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While we could not possibly satisfy all
Marylanders in every respect with a single
document, we have produced in my opinion
a sound constitution which will satisfy a
majority of Marylanders on most points.
The document was carefully conceived and
required hours of patient deliberation. It
is a blend of the variety of viewpoints
and experiences represented at this Con-
vention. I feel confident as I express my
wholehearted approval for this Constitu-
tion, with my signature, that a vast ma-
jority of Maryland citizens this May 14
will likewise approve this document with
their votes.
It is fitting that the drafting and sign-
ing of this new state charter should take
place in Maryland's historic State House.
Over 180 years ago the Old Senate Cham-
ber witnessed the signing of another his-
toric document, the Peace of Paris, which
ended the Revolution and gave the thirteen
colonies their independence. A few years
later from this State House the Annapolis
Convention issued the call to the states
which led to the framing of the United
States Constitution.
Maryland was a leader in the formation
of the government of the United States.
In keeping with this tradition of leader-
ship, Maryland today is in the forefront
of a movement to improve our state gov-
ernments by rewriting the antiquated con-
stitutions which are hampering the ability
of our states to tackle effectively the prob-
lems of this century. Many states are
watching us closely for encouragement in
their own efforts to redraft their inade-
quate state charters.
Within a few hours our work here will
be completed, and for my part I am per-
suaded that Ave have produced a good,
sound, reasonable basic law for the people
of Maryland. Ah yes, I have had some
doubts about parts, as I suspect most — if
not all — of you have.
But when I am assailed by these doubts,
as I have been a few times, I am reminded
of a moving and dramatic event that oc-
curred in the early years of our Republic.
It was in Philadelphia in 1787, and a
little band of statesmen had just com-
pleted, much as we have now, a final draft
of a document — a document that later was
to be hailed as one of the greatest ever
forged by human being, our own federal
Constitution.
At that time, on September 17, 1787,
there were grave misgivings and serious
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doubts among the group. And of those who
entertained some doubts was one Benjamin
Franklin, then 81 years of age, with a
career already behind him that had not
been, and still has not been, excelled in the
history of our nation.
The venerable Doctor Franklin con-
fessed that there were parts of the docu-
ment he did not approve — and I think this
has been quoted on the floor of our Con-
vention by a delegate a few weeks ago,
but I believe it bears repeating on this
occasion, and I quote from him —
"But I am not sure," he said, "I shall
never approve them. For having lived
long, I have experienced many instances
of being obliged by better information or
full consideration, to change opinions,
even on important subjects, which I
once thought right but found to be other-
wise.
"In these sentiments, Sir" — I am still
quoting — "I agree to this Constitution
with all its faults, if they are such, be-
cause I think a general government
necessary for us. I doubt, too, whether
any other convention we can obtain may
be able to make a better Constitution.
For when you assemble a number of
men, to have the advantage of their
joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble
with those men all their prejudices, their
passions, their errors of opinion, their
local interests, and their selfish views.
From such an assembly can a perfect
production be expected? It therefore
astonishes me, Sir, to find this system
approaching so near to perfection as it
does....... Thus, I consent to this Consti-
tution, Sir, because I expect no better,
and because I am not sure that it is not
the best.
"On the whole, Sir," he said, "I can-
not help expressing a wish that every
member of the Convention who may still
have objections to it, would, with me on
this occasion, doubt a little of his own
infallibility — and to make manifest our
unanimity, put his name to this instru-
ment."
When one's memory spans as many dec-
ades as did Doctor Franklin's — and as does
mine — it is a little hard to maintain a
stance of infallibility, of perfect rectitude,
of certain righteousness. One at that stage
has too many recollections of views once
held to be unassailable which later proved
to be in error, of thoughts once held sacred
which proved ultimately to be unsound.
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