Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-03-29

,Le Federalists? The truth is, fellow-citizens,
+bat were Mr.. Wolfe not in the way of Mr..
Rrent,s promotion, you had never heard of
-bis oppesSioe vote 1t would have been con-
s;oned to oblivion and never have risen in
Judgment against that gentleman; but, Mr..
ilrent Justly tearing the respectable standing
and unsullicd reputation OF his competitor,
has resorted to this means to excite prejudi-
ees against him. Is it just ? Is it honorable ?
Let me ask, sellow-cItizens, can any thing
preye more conclusively to your minds the
4 faithful services and irreproachable character
/ ofMr. Wolfe, during the period of eight years
than the inability OF his enemies to exhibit
ore single charge against him of greater mag
nitude than that with which he now stands
accused. His enemies themselves have given
the most unqualified evidence of the correct
ness of his public and private life for is it
not fair to presume, from a specimen we have
had of NJ. Brent's conduct in the instance be-
fore us, that were it possible for him to in
lure the election of Dir. Wolfe by the exhibit
ton of any charge susceptible of plausible
support, that the opportunity would have
been embraced with avidityP | ask you fell
low-citizens to view this subject, in all its
u notifications, with candor and | fear not
that the result will be highly honorable to
Mr.. Wolfe. MY object has been to vindicatc
/ the conduct of that gentleman from unjust
imputations; not, as do the friends of MIR.
Brent in hand-bills and newspaper publica-
tions, to dictate to you the conduct to be Pur-
sued in the electien-on that subject l pre-
sumo you to be as capable of Judging as my
self, or those infammatory individuals who
arrogantly assume to themselves the Office of
dictator. You will, no doubt, notwithstand-
- I-t1 .-,Ao. n,,~-1-u = Al Ito~-f.I
lation threatens denanciation against those,
who calling themselves republieans) shall
vote for Mr.. Wolfe, exercise your own iudg-
nient, as becomes the character of FREE
MEN.
A few words more to Mr.. Brent, and | will
have done This gentleman, Tor his Aman-
uensis) has made a great pothcr about Mr..
Wolfe's voting against the repeal of a law
tenacted by our fore fathers, half a century
ago. as being oppressive to the poorer class
es of citizens-QUERE? Which vote most
affects the Poor Mr.. Wolfe's to continue the
law exempting a few boys from Militia duty,
a few days in the year, or Mr.. BRENT'S A
GAiNST REDUCING THE PAY OF
THE MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY, tat
present THREE DOLLARS PER Day
by which, admitting it had been reduced to
the former allowance of Two Dollars per Day,
a saving of FOURTEEN THOUSAND
DOLLARS PER ANNUM would have ac-
crued. The one is a nominal the other is
viewed BY many as a substantial grievance
But Mr. Brents .0ara individusl interest was
TO be Immediately affected by this measure.
This, to be sure, was paramount TO the inte-
rest of his constituents.-Where, / ask. was
the gentleman's great solicitude for the poor
cr class OF citizens on this OCCASION On O.
Their matters, (not connected with his pan in
terest) he was feaiingly alive to that of the
poor but, (slas for his consistency when
the subject of touching his own purse came
to be discussed, his disinterested patriotism
suddenly torsook him Tnis vote stands re-
corded on theJournals ofthe session Of lS09-lO
January 10th, page IS, and will, together
with the laws have referred to, be lodged,
III the Clerks Office in this borough, where
they will be s!hewn to any person requiring
information.
must here diselaim every idea Of an at
tempt to produce an impression on the public
mind, that three dollars per day is too great
an allowance for the members of Assembly
let every one enjoy has own opinion on that
subJect-my opinion is, that it is not too
lnuch-and,m my object in introducing the sub
lect, has not beea to charge it upon Mr..
Dfent as q vote Oppressive to the poorer
class OF citizens" but as calculated to con-
vince the public that he does not possess too
great a share of consistency. How easy were
1t for me to adopt the conduct of the gentle
man and r~etaliate upon him by giving this
SUBJECT a false coloring, (ss he has done9 and
thereby excite the public prejudice against
nm Bat disdain to promote the election
OF Mr.. Wolfe by such dishonest means
If it be asked, how Mr.. Wolfe voted on this
question ? | viii briefly state, that the sub
Jet was arrested in the house of Delegates,
and did not reach the senate.
| regret. fellow-citizens. that a necessity