Constitution of the State of Maryland
1867
Maryland's fourth and current constitution was framed by a convention that met in Annapolis in the spring and summer of 1867 and ratified by voters on September 18 of that year. It was written by a convention dominated by Democrats who had regained political control of the state after the Civil War, and it deliberately rolled back many of the more radical provisions of the 1864 Reconstruction constitution that had been imposed under Union military oversight. The 1867 document reestablished the structure of state government on more conservative lines, restricted suffrage to white men until the Fifteenth Amendment forced otherwise, and created the framework of legislative, executive, and judicial organization that Maryland still uses today. It has been amended more than two hundred times but has never been replaced.
Preamble
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 and Form of Government for our State, do declare:
Declaration of Rights
Article 1. That all Government of right originates from the People, is founded in compact only, and instituted solely for the good of the whole; and they have, at all times, the unalienable right to alter, reform or abolish their Form of Government in such manner as they may deem expedient. Article 2. The Constitution of the United States, and the Laws made, or which shall be made, in pursuance thereof, and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, are, and shall be the Supreme Law of the State; and the Judges of this State, and all the People of this State, are, and shall be bound thereby; anything in the Constitution or Law of this State to the contrary notwithstanding. Article 6. That all persons invested with the Legislative or Executive powers of Government are the Trustees of the Public, and, as such, accountable for their conduct: Wherefore, whenever the ends of Government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the People may, and of right ought, to reform the old, or establish a new Government; the doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary power and oppression is absurd, slavish and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind. Article 40. That the liberty of the press ought to be inviolably preserved; that every citizen of the State ought to be allowed to speak, write and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that privilege.