Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-07-26
enter. Dav;d Bro,sn,- Tfuinn Carroll, and

Res0LUed, That committee oil tnree DC ap-
pointed to wait on Mr. Faulkner, and inform
him of his appointment as President vi the
body.
A committee was accordingly appointed,
consisting OF Messrs McEltenney, Price and
Newton.
On being conducted TO the Chair, the Pre-
sident returned his acknowledgements TO the
convention In a brief and eloquent address,
OF which the following was the substance:
GchttemeiG-ln being called npon to pre-
side over the deliberations 81 this convention,
IN which observe around me So much OF the
rising talent and na'ured reflection Oh this
commonwealth, feel that I have been hon
ored with testimonial Of your confidence as
Ga,terinc and unmerIted as IL was certainly
UNEXPECTED The duties which devoive upon
'hc occupant Of this Chair are IN practice
new TO rle; my short experience in delibera.
tive assemblies having been that Of private
member frhose bodies only. tn.accef ting this
trust. therefore, / shall be compelled to throw
myself upon your kind and indulgent liberali
" with the assurance, that as an exact i'm
partialny. strict attention-a Jealous deyo-
ton 10 the duties which may devolye upon
rfe, will constitute my only claim TO this Cfis
tinction, those qualities at least shall be faith
fully exeried to ensure the harmony and IA
cilitate the progress Of yonr deliberations.
Gentlemen, we have assembled under cir
cumstances IN the history Of this country, por-
tending some disastrous changes ~ her polti
cal institutions. Facts, which daily trans
pre- before our eyes, and which speak trum-
reted tonsued to the apprehenslons OF the pa.
,triot, admonish US, that crisis has arrived
pregnant with fnomentous results to the for
tunes Of this nation. That tendency to cor
ruption--so sure inits progress, unless check
ed by the powerful influences OF public vir-
tue. and whlch seems TO be a part OF the sys.
tenn OF nations, not less than oil individuals
has already made fearful exhibition el its
power in the recent operations OF THIS gov
eminent The principles which tor more
than three years have characters the poh
cy of the present administrations principles
of unmitigated despotism and avoWed cor
rnp,ion- and which if sustained must lead TO
the certain destruction Of the noblest fabric
of popular government Which the world has
vet witnessed challenge the consideration oil
all who are alive to the happiness and glory
of this people When the republic is III
danger, it is the nohiest prerogatlve Of the
citizen to lily to IFS standard and minister TO
its support. In obeytog that summons upon
this occasion, gentlemen, you have shewn
your sense OF that deep and solemn response
bity winch is ever mseparabie from a just
estimation of those blessings, which it is yet
our happino SIS TO enjoy.
Gentlemen, there are duties which apper-
tain TO the active, as we'll as TO the aged The
country has her claims upon all; those claims
must be obeyed There are times, and those
not the least interesting in a nations travail,
which demand the efficient action and tire
less. energy of manhood, not less than the
boarded segacity and matured wisdom OF age
Such times are those when the temple OF the
constitution is proiancd IN ITS hottest sanetua-
ry-aye, and by the chosen ministers OF lis
altar--wher the proud honors OF this repub-
lie are made the spells OF courtly sersIlity and
OF prostltuted honor--whcn secret corruption
and l4wless violence are struggling ilr sa-
premacy IN the high seats OF this government;
and when the mobiles. inheritance, ''ere be
queaihed by sire 10 SON. IS endangered by
the fJlly-the madness the vices OF men IN
power. Such times require action; prompt.
efficient, well conccrted-yet peaceable and
constitutional action.
Representatives Of Virginia. you have an
important duty to discharge. You have been
invited by the venerable fathers OF the coun
try---by your Youthful fellow citizens recent
] w
in the momentous struggle which IS new sp.
preaching. It well becomes you TO weigh
the attitude which this ancient, and may |
not add distinguished commonwealth should
assume at the Impending crisis. Ii has long
been her prescrp,ive claim TO stand as war
den upon the watch tower OF the constitus
ton: there to protect it against the assaults
of open violence and secret hostility This
if well founded, is a high and honorable dis
tinetion; bnt permit me to say. that ours IS a
government 10 be preserved IN IT'S republican
purity-not by the cabinet dialecties OF po-
hlicai schoolman, but by eradIcatng actual
existing, palpable abuses; by checking that
corruption which is now too vlstele IN the adj
mnistration oil its powers, and by repressng
that tendency, SO fatal to the career of all
popular governments, SO perceptihle in the
recent course OF this of sinking the interests.
the honor. the glory of the entire republic. in
an infatuated devotion TO the personal for
tunes Of single man. The times, gentle
men, demand that deep toned excitement,
which has convened you together from eve
ry-even the remotest sections of this com.
monwealth The aid which your zeal and
efficient organization may render, is great
NAV be decisive lou have at least much TO
animate your labols- much to,stmulate and
arouse the no5lest energies of your nature.
For you are struggling to sustain the endan.
gered institutions of the country-to main.
tain your constitution IN its purity, and t. up
hold the principles and the policy of WASH
INGTON.- Gentlemen, may your patriotic
efforts be crowned with success; May your
proceedings be conducted with dignity,