Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-07-01

citizens of these states distracted by a
variety of candidates, each of whom has
his jealous and devoted partisans. Shall
zee make no effort to concentrate our
votes' No effort to prevent an election
by the House of Representatives. No
effort to secure to the large states their
due ascendaney in the Union' No effort
to prevent the minority of votes from
debating to the majority.
surely at such crisis it hehooves us
to useevery exertion to give to our be-
loved state the Just weight to which she
is entitled-and also to cooperate with
other states in securing a choice by the
Electors of the people. Can il be wise
or patriotic TO distract our citizens al
this moment when they should be united'
1t is for s.nother reason, highly impor-
tant, that we should faye concert at
home. This ancient commonwealth
has been, for many years, one of the
most jealous 1--WE will not say able sup
porters of republican principles-those
principles on which our Institutions are
founded, and by which the administra
ton OF our government has been SO Of
ten and SO gloriously directed. Is she
prepared to fritter away her strength, TO
sow discord among her own citizens;
and thus, perhaps, enable her opponents
to bring men into office whose princi-
pies do not approximate the nearest to
her own; whose habits may be entirely
different from her own, and who might
administer the government on tenets
essentially distinct2 Are we prepared
to strike the republican standard which
has SO long waved triumphant in this
state; under which our united citizens
have so long marched to victory; and to
enlist, perhaps, under different ban
ner; to contend for principles, either
different from our own, or so mixed
up end amalgamated as to throw every
thing into confusion and disorderp
Ear be it from US TO perpetuate any
odious and improper party discrimlna-
Tons. But there surely is difference
of opinion among politicians, as to the
rights, powers and duties of the federal
government. Some construe the con-
stitutlon in one way and some in anoth-
er. Ore individual is in favor of a
splendid national government, with great
and overshadowing powers: He adyo-
Gates gilded schemes of national indie
pendence, national improvements, and
national glory. Another objects to all
this magniticence: he contends that
the constitution originally contemplated
no such government; that this exercise
OF SO much patronage, this dispensing
with the paternal care and solicitude of
the state governments; this watching
over all our interests, administering to
all our wants, is subyersire OF the great
ends which were designed by the patri-
otto founders of our Institutions-that
such scheme is, in fart, dangerous to
our peace--to our happiness-to our
liberties. The friends of plain and
frugal government which shall be ''nei-
tner felt nor SEEM" yet not SO plain and
so frugal as 10 strip us of one atom of
the necessary defence Of the nation
reason from the history Of nations which
have gone before us. Convinced of the
tendency of human establishments to
retain all of the power which they have
acquired, and to acquire all that they
can, they perceive the necessity of RI
gidly adhering to the land marks of the
constitution, and of limiting the federal
government to the obvious and enune-
rated duties which have been contided
to its jurisdiction.
Virginia has enlisted under the BAN
ner of this Republican party. She has
fought manfully in defence of the battle
ments of the Constitution; and is not
disposed to yield or to vary the positions
which she has supported. She win Sc
lect the candidate for the Chief Magis--
trate Of the nation who will come the
nearest to her views; Who win admins
ter the government according to the
best principles of republic, and most
completely possesses the OTHER high qua
life atoms which are demanded by so
high an office.
In the election of our chief ma gistrates
we should discardas far as possible mere
personal considerations, or mere private
predictions. We should disburthen
our minds, as far as may be, from all
selfish or interested motives. The
question before you is not how to COM
pose an administration, by the union of
many aspirants after office, for the
tempting purpose of aggrandizing them
selves, their friends and retainers.--