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progress toward the calling of this Convention and the

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privilege of assisting with the steps that led here, I have

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had the honor to participate in the framing of this new

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Constitution as a delegate. I have seen the dedication,

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the determination and the wisdom which the delegates have

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applied to the task. I have been conscious of the wide

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breadth of experience and the depth of knowledge that these

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men and women, representing a cross-section of Maryland's

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citizenry, have contributed to this assembly. I have

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witnessed and engaged in the long hours of study and debate

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devoted to the drafting of this document.

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Needless to say, I owe a debt of undying grati-

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tude to all of you for naming me Honorary President of this

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body; and let me hasten to say here that at no time during

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the period of planning for this Convention did the slightest

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thought occur to me to permit my name to be filed as a

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candidate from my County of Somerset. Suffice it to say

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that I am greatly pleased and honored that it did happen as

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I have enjoyed immensely the fellowship of this delightful

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group of ladies and gentlemen. It has been a great privi-

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lege.