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4 are engaged in the peaceful pursuits of industry; and thus, the cause of these enactments being removed, why should not the effects cease? If the provisions of the Constitution are preventive, there being no longer any danger to apprehend, it is nothing short of oppression to continue them, and if they are punitive, they are clearly illegal and void under the decision of the Court of Appeals. We cannot believe the disfranchisement of our people jus- tifiable, and therefore would say to those who assumed the power in trying times, that if then excusable, a heavy re- sponsibility will rest upon those who persist in denying, with- out reason or justification, the dearest rights of citizenship to a large majority of the people of Maryland. At this auspi- cious period, when the dark clouds that enveloped the country for four long and bloody years are passing- away; when the bright era of unity and peace is dawning upon the Republic; when the wise and generous statesmanship of the President of the United States is receiving the well merited plandits of the civilized world, are the people of Maryland alone to be de- prived of their most valuable privilege for simply exercising the sacred right of conscience? The undersigned cannot believe that the honorable mem- bers of the General Assembly will longer sanction the pro- scriptive clauses of the Constitution, but that they will at once perceive the justice of removing the undue rigor that has been exercised towards so many of their fellow citizens. {Such an act of well-timed justice would, in the opinion of the undersigned, receive the sanction of three-fourths of our peo- ple; greatly conduce to the prosperity of our State, and the restoration of that kindly feeling which should exist among citizens of a common country. All history proves that no government can rest secure upon prospective principles, and that they should participate in the exercise of political power who have great and endearing interests to provide for and protect. Let us then draw lessons of political wisdom from the contemplation of the past to guide us to the goal that lies open to our future; and let us firmly assert and maintain those cherished constitutional principles which can alone render our nation great and our people happy. In conclusion, the undersigned desire to present for the consideration of the House, joint resolutions providing for submitting to the registered voters of the State the question as to whether or not the obnoxious clause of the Constitution shall be repealed? We cannot doubt but that, when consid- ering the severe tests of loyalty which those voters have undergone, the gentlemen of the majority will be willing to |
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Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, 1866
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