion, that the judges, clerks and registers shall
be elected by the people must be thwarted when
we come to the high and dignified office of the
clerk of the Court of Appeals. Why is this?
Because, if the general ticket shall be adopted,
the vote of Baltimore city might elect that offi-
cer. I ask the gentleman to reconcile these
things, and give some reason for their occurrence.
I cannot account for it, except by referring it to
the hatred, jealously and distrust of Baltimore
city.
Mr. SOLLERS, by unanimous consent, rose to
reply to the remarks of Mr. BRENT, and said:—
I have but few observations to make. The gen-
tleman charges me with having spoken disre-
spectfully and harshly of Baltimore city.
Mr. BRENT. I did not. I have not charged
the gentleman as speaking disrespectfully and
harshly of Baltimore city. I say that the head
and front of her offence is, that she has contend-
ed for equality and equity.
Mr. SOLLERS. That is the issue. Will the |
gentleman tell me what he means by equity?
Will he answer me what he means by equal rep-
resentation? Did his colleages agree with him
in the position he assumed here?
Mr. BRENT. All of them. They voted for
representation based upon population.
Mr. SOLLERS. I ought not to say any thing
upon that subject, for it was merely a quarrel
between the delegation from Baltimore city. It
was a most memorable one, and I shall not for-
get it. But I have not said one word against
Baltimore city. I would not care if it were
blotted out from the map of Maryland. So help
me heaven, I say so. I do not understand, nor
can I comprehend, these magnificent eulogies
passed upon Baltimore city. It is Baltimore
city, "Baltimore city"—this is the cry from one
day to another. I do not know why she deserves
these enormous compliments constantly paid
her here. I know she is the great absorber of
all the wealth and of all the labor of Maryland.
There is no man, woman or child, in the State,
but does not contribute to it by the sweat of his
brow. What have we done for Baltimore city?
In 1835, we agreed to pour out, in the form of
taxes, our very heart's blood to sustain the great
commercial interests of that city. Tell me, if
you can, what interest, what advantage, have
we gained from the enormous appropriations
made for works of internal improvements, and
solely for the benefit of the city of Baltimore.
Answer me that question honestly. And when
the tax-gatherer comes around, and wrings from
us our hard earnings, we are building up palaces
as high as high heaven, for the benefit of the
aristocratic gentlemen of Baltimore city. These
are truths. They say that they pay half the
taxes of the State, I deny it. They do not pay
one dollar, and I can demonstrate it to any sen-
sible man. Every single dollar they have ap-
propriated for works of internal improvement
and their commercial interest and prosperity,
has been trebled, more than trebled; and whit
did it? The works of internal improvement.
Who paid for them? We. What have we re-
ceived? Nothing. The productions of the wes-
tern country are brought into competition with
our earnings, and all for Baltimore city!
This tremendous absorber appropriates to it-
self the whole wealth, energy, labor, and pro-
ductive interests of the State, and yet if we say
any thing against Baltimore city, we are to be
answered that the spirit of fire—to which the
gentleman alluded—
Mr. BRENT. When did I use that expression?
Mr. SOLLERS. Some beautiful quotation which
the gentleman used, but which I have forgotten.
I thought he alluded to the Baltimore battalion.
I was certain he had them in his mind. [Laugh-
ter.] Can we do nothing, say nothing to de-
fend ourselves, unless we are charged with
injuring Baltimore city? Let us alone—let us
stay where our fathers put us. We ask nothing.
We sometimes ask bank accommodations, and
get them too. (Laughter.) |
