Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-12-10

confident, count on a cheerful compliance
with this high injunction, on the part Of our
constituents. It is not to be supposed that
they viii object to make such comparatively
inconsidefsble sacrifices for the preservation
of rights and privileges. which other less IA
yored portions of the world have in vain wa
ded through seas of blood to acquire.
Our course is a safe enc, if II be but faith
fully adhered TO. Acquiescence in the con-
~stituinnally expressed will Of the majority,
and the exercise of that viii in a spirit OF
moderation, Justice, aud brotherly kindness,
will constitute a cement which would forey-l
er preserve Our Union. Those who cherish
and inculcate sentiments like these, render
a most essential service 10 their country;
whilst those who seek to weaken their iDiu<
'ence, are, however conscientious aEd praIse-1
worthy their intentions, in effect its worst
enemies.
If The intelligence and influence of the
country, instead of laboring to foment sec
tionsl preiudices. to be made subscrvient to
party warfare, were, in good faith, applied
to the eradication OF causes OF local discon-
tenn. by the improve ept of our imstitu-
tons, and by facilitating their adaptation to
the condition of the times. this task would
prove one Of less difficulty. MAY we not
hope that the obvious interests Of our com
mon country, aud the dictates of an eniight-
ened patriotism. will, in the end, lead the
public mind in that direction.
After all, the nature OF the subject does
not admit of q plan wholly free from objec-
ton. That which has for some time been in
operation is, perhaps, the worst that could
exist; and every advance that can be made
in its Improvement is a matter eminsntiy
worthy ofyour most deliberate attention.
1t is very possible that Que better calcu-
lated to effect the objects in view may yet
be devised. If so, it is to be hoped that
those who disapprove of the past, and dis
sent from what is proposed for the future,
will feel il then duty to direct their attention
to it, as they must be sensible that, unless
some fixed rule for the action of the Fede-
raj Government in this respect is established,
the course nov attempted to be arrested will
be again resorted To. Any mode which is
calculated to give the greatest degree fef-
feet and harmony to our legisIationupon the
subject-which shall best serve to keep the
movements of the Federal Government with
in the sphere intended by those who model
led and those who adopted (which shall
lead te the extingflishmeat of the national
debt in the shortest period, and impose the
Eghtest burdens upon orr constituents, shall
receive from me a cordial and firm support.
Among the objects of great national con-
Germ, | cannot omit to press again upon ysur
, attention that part of the Constitution which
. regulates the election Of President and Vice
/ President. The necessity for its amendment
E is made SO clear to my mind by the obser-
! walton of its evils, and by the many able dis
e c~ussions which they lave elected on the
floor Of Congress and elsewhere. that |
: should be wanting to my duty were | to with
t hold another expression of my deep solicit
] tude upon the subject. Our system fortu-
t nately c~ontemplates a recurrence TO first
4 principles, difie ring, in this respect, from all
that have preceded it, and securing it, |
t trust, equally against the decay and the com
motioW which have marked tho progress Of
t 6<r @Gevernments. Our fellow citizens,
, too, who, in proportion to their love of lib
crty, keep a steady eye upon the means of
sustaining it. DO not require to be reminded
of the duty they owe to themselves to rene
dy all essential defects in so vital a part Of
their system. Whils they are sensible that
every evil attendant upon is operation is not
necessarily indicative of bad organization,
r but may proceed from temporary causes, yet
the habitual presence, or even a single IN
r stance Of evil which can be clearly traced TO
an organic defect, will not, l trust, be over
looked through a too scrupilous veneration
for the work of their ancestors. The Con-
s~titution was an experiment committed to
the virtue and intelligence OF the great mass
of our countrymen, in whose ranks the fra
mers OF il themselves were 10 perform the
part OF patriotic observation and scrutiny; &
ifthey have passed faom the stage OF exis-
tence with an incfeased confidence IN its
general adaptation to our condition, we
J should learn frsm authority SO high the duty
of terrifying the points in it which time
proves to be exposed, rather than be deter,
red from approaching them by the sugges-
lions of fear, or the dictates of misplaced
reverence.
A provision which does not secure TO the
people a direct choice of their Chief Magis-
trate, but has a tendency to defeat their
will, presented to my mind such an inconsis-
tency with the general spirit Of our institu-
tons, that ! was induced to suggest for your
!. consideration the substitute which appeared
to me at the same time the most likely to
correct the evil and to meet the views OF
; our constituents. The most mature refiec-
ton since has added strength to the belief
that the best interests Of our country require
; the speedy adoption of sumo plan c~aiculst-
{ ed to effect this end. A contingency which
f sometimes places it in the power of a single
member of the House of Representatives TO
decide an election of so high and solemn a
character, is unjust to the people, and be-
comes, when it occurs, . source OF embar-
rassment to the individuals thus brought in
to power, and a cause of distrust of the rep
resentative body. Liable as the confsderacy
f is, from its great extent, TO parties founded