387]           The Maryland Constitution of 1864.              41

The first two months were mainly occupied with long and
vigorous debate on the slavery and National allegiance
questions, in which both sides expressed their views freely
and often at great length. The majority frequently pro-
fessed themselves as desiring perfect fairness,¹¹ and the
records go to show that, as a rule, such was the case.¹² Con-
sidering the weight of the questions involved, and the close
personal interest in them on the part of the members of the
Convention, many of whom not only owned slaves, but
had relatives and friends in the opposing armies, the debates
show a remarkable lack of personal abuse and recrimina-
tions. This was at a time when the fiercest of campaigns
were being waged by Grant and Lee in Virginia, and
Sherman and Johnston in Georgia, while the state of Mary-
land itself suffered under an extensive invasion. In addi-
tion, the whole country was agitated over the political cam-
paign preceding the presidential election of 1864, and
charges of "lawless oppression" were answered with the
terms of "traitor" and "Copperhead." It is pleasing to
note that throughout the entire period of the Convention in
Annapolis, the personal relations of the members were most
pleasant. Great cordiality prevailed, and friendly discus-
sion and quiet conversation on matters pertaining to the
business of the Convention frequently took place as the
members of the opposing parties met in their daily affairs
outside the State House walls.

On Wednesday, April 27, as above stated, the Convention
held its first meeting. Henry H. Goldsborough, of Tal-
bot County, the State Comptroller, was elected president,
receiving the entire vote of the fifty-eight Union men
present. Ezekiel F. Chambers, of Kent, had been placed
in nomination for the office by the opposition, but de-
clined, and the twenty-one minority members did not vote.
The remainder of the process of organization was speedily
effected during the next few days. The standing com-

¹¹ Deb., i, 118, 207, 350.                                        ¹²Deb., i, 569.