have heard the number estimated at some-
thing like 150,000 or more. Now fail to
adopt such a provision as I propose, as soon
as the people of the United States, already
heavily burdened with taxation, fail to sup-
port that 150,000, they will be compelled to
seek labor; they must live. And will they
not come among us 150 000 strong or more?
And if things are to go on as they have been
going on, the number may reach 300,000;
and the first influx will be into the coun-
ties nearest Washington; Howard, Prince
George's, Montgomery and Washington
counties.
I say, Mr. President, this is one of the
gravest propositions which this body will be
called upon to consider and decide. The ma-
jority of this House may choose to take the
responsibility of smothering this order now,
and prevent it from going to the committee.
I have offered it in all seriousness, that it
might go to a committee in order that we
might have the benefit of their views and the
views of other gentlemen upon it. I do not
care, however, whether it goes to a commit-
tee or not. But before this Convention ad-
journs this article shall be offered by way of
amendment to the report of the committee on
that portion of the Constitution, if I have the
power to do it; and the yeas and nays shall
be called upon it, so that, if the people of this
State are hereafter overrun by this class of
people, they may know who are responsible
tor it. If this State shall be overrun by
thousands and thousands of these people, you
will not only have brought them into compe-
tition with the white man, but you may have
men getting up before the people of this State,
as is now done in the Senate of the United
States, where it is proposed to give to negroes
in Washington city the right of suffrage; you
may have the same proposition made in the
State of Maryland, and made an engine of
political power. I know not whether it is
going to succeed or not. No, sir, the people
of this State are not prepared for it now, and
no man will dare now to avow any such pur-
pose. But there is nothing like stopping
such a thing at the very outset. I propose to
not let these people come here. I propose not
to allow parties, who may hereafter attempt
to control the political destinies of this State,
have that class of people in such strong
numbers to work upon. If they are allowed
to come here, and men, for party political
purposes, succeed in giving them the elective
franchise, and the white men of Maryland be-
come virtually enslaved by the negro voting
for and supporting a particular class of white
men, it will be one of my proudest memories
that pending the consideration of the organic
law of the State, I did what I could to pre-
serve the rights and liberties of white men,
to keep the rights and liberties of white men
under the control of white men; and to keep
the labor of white men at such a standard |
that it could not be brought into competition
with free negro labor; and to prevent the
bringing down of the white man, if not to a
political equality, to at least an economical
level with the negro, where, in order to sus-
tain himself and his family, he will be com-
pelled to work upon the same terms with
the negro,
1 will close toy saying to the gentleman
from Baltimore city, (Mr. Abbott,) that he
may offer what amendments he chooses to the
proposition, which I offered in all seriousness.
This Convention may throw it out or not, as
they choose, now it is here. But this Con-
vention, unless there shall be some rule
adopted here to prevent it, will be brought to
a vote upon this proposition before it adjourns.
Mr. CUSHING. I would like to enquire of
the gentleman from Prince George's, (Mr,
Clarke,) how he proposes to meet a difficulty
which will arise under his first article, in re-
lation to negroes which may be sent, here in
the United States' service, and I would also
like to enquire why the provisions of this
order are made to apply to mulattoes, and not
to quadroons and mestees?
Mr. CLARKE. When I offer an order of this
sort, I do not profess to undertake to arrange
in every respect) articles of the Constitution
as they should finally be adopted. As I said
yesterday, to the gentle ..an from Howard,
(Mr. Sands,) I do not profess that the orders
1 offer are perfectly complete; I came here to
be informed; I want the committee to en-
lighten me if they can. I am willing to adopt
any amendments that may be proper, and
probably will accept any suggestion the gen-
tleman (Mr. Cushing) may make, to except
those in the service of the United States. 1
only want the benefit of the judgment of the
committee, and the reflection of members
upon the proposition. That which I have of-
fered is something for the consideration ra-
ther than a perfect proposition, fur I do not
arrogate to myself the ability to offer such to
this House. •
Mr. CUSHING. The gentleman in the first
part of his order says :
"Ordered, That the Committee on the Leg-
islative Department be instructed to inquire
into tire expediency of inserting the following
articles in the Constitution."
Thereby presupposing that the identical
words of the proposed articles are those which
he desires to have inserted in the Constitu-
tion of Maryland.
Mr. CLARKE. I disclaim any such presup-
position as that.
Mr. CUSHING. While I have no sugges-
tions to make to the gentleman ley way of
amendment; while I have no intention to
propose any amendment myself, and do not
intend to express any opinion upon the pro-
priety or impropriety of referring this to the
committee, still for the purpose of disem-
barrassing the minds of the committee, |
