12

In January, 1862, the Legislature of Maryland adopted a
preamble and resolutions in reference to the war. They de-
clared, "this war is prosecuted by the Nation with but one
object, that, namely: of a restoration of the Union just as it
was when the rebellion broke out. . The rebellious States are
to be brought back to their places in the Union without
change or diminution of their constitutional rights. In the
language of the resolution adopted by both Houses of Con-
gress, at its extra session in July last, with remarkrble unani-
mity, this war is declared to be prosecuted not in any spirit
of oppression, or for any purpose of conquest or subjugation,
or purpose of overthrowing or interfering with the right, or
established institutions of those States; but to defend and
maintain the supremacy of the Constitution, and to preserve
the Union with all the dignity, equality and rights of the
several States unimpaired, and that as soon as those objects
are accomplished, the war ought to cease." And resolved as
follows, viz: "IV. Resolved, that Maryland is ready to fulfil
all her constitutional obligations to the General Government,
as a loyal State of the Union, and desires that the integrity
of the Union may be preserved and the supremacy of the Con-
stitution restored."

Subsequently, during the progress of the war, its object
was modified so as to include the abolition of slavery by con-
stitutional amendment. The amendment was proposed by
two-thirds of both Houses of Congress, as then constituted,
eleven States having by their own act withdrawn their repre-
sentatives. Those States, after the close of the war, and the
re-organization of their State governments, by their Legisla-
tures, ratified the amendment. The thirty-ninth Congress,
recognized those State governments as legal by accepting the
ratification of the amendment by their Legislatures, and
claiming and exercising the power to pass "the civil rights
bill," and "Freedman's Bureau bill," in virtue of that
amendment.

The faith of the Federal Government and of the State of
Maryland was thus most selemnly pledged to the Southern
States and to the world, down to the close of the war, that
its object was "to defered and maintain the supremacy of the
Constitution, and to preserve the Union, with all the digni-
ty, equality and rights of the several States unimpaired, and
that as soon as those objects should be accomplished, the war
ought to cease."

Whatever view of their duty in this regard, may be taken
by those now entrusted with the power of the Federal Gov-
ernment, the Legislature of Maryland cannot hesitate to
assert the purpose of the State, to the utmost of her ability,
to maintain her faith inviolate before the world.

We are therefore clearly of the opinion that the amend-
ment in question having been proposed by two thirds of a