filial affection; and we must resist the at-
tempt of its own citizens to destroy it, with
the same feelings that we should avert the
dagger of the parricide."
The chapter and work conclude with a
quotation from the valedictory address of
Washington, urging the preservation and the
perpetuation of the Union.
Upon this valedictory address of Washing-
ton, it may be remarked, that his arguments
for Union are addressed to the reason, the af-
fections, and the interest of all the people.
He says: "With slight shades of difference,
yon have the same religion, manners, habits,
and political principles. You have in a com-
mon cause fought and triumphed together;
the independence and liberty yon possess, are
the work of joint counsels and joint efforts, of
common dangers, sufferings and successes.
" But these considerations, however pow-
erfully they address themselves to your sensi-
bility, are greatly outweighed by those which
apply more immediately to your interest.
Here every portion of our country finds the
most commanding motives for carefully guard-
ing and preserving the Union of the whole."
He nowhere suggests that when all these
motives fail, an attempt was to be made to
preserve the Union by force of arms!
The further consideration of the subject was
informally postponed.
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
The PRESIDENT. The Chair will call the
attention of the Convention to the fact that
we have no Sergeant-at-Arms. The person
appointed to that office, left yesterday with
members of the Convention, and the Chair
has received from him to-day the following
telegram: "Imperative business detains me
—please excuse—down in the morning." I
understand from the Chairman of the Con-
vention, that he has absented himself with-
out leave. He has absented himself on various
occasions without leave, and subsequently
addressed telegrams to the President to be
excused. It is for the Convention to deter-
mine what action they will take.
Mr. ABBOTT submitted the following order :
Ordered, That John T. Wright be appoint-
ed temporary Sergeant-at-Arms,
Mr. SCOTT. I will content myself with
voting for the order just as it is for the pres-
ent; but, under other circumstances, I should
move to strike out "temporary" and insert
"permanent." But I do not see with what
consistency members of this Convention can
proceed so summarily against a delinquent
officer, when so many of its own members
take liberties just as unwarranted. Gentle-
men come here and vote for two sessions a
day, and for any amount of railroad speed;
but when we meet here in the afternoon, we
find ourselves without a quorum, and without
an officer to enforce the rules of the House.
It reminds me of the leniency I always felt |
towards the little school boys playing truant
when bigger ones took the same liberties.
Unless we can enforce discipline among our-
selves, I am for extending leniency towards
delinquent officers. But I believe we ought
to enforce discipline in all cases in future;
and if the Sergeant-at-Arms or any other offi-
cer shall absent himself in future without first
obtaining leave, I shall move to displace him
and make & permanent appointment in his
stead. And I hope the members will feel it
incumbent upon them to devote their time
and attention more assiduously to their duties.
Only this morning a gentleman from Balti-
more city objected to limiting the time of de-
bate, because the order did not suit members
wishing to go to Baltimore. Is it possible
that it is of more importance that members
should go to Baltimore everyday, is it more
important to the people of Maryland, than
that they should attend to the business they
leave behind? The business of the Conven-
tion must stop because a certain number of
gentlemen want to go to Baltimore at a par-
ticular hour. Can anything be more ridicu-
lous or a greater indignity upon the people who
sent us here and upon the Convention itself?
The order was rejected.
Mr. DANIEL submitted the following order :
Ordered, That any officer of this Conven-
tion hereafter absenting himself without leave
of the President first had and obtained, ex-
cept in case of sickness, shall be dismissed his
place, and that the President of this Conven-
tion shall have the power to appoint a tem-
porary Sergeant-at-Arms for such time as he
may deem best.
On motion of Mr. BARRON
The order was laid upon the table—ayes
35; noes 33.
RECESS.
Mr. HENKLE moved to adjourn until to-
morrow,
The PRESIDENT ruled the motion out of
order, on the ground that the order of the
Convention provided for an afternoon session.
Mr. PUGH and Mr. RIDGELY asked and ob-
tained leave of absence.
Mr. BARRON moved to reconsider the vote
adopting the order for afternoon sessions.
The motion was seconded.
Mr. HEBB moved to adjourn.
The PRESIDENT. A motion to adjourn takes
the Convention over until to-morrow. I un-
derstand that there is a standing order of the
Convention, that during the debate on the
Declaration of Rights there are to be afternoon
sessions, commencing at half-past four.
Mr. HEBB The effect of adjournment will
be to take us to bait-past four.
Mr. BARRON. I move to reconsider that
order. There will be no quorum here.
The PRESIDENT ruled that the motion to
adjourn would be to adjourn until half past
four, in pursuance of the order. |
