405]              Constitutional Reform Agitation.                 27

and express for them their views and determinations in
relation to the reform of their constitution, and in primary
meetings have appealed to all men in Maryland, without
distinction of party to rally now upon this important and
vital question; and as in most, if not in all of the States
of this Union, the people by a convention of delegates se-
lected for their patriotism and wisdom, have assembled,
and after calm and mature deliberation amended, remod-
eled, or reformed their old constitutions (however admir-
able and appropriate at the period of their formation), and
adapted them to the changed conditions, growing power,
and the irrepressible progress of more enlarged spirit of
improvement and the fuller lights which practice and ex-
perience have bestowed; and as it is desirable that a work
of such importance, and so allied with the feelings and in-
terests of the people themselves, should be commenced,
pursued and completed in a spirit of harmony and union,
and that all minor questions, whether of Federal or State
policy should be omitted, to attain for the people the great
blessings of reform of their constitution, which they alone
are competent to make, most beneficially to themselves, by
the means of a convention, which shall be composed of
delegates directly elected by, and immediately responsible
to the people of this State."

" Resolved, That this convention, constituted as it is of
delegates appointed from the counties, districts and city of
Baltimore here represented, do, in behalf of the people of
Maryland whom they represent, declare that it is their
wish as it is their fixed determination to have a full and
thorough reform of the constitution of Maryland, by a
convention, so far as their votes and efforts can attain this
desired object."

" Resolved, That the legislature possesses the power, and
should call a convention at their next session, in obedience
to the manifest and expressed will and wishes of the people,
to reform the constitution of the State."

" Resolved, That in evidence of our sincerity in the prem-