a man; and when I do it I fake the responsibility
of my own actions without regard to
the gentleman or his conclusions. I leave
the gentleman then with all his accumulated
wisdom, and I bid him study Solomon alittle
more deeply before he brings it again into this
Convention,
Mr. ABBOTT, Mr. President—
The PRESIDENT. The Chair will not per-
mit this debate any further. The Chair is ad-
monished by this occurrence of the necessity
of requiring gentlemen strictly to observe the
parliamentary rule.
Mr. BRISCOE. I desire to suggest that this
debate—
The PRESIDENT. Not another solitary word
will the Chair permit on this subject. Each
gentleman has had a fair opportunity to he
heard; and if this personal debate is allowed
to proceed farther, it is impossible to foresee
to what it may lead. When a gentleman
thinks his private character hag been assailed,
the Chair will give him a fair opportunity to
beheard within the limits of parliamentary
debate; and will permit the gentleman to
whom he refers to explain. Beyond that he
will not permit any discussion. If the Con-
vention otherwise direct, the Chair will per-
mit the discussion to continue; but in the ab-
sence of such instructions, being the conser-
vator of the peace and of the rights and honor
of every member, to a certain extent, be re-
gards it as his duly to interpose at this junc-
ture,
Mr. JONES, of Somerset, it is very far from
my purpose to take any part in this debate,
but I wish to say a word or two by way of
restoring, I trust, the proper relations be-
tween all parties in this house, in requesting
the parlies immediately concerned that such
an arrangements may be made that no part of
this debate may appear upon our record. I
think in after time gentlemen will regret that
such a record should be left. If the gentle-
man from Baltimore city takes serious excep-
tion to the playful allusions to him made by
the gentleman from Prince George's in his
former speech, I trust that the gentleman
from Prince George's will consent that that
portion of his remarks may besuppressed, and
that this whole matter may be withdrawn.
Mr. BRISCOE. I second that. It was what
I intended to suggest,
Mr. JONES, of Somerset. I am very certain
from my knowledge' of the kindly feelings of
the gentleman from Prince George's (Mr.
Berry, )I understood that the allusions be
made were playful, he having disclaimed any
personality, and I supposed they would be
taken to be mere badinage—
The PRESIDENT. The gentleman cannot
proceed. It is for the determination of the
Convention whether this discussion shall be
omitted from the debates.
Mr. Jones, of Somerset, moved that this de-
bate be omitted from the record of the debates |
The PRESIDENT. The whole debate, com-
mencing with the remarks of the gentleman
from Baltimore city"
Mr. ABBOTT. Leaving upon the record the
previous remarks referring to me? I hope not.
Mr. HATCH I should object to that. I
hope this will all be entered upon the journal
of debates.
The PRESIDENT. The Chair has no discre-
tion but to put the motion as it is submitted.
Does the motion of the gentleman embrace
that portion of the remarks before made by
the gentleman from Prince George's (Mr.
Berry) to which exception is taken?
Mr. BERRY, of Prince George's. I stated,
sir, at the time, that I did not intend to offend
the gentleman. He has made an attack upon
me this morning, I deny that I have ever
made an attack upon him. I do not mean
that my remarks shall be suppressed. I have
already stated my position before this Con-
vention, and I hope this Convention will let
me as a member of this body exercise that
right in that respect which is due to every
member here. We have a stenographer to
report whatever transpires by way of debate;
and I say that as a humble member Of this
body I have aright if I think proper to have
published such remarks at all times as I may
submit to this Convention. I hope, therefore,
that this right may not be curtailed by any
vote of the Convention.
Mr. JONES, of Somerset. If there is any
objection upon the part of the gentleman, I
withdraw the motion.
Mr. BILLINGSLEY asked and obtained leave
of absence.
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS—ABOLITION OF SLAVERY.
The Convention proceeded to the considera-
tion of the order of the day, being the second
reading of the Declaration of Rights. The
next article for consideration was the follow-
ing, which was read:
Art. 23, " Hereafter, in this State, there
shall be neither slavery nor involuntary ser-
vitude, except in punishment of crime,
whereof the party shall have been duly con-
victed; and all persons held to service or la-
bor, as slaves, are hereby declared free."
Mr. VALLIANT. There may be some impro-
priety in my opening the debate, inasmuch as
I am a member of the majority and coincide
in opinion with the committee who reported
this article. I should not have attempted to
secure the floor this morning, had it not been
for the single consideration that my health tor
the last five or six days has become very much
impaired, and I feel the necessity of absenting
myself from this convention for a few days
for the purpose of placing myself under medi-
cal treatment. I therefore desire to say what
I have to say now, that it may not be neces-
sary for me to remain here to submit my
views at any time hereafter.
When I left my quiet little home on the
banks of Miles river for the purpose of meet- |
