CONSTITUTION OF MARYLAND.

ADOPTED BY THE CONVENTION

WHICH ASSEMBLED AT THE CITY OF ANNAPOLIS ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF MAY,
EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SEVEN, AND ADJOURNED ON THE SEVEN-
TEENTH DAY OF AUGUST, EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SEVEN,
AND RATIFIED BY THE PEOPLE ON THE EIGHTEENTH DAY OF
SEPTEMBER, EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SEVEN,
WITH AMENDMENTS.

DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.

We, the people of the State of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for
our civil and religious liberty, and taking into our serious consideration
the best means of establishing a good Constitution in this State for the
sure foundation and more permanent security thereof, declare:.

Article 1. That all Government of right originates from the People,
is founded in compact only, and instituted solely for the good of the whole;
and they have, at all times, the inalienable right to alter, reform or abolish
their form of Government in such manner as they may deem expedient.

This article referred to in holding that the writ of mandamus might issue direct-
ing the Governor to issue a commission and administer the oath to the candidate
receiving the highest number of votes for attorney-general. Groome v. Gwinn, 43
Md. 636 (concurring opinion).

Art. 2. The Constitution of the United States, and the Laws made

or which shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all Treaties made, or

which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, are and

shall be the Supreme Law of the State; and the Judges of this State, and

all the People of this State, are, and shall be bound thereby, anything

in the Constitution or Law of this State to the contrary notwithstanding.

A construction of the Maryland Constitution by the court of appeals of Maryland

will not be reversed by the United States 'supreme court, in the absence of a

federal question. Hannis Distilling Co. v. Baltimore. 216 U. S. 285.

The decisions of the supreme court of the United States construing the Federal
Constitution and acts of the congress pursuant thereto, are conclusive. Wilson v.
Turpin, 5 Gill, 58; Howell v. State, 3 Gill, 14.

The state courts must obey and respect treaties made under the authority of
the United States. Courts are not required, however, to give a strained construction
to the language of a treaty or place an unreasonable interpretation upon it in
order to secure to foreigners privileges denied citizens of this country. Question
of right of consul of a foreign power to administer on the estate of a non-resident
decedent. Chyssikos v. Demarco, 134 Md. 535.

This article referred to in construing art. 1, secs. 1 to 5, of the Md. Constitution—
see notes thereto. Anderson v. Baker, 23 Md. 606.