maryland was the only southern colony founded for religious reasons
History of Maryland
In 1896 , a biracial Republican coalition gained election of Lloyd Lowndes , Jr. as governor , and also achieved election of some Republican congressmen , including Sydney Emanuel Mudd , after Democratic dominance . Over the next several decades , the African - American population struggled in a discriminatory environment . The Democrat - dominated legislature tried to pass disfranchising bills in 1905 , 1907 , and 1911 , but was rebuffed on each occasion , in large part because of black opposition and strength . Blacks comprised 20 % of the electorate and had established themselves in several cities , where they had comparative security . In addition , immigrants comprised 15 % of the voting population and opposed these measures . The legislature had difficulty devising requirements against blacks that did not also disadvantage immigrants .
In 1896 , a biracial Republican coalition gained election of Lloyd Lowndes , Jr. as governor , and also achieved election of some Republican congressmen , including Sydney Emanuel Mudd , after Democratic dominance . Over the next several decades , the African - American population struggled in a discriminatory environment . The Democrat - dominated legislature tried to pass disfranchising bills in 1905 , 1907 , and 1911 , but was rebuffed on each occasion , in large part because of black opposition and strength . Blacks comprised 20 % of the electorate and had established themselves in several cities , where they had comparative security . In addition , immigrants comprised 15 % of the voting population and opposed these measures . The legislature had difficulty devising requirements against blacks that did not also disadvantage immigrants .