Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-07-07

4 foreign 10 tue LegisiAANe uutta mat VIII NC
volve upon me as member OF the Virginia
Legislature, if elected; and only intended to
stir up party prejudice and angry political
/ animosities against me, in particular. ] know
not, nor recognize, any power vested ~ the
! Legislature, BY The amended constitution. a.
nv more than there was under the old, 70 au-
thorize any legislation upon any of the sab
jects embraced IN these questions, or upon
any they may involve. Resolutions, indeed,
oppressive e the opinion Of the Legislature
rather Of majority Of its members-as TO
the power of the general government TO pass
such tariff, as that now ia force upon the
American people; ard Of its right TO apprs-
pirate the public revenue of the Unisn, TO
works Of Internal Improvement, may proba
bly, be introduced, debated and passed; de-
nging this right, either in the one case or
the other, 10 exist in the federal government
But such resolutions will only be declaratory
OF the opinion Of those passing them-they will
not be Legislature in their character-wil not
have the force and operation OF law--wIll
neither be binding, on our own people, upon
the general government, nsr upsn our repre-
sentatiVes in Congress. They will, In fact g.
fellow citizens, be no more, nor of more avail,
than would be the similar expression Of the
like opinion, by so many private individuals
Those passing them, having no authority IN
der the Virginia Constitution, under which
they are sworn to at. and must act, in their
leg tsIdtiee capacity, can derive none irorA any
ether source. The mere circumstance of
their being members Of the legislature, and
their assuming to act in that capacity, can
give them no such authority, nor color. You
oil I1
myself, might assemble yourselves and do
! the same thns-that is, pass similar set Of
resolutions, plead the same right, and claim
| the same obedience from the general govern
ment, to your assumed authority. AID do
not, and cannot. suppose any voter OF Jetter
son SO ignorant as not to knew it. And, THIS,
indeed, the author himself admits, in this
same communications, Gas published IN the
Free Press,) unless | am to infer that the
Editor, having more candour and discretion
than he, has done so for him Yet this sad
author, over an imposing signature, to-be-
sure, well assumed TO further his object, for
the sole purpose of stirring up party spirit,
/ which, In being brought cut under the cir
cumstsnCes | was, by both parties, had been
led TO suppose and erpsct, would not . rous-
ed against me, presumes to say, that the can
dldates for the Senate and House Of Dele
gates should answer these questions, unc0n-
nected as they are and as be himself admits
them to be. with The legislative capacity With
which shall be clothed, aud the duties with
which shall be chargt d. II elected, ''or
some OF their neishhorS and friends cannot
support them at the election " This Is a mo-
dest threat, confess, and would seem eau
did, indeed, in a gentleman pretending to
intelligence, and to be acting from principle,
But, my fellow citizens, TO you who might be
disposed to "sappoTt" me, but for the fears
this partisan would excite prejudicIai to me,
in bos9ms where none should exist; nor exist
ed before, by inducing you to believe do
entertain principles and opinions different
from your own, which shall be called upon
TO exercise, 10 the injury OF what you may
deem your best interests | can say. and ap
pei o the past 10 sustain my sincerity that
| have always eDtertained the same, opll-
ions and views, | have Just expressed re-
latiye to all such Unofficial, as consider all
GeciaratoTy resolutions. or opinions, as those
aludeI 10. Yes, | can assert, without fear
OF contradiction, that have solemn acts to
oppose to these insnuatlons, and to repel
them Official acts. it you please. recorded
IN the Journals of more than one former
House of Detega tes-years ago, as your re
preventative IN the Virginia Legislature, for
three successive sessions, voted against SIM
liar resolutions, because then thought, in
conformity TO what have just stated, that
had been elected for different purp0Ses-to
discharge duties, net 10 declare Unofficial acts
and opiuigns-that such legislation, il lcgis
ton, it may be called, was, to say the most
OF it, useless. if not a wanton waste Of tiue
aud moneys no crisis having then arisen, in
my opinion. calling for such expression oil g.
plnIOn Oh the part of the Delegates OF Fir.
ginia How shall again act, if elected, Will
be time enough to determine when the time
arrives. if it arrive at all. And till then,
only Offer these, nay past and present opin-
ions, and former acts. as the best assurances
can give, fer the regulation Of my future
conduct. And AS | know not, as no man
knows, What crisis may arise. requiring me
TO vote, under circumstances can now gei-
Their i0resee nor anticipate, | make 10 for
NAL pledges Of conduct. in cOGiunctures to
arise or not to arise, as known to Heaven on
ly. Ii would be Imprudent IN me, and supe
rerogatien-what know my fellow citizens
ought not do not, and cannot expect or re
QuIre Of me. But do say. and my fellow
Citizens may be assured, that IN whatever eX-
igencies may he required to act, viii ne
yer fear TO meet the worst--to do the best
fer my country. And | shall always hold
myself bound, on all occasions, In all things
pertaining to my trust, to do the will of my
constituents, rather than my own; for | re
cegnlZe, and advocate the ri ht of INSTRUCTION,