Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-11-25

tied to, which enables her to dispose Of all
the Offices of Government as she pleases.
Secondly. The existing Government is
unequal and unjust in its operations, and does
not secure 10 the western people all the ad :
vantages for which Government is institu
ted among freemen.
ne Government operates unequally and
unJustly in this, that the western people,
whose habitations are remote from danger,
are required in time of war, TO march from
one of the most healthy and delightful eli
mates IN the world, TO one of the most sickly,
10 defend the property Of the eastern people
from a foreign enemy, and no equivalent ser
vice is rendered TO them by the eastern peo-
pie at any time. The internal improvement
oil The country is unquestionably benefit
which every civilized people have right TO
expect at the hands of their government. The
states OF Massachusetts, New York, Penn
sylYanla, Maryland and Ohio, are extending
the facilities of commercial intercourse to
every portion of their citizens. Even the
governments of Russia, France, and of other
countries, in which despotism prevails, have,
IN great measure, attended TO and divided
Tor the wants of their subjects in this respect.
In Virginia alone, the wants of large nor
ton OF the people are wholly disregarded bv
The Government. Whilst the eastern peo-
pie have the choice of every market in the
"orid, they have even refused TO pass an act
10 incorporate company 10 construct a Rail
Road from the Ohio River TO the Potomac.
which would have cost them nothing, and
might have been of immense ADVANTAGE 70
us-an act of gross injustice, unequalled in
the annals of any free people.
Thirdly. There is no reason TO believe that
the Constitution will ever be rendered more
comiormable to Republican principles; or
that the Government will ever. be more at
ITO the Interests of the Western peo-
pie.
The Constitution contains no provision
Tor future amendments. White population
IS denied by the Eastern people TO be the
Irue and proper basis of representation AMI
they even refused to nix il on that basis, when
II would have given them majority in both
branches oil the Legislature. Is ii rational
then TO suppose that they will hereafter he
wiling 10 acknowledge that principle, and
make The representation conform TO il. when
ii will have the effect of TRANSFERRING the now
er from their hands TO ours? II would he foI-
ly TO indulge such hope for momcnt-and
Will you, as freemen, when there shall he =
majority OF the white population west OF ,bo
Blue Ridge, (Which will probably happen in
me next ten or fifteen years. consent to leave
The power IN the hands of the minority. If
would ne equally idle to expect that the ex-
lsting government will hereafter be more
attentive 10 our wants than il has been in
imes past, especially when it is recolIected
that The avowed ground upon which the cas-
Tern people refused to fix the representation
Ill The Legislature on the basis of white ponu-
lation, was, that they were unwilling TO Der
mt the western people 10 get the power in
their hands of laying taxes, for the purpose
OF making internal improvements. With
a knowledge of these facts before us. is il NOT
worse than folly TO suppose that if our con-
neXion with Eastern Virginia continues, our
situation will be more prosperous hereafter
than 1t has been in times past?
FouTthly. The interests Of the peopIe on
the east are not only different from, but adj
verse to those OF the people on the west side
of the Blue Ridge.
The eastern people have every facility for
carrying their produce to market, and find
II TO their interest TO have as few councillors
+ there as possible. Their policy has there
lore been, (however short sighted il NAV he
considered rather to exclude us from, ibao
TO assist us in getting 10 market; and conse-
quently, almost every attempt TO get the
Legislature TO improve the navigation of our
rivers has been unsuccessful 1t is the in
tereSt OF the people Of Easte IN Virginia. that
the revenue of the General Government
which is collected off the whole people of the
United States, should ALL be expended a =
mong them in building ships and fortilica-
TONS on the sea coast for their defence: il
would be to the interest OF Western yiroi-
MA TO have part of the money expended A.
mong them in making internal improve
ments
!, Filthy. The habits, manners, and GUS
toms OF the people on the east Of the noun
tam, are different from ours. This fact il
known to every man who has crossed tbe
/ Blue Ridge, and the difference is probably
attributable TO the greater number of slave,
[ on that side than on this
) SlXthly. Our connection with Eastern
, Virginia precludes us from all influence IN
the General Government. The whole vot,
, OF the State being given by general ticket
for President and Nice-P President, il is at ali
times much more likely TO be given for IN,
candidate whose principles are opposed TO oul
: own, and whose policy is adverse TO our in.
terests, than TO one whose policy would h,
l likely to promote our prosperity. I'm tb,
: Senate of the United States, we have beer
almost since the foundation of the Govern.
ment, not only wholly unreprescnted. bu
Z the State has been represented by men who's,
I principles were hostile TO our peculiar infer
= ests And even in the House of Represen
, talYes, we can scarcely expect TO ret re
. preventative who will zealously sunport M,
81 interests in opposition to the wishes of IN,
a Legislature, large majority Of which con
G sists Of eastern members, and having aIrnos
. every office under the Government at the,
% disposal, can exercise a most unbounded in