resistance to the Constitution and Laws could hardly he ex-
pected to facilitate them in resuming the privileges of citi-
zenship, which they have deliberately abandoned. In the
meantime, they have no just right, in any fair view of their
existing relations, to complain of the hardships of a law
which they have themselves deliberately provoked, and which
intended no more than to place the Government of the State,
at a time of imminent danger, in the hands of its loyal de-
fenders. Are they not the legitimate guardians and deposi-
taries of its power?
The Repeal of the Registration Act, in my judgment, will
not materially benefit any class of voters who have been
heretofore disfranchised under its provisions. The Oath of
Allegiance prescribed by the Constitution, makes it incum-
bent upon the Judges of Election, to do substantially what
the Registers are required to do under a fair and proper in-
terpretation of their powers. As the Executive of the State,
I do not feel authorized to recommend a repudiation, by the
Legislature, of the organic law of your State, by any radical
modification of the terms of the Registration Act. To ulcer
or amend the Constitution, upon which this Act rests, would
require the sanction of the qualified voters of the State. The
regular stated meeting of the General Assembly under the
Constitution, takes place in January next. The Delegates
who will compose that body may be expected to represent the
wishes of the people upon this subject, as the agitation now
going forward will show its results in the ensuing fall elec-
tions. No other practical mode of dealing with this question
occurs to my mind than by its reference to the Representa-
tives of the people, who shall compose that body, who, com-
ing fresh from their constituencies, will be prepared to reflect
the public sentiment in any action which may be deemed
prudent and advisable.

FEDERAL RELATIONS—RECONSTRUCTION—NEGRO
SUFFRAGE.

The successful close of the rebellion suggests to the State
o+ Maryland a careful review of her Federal relations, In
the midst of an administration, unparalleled for its modera-
tion, and the brilliancy of its results (not the least important
feature of which was the enfranchisement of the country from
the degrading stain of slavery) we were called to lament the
loss of the representative man, who had been selected as the
chosen leader of the people—struck down by the hand of an
assassin. With no blot to dim the record of his great fame,
he was relieved at the threshold of labors, more formidable
and perplexing than those through which he had borne him-
self with such manly fortitude, just as he was about to turn
aside from the bloody field of civil strife, which he had been