to express feelings which I say none but a
savage can entertain, a desire to see fire and
fagot applied to my own kith and kin, to the
children of my own blood. Sir, I will never
do that while God grants me reason and
common feeling.
I wish, therefore, to say to the gentleman
that it is that character of the resolution
which I regret. If the majority here think
it important to express the sympathy and
feeling of patriotic attachment to the Union
on the part of this Convention, I have not
the slightest objection to it. All I rose at
first to say was that a vote upon this subject
placed gentlemen like myself in a predica-
ment which they could not escape; and which
taking either born of the dilemma, necessa-
rily subjected them to remarls, suspicion,
surmises, censures, calumnies, slanders, if you
please, which they would desire to avoid. I
desire as ardently as anybody can, and
would as gladly see, this whole Union once
more restored, and once again a united peo-
ple. I have said so on all occasions. I do
not desire to say I have no sympathy with
the South. I have relations, the nearest and
dearest, in that country, in whose welfare I
feel as much interest as if they were this side
of the Potomac. I am, therefore, gratified,
and feel myself bound lo say so to the two
gentlemen from Baltimore city (Messrs. Stir-
ling and Cushing) for the consideration they
show, in doing a thing which they think
proper, by doing it in a way not offensive to
others.
Mr. BELT. I move to amend the resolution
byadding the following:
"Provided, however, that nothing berein
contained shall be taken to indorse any other
theory of the existing war than that expressed
in the resolution of Congress, of July, 1861 ;
wherein the war is declared to be prosecuted,
not in any spirit of oppression, or tor any
purpose of conquest or subjugation, or pur-
pose of overthrowing or interfering with the
rights or established institutions of any of
the States, but to detend and maintain the
supremacy of the Constitution, and to pre-
serve the Union with all the dignity, equality
and rights of the several States unimpaired;
and that as soon as those objects are accom-
plished the war ought to cease."
Mr. CHAMBERS. I submit whether, in con-
sideration of the suggestion made by the
gentleman from Baltimore city (Mr Stirling,)
my friend from Prince George's (Mr. Belt)
better not permit the resolution to pass with-
out any interference with it. it is the work
of the majority of the Convention; let them
do as they please; we are not responsible for
it. I hope my friend will withdraw his
amendment.
Mr. BELT. Although I do not think those
who force resolutions of this sort upon us are
entitled to the courtesy of a withdrawal of |
an amendment of this character; still I will
withdraw it on this occasion.
Mr. STIRLING. I do not think it any cour-
tesy at all to withdraw this amendment. On
the contrary, I think the courtesy is extended
to gentlemen on the other side. If they are
deposed to enter into the contest, we are
ready.
Mr. BELT. I will withdraw the amend-
ment. But I wish to give full and fair notice
that if any more of these propositions are
submitted, I shall insist upon some amend-
ment of this character.
Mr. STIRLING, I move the previous ques-
tion; and I wish it distinctly understood
that I hope nobody will call for the yeas and
nays.
The demand for the previous question was
seconded, and the main question was ordered.
The question being then taken, the pream-
ble and resolution were adopted,
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.
The Convention then resumed the consid-
eration of the report of the Committee on
the Legislative Department, which was on its
second reading.
MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL, &C.
The pending question was upon the motion
of Mr. DANIEL to amend section nine, by
striking out the following words ;
" No minister or preacher of the gospel of
any denomination, or of any religious per-
suasion, society, or sect, while he continues
to serve as such; and."
So that the section, if amended, will read
as follows:
"No person holding any civil office of
profit, or profit and trust under this State,
shall be eligible to the office of senator or
delegate''
Mr. CHAMBERS. The proposition to amend,
as I understand it, is based upon the theory
that members of the clergy are proper per-
sons to be members of? the House of Delegates
or of the Senate. I have long since formed
and expressed an opinion upon the subject.
The people of the State have long entertained
the same opinion. This is no new feature in
our Constitution. It is sanctified, by lime
and experience. If persons competent to be
members of the Legislature were so few in
number that we were obliged to call in this
class to fill up the gap, there would be some
propriety in permitting them to hold seats in
the Legislature. But while there are so many
hundreds and thousands quite as much, per-
haps very much more, competent to serve in
the Legislature, while these gentlemen have
opportunities for action vastly more in con-
formity with the purposes of their Creator,
I think it is very unwise now to change the
existing rule of our Constitution.
The minister of the gospel, by his own
profession, is called by the Holy Spirit to |
