28                The Maryland Constitution of 1851.             [406

ises, we the members of this convention, mutually pledge
ourselves, one to the other, that we will cast our vote for
no candidate for a seat in either branch of the legislature
of Maryland, who is not fully committed and pledged to
vote for a bill providing for an immediate call of a con-
vention to revise the present constitution; and that we
commend this course to the friends of conventional reform
of all political parties throughout the State. That this
convention also recommends the formation of reform com-
mittees and clubs in every county, district and city in the
State, for the purpose of urging on the great work of con-
ventional reform." ²⁷

These recommendations were vigorously carried out by
the local reform organizations of the several counties of
the State, and of the city of Baltimore, in order to secure
the election of delegates favorable to " conventional re-
form." The Democratic party of the State was almost
unanimously in favor of a convention; while the Whigs in
the different sections were divided in regard to it. The
Whigs of Carroll county held a convention at Westminster
on the 18th of August, and took decided grounds for " con-
ventional reform." They declared that the legislature had
the power to call a convention of the people, and pledged
themselves to support no candidate unless he announced
himself in favor of the convention.²⁸ The Whig voters of
Baltimore City in a convention of delegates appointed from
the different wards of the city adopted similar resolutions.²⁹
The Whigs of the southern counties and of the Eastern
Shore were opposed to a convention. The Rockville, Md.,
Journal, speaking of the convention held there for the
purpose of selecting delegates to the state reform con-
vention in Baltimore City, stated, that " No Whigs at-
tended the meeting, and so far as we know, there is not
a conventional Whig reformer in the district." ³⁰

²⁷ Baltimore American, July 27, 1849.

²⁸ Baltimore Sun, August 24, 1849.

²⁹ Baltimore American, August 31, 1849.

³⁰ Quoted from the Baltimore Sun, July 31, .1849.