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lems forced upon us with increasing in-
tensity by the rapidly accelerating increase
in our population, an increase which
threatens to engulf us with its unprece-
dented demands for governmental services.
Have we achieved our goal? Have we
reached our objective?
I think we have.
We have not attempted to legislate. We
have not attempted to solve all the prob-
lems of the present nor those of either the
immediate or the distant future. However,
we have, I believe, provided a structure of
government for our State which can solve
these problems and at the same time we
have stated in simple, but, nevertheless,
very precise terms, those fundamental
rights of our citizens which shall forever
be free from governmental control or re-
striction. In doing so, I believe we have
also avoided the pitfalls which have beset
recent attempts at constitutional revision
in some of our sister states.
We have not drafted a constitution for
labor or for big business, for one religious
group or another, for civil libertarians or
stand-patters, for liberals or conservatives,
for one political party or another, or in-
deed for any one group of citizens. In-
stead, we have drafted a constitution for
the citizens of Maryland, all of them, rich
and poor, black and white, young and old.
In so doing, we have drafted a constitution
which, I am confident, will be ratified over-
whelmingly by the people of Maryland on
May 14, 1968. And this may be regarded
as what Delegate Beachley, very aptly, I
think, describes as the "Annapolis Achieve-
ment."
This result did not just happen. It oc-
curred because 142 very dedicated and
hardworking men and women were deter-
mined that it should happen. High hopes
were expressed for this Convention when
it convened in September, 1967, but I dare-
say there was no one who would have
prophesied then that after four months of
unremitting toil and debate, much of which
could have been so divisive as to cause
scars which would never have healed, this
Convention would have been able to draft
a constitution approved by the nearly
unanimous vote of all the delegates. This
bodes well for the acceptance of the con-
stitution by the people of Maryland and
may be regarded also, I think as a part
of the Annapolis Achievement.
The delegates to this Convention come
from every section of the State, from every
walk of life, from every social strata and
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many different occupations; they have dif-
ferent points of view, different philosophies
of government, different philosophies of
life, different religious beliefs, different ed-
ucational backgrounds. In four months of
day-to-day work on a common objective,
they have learned much of the other fel-
low's point of view and have developed
respect for it without losing their own
point of view. They have talked, but also
have listened, and debated intensely, both
in committee and on the floor of the Con-
vention. All of this has not only resulted in
the establishment of warm friendships, put
in a clearer understanding on the part of
all of them of the problems, the desires,
the interests of the people in different
areas of the State. This is a tremendously
cohesive force for the benefit of the whole
State. It too is a part of the "Annapolis
Achievement."
Last July this Convention honored me
by selecting me as its President. I have,
since then, endeavored to perform the
duties of that high office to the very best
of my ability. Any success that I have
been able to achieve has been due in no
small part to the greatest degree of co-
operation from each and every delegate
that the president of any assembly ever
had. It is the sincerest compliment that
could be paid to me and it is the one I
cherish most. From the bottom of my
heart, I thank you, each and every one.
(The delegates to the Constitutional Con-
vention, the officers, the staff, the press,
and the visitors rose and applauded.)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
All of us have long awaited this moment
when we could have the privilege of hear-
ing the closing address by the Honorary
President of this Convention and the man
who more than any other delegate has
made it possible.
The Chair recognizes Delegate Tawes
and requests that he come forward to the
reading desk.
(The delegates rose and applauded.)
DELEGATE TAWES: Mr. President,
fellow delegates to the 1967-1968 Consti-
tutional Convention of the State of Mary-
land: We are approaching the closing mo-
ments of this historic convention, and be-
fore we reach the hour of adjournment
sine die, I respectfully request your in-
dulgence for a few minutes, as I would
like to leave a few thoughts with you be-
fore we depart for our respective homes
later today.
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