CONSTITUTION OF MARYLAND.

ADOPTED BY THE CONVENTION

WHICH ASSEMBLED AT THE CITY OF ANNAPOLIS ON THE EIGHTH DAT 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 directing 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 Consti-
tution 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 for-
eigners 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.

See notes to art. 15, sec. 5 of the Md. Constitution.

Art. 3. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Consti-
tution thereof, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States
respectively, or to the People thereof.