latent, backstair purpose, in giving this vote.
I disclaim now and forever any such purpose.
I repudiate the suggestion of any motive other
than that these gentlemen think they can
obtain justice by. this process. I desire to say
that I halve taken no interest in it be anise I
was hopeless of justice, so far as any particu-
lar part of the State was concerned. I desired
to give them an opportunity, because they
supposed it would be of some advantage,
And I therefore vote against the postpone-
ment, " no."
Mr. DENT said: I am not in the habit of
explaining any vote which lam about to give
at any time; but as it has been intimated, I
supported the proposition for the purpose of
ascertaining facts which we considered im-
portant for our section of the State to relieve
us from what might be considered an oppres-
sive drain upon our population. As it has
been said that it would be a concession upon
the part of the majority towards the minority,
to afford them the opportunity asked for,
I must say that I repudiate it entirely as a
concession. It never is a concession to ac-
cord justice and right—never. It is one of
the matters which minorities have a right to
demand. Majorities can enforce them; mi-
norities have lo ask for them, and we have
asked for it. The opportunity will be de-
nied us, I suppose, by the prevalence of the
motion which has been made to dispose of
tills matter; out I shall vole " no."
Mr. HEBB said: I offered the amendment
in good faith, intending to vote for the
proposition as amended; but for the reasons
80 well set forth by the president, I vote
"aye."
Mr. JONES, of Somerset, said: The gen-
tleman from Kent (Mr. Chambers) has ex-
pressed my sentiments very well on this sub-
ject. I knew nothing in the world of the
proposition until it was submitted, nor have
I heard anything outside of the house with
reference to it. All that I know of it has been
said upon this floor,' In fact I saw very little
difference between sending a committee, and
sending a letter, and should have preferred
the amendment of the gentleman from Alle-
gany, except that I did not think it was of
sufficient importance to interfere with the
proposition as made by the gentleman from
Prince George's (Mr. Berry,) not varying the
language, but being only another mode to
effect the same purpose. I should have been
very much gratified to adopt either mode,
personally, although sending written com-
munications hits been most usual. The gov-
ernor has certainly been in correspondence
with the federal government upon ibis ques
tion. What has transpired we do not know
The governor is under no obligation, and it
would not perhaps be proper for him, to
communicate to us the information without
being asked. The idea of there being a ma
jority and a minority of the convention upon |
such a subject as this, is one which I an.
sorry to hear. This is a question which con-
cerns the quota of Mary land; and is there
any portion of Maryland, any county of Ma-
ryland, that has so fallen under the bun as to
toe unworthy of putting an inquiry, and that
the remainder of the State, and the majority
of this house shall he perfectly careless
whether the whole population is swept away
unjustly by the federal army, and the women
and children left to perish with cold and
hunger through the coming winter, or not?
1 wish the information to be given. I am not
particular about the mode. I trust our friends
will agree together upon the mode, and will
permit a respectful note to be addressed to
the governor, and that the governor will
give us the information he may have from
the authorities. I vote "no."
Mr MARBURY. I repudiate the idea that in
supporting"- this order I am influenced by any
unfair motive whatever; cither at first in
introducing this subject, or now in voting
upon it. I considered it a subject in which
the whole State of Maryland, and more
particularly my portion of the State,
were deeply interested. I have been fre-
quently talked to upon this subject. 1
have heard it talked over and over again
for the last five or six months, and have
understood that private individuals had
sought for the information time and time
again, without any success. I thought the
State convention of Maryland, men coming
from all portions of the State, would carry a
great deal more weight in anything they
might present to the consideration of the
government; and that the adoption of this
course would prove much more successful.
But I have derived the consolation from
the defeat of this, that perhaps there will be
another exhibition to the people of Maryland
of the temper of this convention called by
the people to frame a new constitution.
There are some most extraordinary and most
offensive provisions in this constitution, and
they will see in this a manifestation of the same
disposition that incorporated them.
• I beg gentlemen if they have any regard
whatever for fairness, that they will consider
this subject and see if there is anything la-
tent. Let some gentleman here suggest an
idea of anything latent in a proposition of
this sort, and he can at once arouse a preju-
dice against it. I merely desire to get this
information upon which men in this State
can bring their influence to bear. It was
with that object that the subject was first in-
troduced into this convention by myself. 1
vote " no."
Mr. MAYHUGH As I have expressed my
willingness to vote for the proposition as it
stood amended on the motion of the gentle-
man from Allegany, it is necessary for me to
say why it Is that I change my vote. I be-
lieve the order before the convention entirely |
