¥2                The Maryland Constitution of 1851.             [450

ury of popular rights. With this w^Teapon the people will
be resistless, in all future struggles for the extension of
their privileges."¹³

On the whole, the constitution of 1851 was rather a poor
instrument, though there were some salutary reforms
made. A comparative study of the constitution with the
one it superseded reveals some radical changes.

In the Declaration of Rights there were but few changes
made. The addition to the first article, which declared
that the people had at all times, according to the mode
prescribed in the constitution, the inalienable right to
alter, or abolish their form of government in such manner
as they may deem expedient, was a subject of much discus-
sion during the reform agitation, and in the convention.¹⁴

The twenty-fourth article of the Declaration of Rights
declared that no conviction should work corruption of
blood, or forfeiture of estate. This was a modification of
the original article, which permitted forfeiture of estate
for murder, and treason against the State, on conviction
and attainder.¹⁵ A new article was inserted in the Decla-
ration of Rights, which declared that the legislature ought
to encourage the diffusion of knowledge and virtue, the
promotion of literature, the arts, sciences, agriculture,
commerce, and manufactures, and the general ameliora-
tion of the condition of the people.¹⁶

The thirty-fourth article of the Declaration of Rights is
especially worthy of notice, as it permitted Jews and others
to hold office, if they declared their belief in a future state
of rewards and punishments. The constitution of 1776
required in addition to the oath of support and fidelity to
the laws and constitution of the State, a declaration of a
belief in the Christian Religion.¹⁷

¹³ Debates, vol. ii, p. 96.                                   ¹⁴ See ch. ii, p. 26.

¹⁵ Dec. of Rights, 1776, art. 24.

¹⁶ Compare Cal. Const. 1849, art. x, sec. 2.

¹⁷ Dec. of Rights, 1776, art. 35. The latter clause was repealed in
1826, and Jews were given the same privileges as Christians.. See
Steiner's Citizenship and Suffrage in Md., p. 33.