Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-09-09

election was an easy effort; when BENT
to the election of Mr.. Monroe, it was
successful, and that was all. Thus, a
central power, controlling all things a
round il, affects this controul without
see ming to make an effort. The weight
of the power seems neyer to have been
sufficiently felt until its forces were d.
vitlcd into parts. each revolving around
its own axis-never until every member
ofthe cabinet became candidate, and
the influence and patronage OF each was
devoted to his own support.
do not mean to say that either OF the
candidates has made use of any portion
of his power or patronage improperly
But SO long as human nature is the
same so long "as money is the most
powerful of all moral agents., long
as power flatters and splendor dazzles,"
so long will the holder of these agents
have an acquired influence over the
minds and feelings Of men. And as
these powers are given but to be exer-
cised, out of their necessary exercise
will arise thai very influence so rlueh
spoken and dreaded. 1t cannot be o.
ther.ise. If the cabinet inthese shines
that try mems souls,'' has been filled
with quiet, harmony, and good will, the
men who compose it are more than
mortal; ifnot, he has no just conception
Of things. who can envy the presidents
place among them.
But sir to pass from this general re-
view, TO the question, whether an Ell
fort should be made? ] think that there
is portion of the people of the United
States who ought to make an effort.
A people, who, as to any thing that be-
longs to office, patronage and power, are
as remote from and unknown to the gem
eral government at any equal popula-
ton in the land of the Iiottentots. i
mean Virginia, west of the Blue Ridge
| m ,untains. A people unknown, be-
cause they never made their power felt.
people, who, although but two fiiths
ofthe white population, possess mayo
rity OF the freehold voters in the whole
state, and who have given ajority OF
the whole votes for more than twenty
years, and yet never made a president
feel that he owed to them the vote of
Virginia in the slightest degree. We all
know how this matter is man ged. A
caucus is got up either before the gen
eral one at Washington or after IT. his
caucus is composed of such members of
each house ofthe General A Assembly as
will attend. The eveigrown delegation
in the lower house from the small coun-
ties and corporations east of the Blue
Ridge, makes itself appear to be large
majority of the whole. In this caucus
arenominated all the electors of the state
ali committees of correspondence, &c.
The whole machinery of the election is
identified with the city of Richmond in
which this force resides.
When the vote of the state has been
given, 10 inquiry is necessary to be
made by the presi dent, when exercising
the power of appointment-Whs are
these Virginia electors west of the Blue
Ridge who have given me this vote? The
answer would Ue,- never mind them;
they have power, bat they either do
not know il, or they are too indolent 70
exercise it. The only thing necessary
is to inquire who made them electors.
This state of things, it seems to me, sir,
require of you and me, and of all our
countrvmen, at this time TO exert our
selves, and to make the land we live in
appear as part OF the United States
political territory. We are not, in this
respect, situated like any other portion
of our empire, not even as the western
states. Delaware could send her En-
bassador to Eurore.-But Delaware is
state and can give votes. Illinois has
furnished a minister to Mexico, Ken
lucky at Client; but like Delaware,
Kentucky and Illinois are states. Wcs-
tern Virginia stands alone-it is not a
state. 1t never gave a vote except
when, and as, directed from the central
power at Richmond, and which always
received its commands from the CEN
trail committee at Washington.
There are sundry officers in the gift
of the government which must be ex-
ercised by persons residing whore those
Offices are established: these whenever
they occur in Western Virginia, are FL
led by persons residing there. This
fact is admitted; but let us look at all
those other Offices comprizing those
most valued, either for their power,
grandeur, or emolument, and ask our
selves VINO is ne that belonged to Yves
ltern virginia when they were filled and