116 RESOLUTIONS,

NUMBER 14.

RESOLUTIONS appertaining to the Federal Relations of the State of Maryland.

WHEREAS, we hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are
created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
inalienable rights ; that amongst these are life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted
among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the gov-
erned.; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive
of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and
to institute a new government, laying its foundations on such prin-
ciples, and organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem

most likely to effect their safety and happiness ; and

WHEREAS, the doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary power and
oppression is absurd, slavish and destructive of the good and happi-
ness of mankind; and

WHEREAS, standing armies are dangerous to liberty, and ought not to
be raised or kept up without the consent of the Legislature ; and

WHEREAS, in all eases and at all times the military ought to be under
strict subordination to, and control of the civil power, and that the
people of this State ought to have the sole and exclusive right of
regulating the internal, government and police thereof; and that in
all criminal prosecutions, every man hath a right to be informed of
the accusation against him, to have a copy of the indictment or charge
in due time (if required) to prepare for his defence, to be allowed
counsel, to be confronted with the witnesses against him, to have pro-
cess for his witnesses, to examine the witnesses for and against him
on oath, and to a speedy trial by an impartial jury, without whose
unanimous consent he ought not to be found guilty; and

WHEREAS; the Constitution of the United States declares that Congress
shall have power to declare war, to raise and support armies ; that
the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended,
unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may
require it," nor then unless by Congress. "That a well regulated
militia being necessasy to security of a free State, the right of the
people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed," that "the
right of the people to be secure in their houses, persons, papers and
effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be vio-
lated, and no warrant shall issue but upon probable causes, supported
by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be
searched and the persons or things to be seized; and

WHEREAS, Maryland is yet a State in the Union, submitting peaceably
to the Federal Government, yet nevertheless, the President has raised
and quartered large standing armies upon her territory, has occupied
the houses of her citizens without their consent, has made the mili-
tary superior to, and above the civil power, has assumed to regulate
the internal police and government of the State, has seized upon and
appropriated our railroads and telegraphs, has seized and searched
our vessels, has forcibly opened our houses, has deprived our people

of their arms, has seized and transported our citizens to other States