Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-02-15


and, by pressing with unequal weight
on the landless poor, betray their free.
hold origin.
That our militia system is as bad as
the wit Of man could make it-and
draws largely on the labor of the conn-
try, and impairs the morals Of people.
without producing any proportionate
benefit.
In short, that the whole system of our
internal policy is go wretchedly bad.
that our ancient and respectable com.
monwealth is sinking into poverty and
insigLihcance, while many of our sistec
states; with inferior natural adyanta.
yes, are rapidly increasing in power,
wealth and population.
All this, and more, has been said. and
truly said; and i: makes out clear case
of justification, and strong case for
inducement, to the majority OF the peo-
pie, to rise in the majesty of their
strength and dismiss ia a summary way.
their incapable or faithless servants.
But in deciding a question of such
vital importance, we ought to proceed
IL.
inquire whether there ara not counter.
waiting considerations which deserve 10
be seriously weighed. do nat advert
10 tho obvious objection that such a
course of proceeding might conyuIse the
commonwealth to its centre, and pro-
duce furious civil broils, if not war and
bloodshed. Our ancestors en- countered
all these evils in achieving the Liberties
of which we have been defrauded- AMI
il il be the will of heaven that we must
fight again for our rights, we must not
shrink from the performance OF our
duty. because there is blood in the oath.
1t il the voice of nature, lit is the voice
OF God. that tells us to 5equeath unen-
numbered 70 our children the Inheritance
OF freedom which we tondly supposed we
had received from our fathers
But If this, our high and sacred pur-
pose. can be achieved without encoun-
tering these dangers and difficulties, it
were madness to tread 10 the path that
leads to them. | am persuaded that it
can, and | have been lead to this con-
clusion by the facts and consideration
winch VIII pFoceeu to States
In the session OF 1856 the legislative mi-
aority who voted for the convention bill repre-.
scented white population exceeding, by aboue
$4,000, the white population which was repre-.
sented by the legislative majority In other
words. the majority in the-state in favor of the
cnnyentlon-bili, which was lost, was 90 OOO.--
An analysis of the recent vote already present.
ed to you IN note to these remarks, shows.
that in single year, the majority has Increased
from about 50 900 to about $50, COO. We have
lost, might have been expected, one or two
small Counties, bat bave gained several large
ones IN their place. AID though the legislative
majority against us is reduced by only votes,
tina, is IRON TOD, have actually gained. as
have SAID above, about $4,000 converts to the
principles Of the revolution.
This cheering fact presents to my mind
conclusive argument against ass milling con-
vention without legislative aid, in order TO the
formation OF a new government. Truth is
great and .oiH prevail. The march OF mi nd'
~ putting down tyranny both i'll Europe and A.
merIca, and ere another year rolls by, we shall
witness the triumph of our cause in the legisa-
tive halls at Richmond. We will then endeav-
to forget the wrongs we have sustained
from our brethren on tide water and for The
evil we have received al their hands, we viii
return them one OF the greatest OF sublunary
goods. free and paterns government.
Butrecollect, fell ,w.citzens that this peace.
fui conquest is not TO be achieved by sluggaids.
Every nerve should be strained 10 obtain ma
jority in the neat legislature. he friends of
reform, in the counties Whete public opinion 10
nearly divided, are reminded taat much de.
Ponds on their energy, and that from them much
IS expected. Common prudence would seem
to suggest to the friends OF reform, IN counties
where we already possess majority OF voices,
that they should AVOID the error of sending it's
enemies to the leg stature on mere promise TO
Uote fora convention bill. We want IN Rich.
mond, not votes merely, but efficient friends
AVID supper ers.
By pursuing The mlIder course which have
presumed to suggts we shall have the conso-
lation, in The Dorst event, OF recolectng thatwe
did not appea, to Sod and our good cause"
till we had appealed 20 man Often, earnestly
and III vain ONE OF The PEOPLE,
TABLE T.
Votes on the final passage Of the convention bin,
IN Ja1uary 1877. Opposite 20 each man mans
IS The name Of The county 7rhiot he repesenIs,
and one halt Of The SvIafe Population, accord.
ing 10 the ce'ssls If 1870.
EoEs.
Persinger Allegheny, created since last cen.
DAVIS sus.
Cues Amelia l7U3
Nash do. 1905
stlington Bath 1888
Hamilton DO 1852