Page:The Federal and state constitutions v3.djvu/487

Rh superseded, pursuant to the provisions of this constitution, and until their successors be duly qualified.

The sheriffs of the several counties of this State, and of the city of Baltimore, shall give notice of the several elections authorized by this constitution, in the manner prescribed by existing laws for elections under the present constitution.

This constitution, if adopted by a majority of the legal votes cast on the first Wednesday of June next, shall go into operation on the fourth day of July next, and on and after said day shall supersede the present constitution of this State.

It shall be the duty of the legislature, at its first session immediately succeeding ascertaining, at the next general election of delegates, the sense of the people of Maryland in regard to the calling a convention for altering the constitution; and in case the majority of votes cast at said election shall be in favor of calling a convention, the legislature shall provide for assembling such convention, and electing delegates thereto at the earliest convenient day; and the delegates to the said convention shall be elected by the several counties of the State and the city of Baltimore, in proportion to their representation respectively in the senate and house of delegates at the time when said convention may be called.

Done in convention, the 13th day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the United States the seventy-fifth. , President. , Secretary.

We, the people of the State of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty, and taking into our serious consideration the best means of establishing a good constitution in this State, for the sure foundation and more permanent security thereof, declare:

That we hold it to be self-evident that all men are created equally free; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, the enjoyment of the proceeds of their own labor, and the pursuit of happiness.

That all government of right originates from the people, is