Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-03-14

thy of consideration.
But. said Mr.. F., ifthere exists no
necessity, do there exist any consider
atoms of propriety requiring an election
this session. He thought not. In fact
he thought there would be an obvious
propriety, under the circumstances un-
der which we were here situated, to
defer this important measure until the
next winter.
An unprecedented condition ofthings
had arisen in this State--a total rev.
olution of parties-an entire abruption
of old political associations and con-
nections had occurred within the last
few months. Men formerly at dag
gers ends, were now found pigglng to-
gether, heads and points, in the same
truckle bed. This had all occurred
not only since we derived our authori-
ty from the people, but since we con-
vened in the city of Richmond. When
we separated from our constituents
early in December, an overwhelming
majority of the people of this State had
but a few weeks before testified their
undiminshed confidence in the present
administration. He (Mr. F. was not
among those who had exhibited that
confidence; yet he had seen nothing
since its confirmation in power, which
could Justly forfeit the confidence thus
reposed in it; and yet majority of the
present House of Delegates are now
admittedly hostile to that administration.
Did the people of Virginia sympathise
in this change oftheir delegates? Have
they undergone similar revolution of
opinion? Were they disposed to thwart
and embarrass the characteristic mea-
sures of that administration Had the
Executive losttheir confdencei Upon
these points he desired Information.
There were no sources Of information
so unquestionable as those which the
approaching election would furnish.
/ 1t was his wish, therefore, to permit
this election to abide the result of that
test. Could there be any reasonable
objection to this coursel The election
of a Senator was an important political
act. 1t was to give to the people oil
| Virginia for six years a representa-
tive in the national Senate. Once APP
pointed, his powers cannot be revoked.
| Was there any thing improper in ascer-
tanning the sentiments ofthe people upon
these questions with which this elcc-
ton is identified Was not the election
of their representative matter deeply
interesting to them? Should they not
be consulted, as to the principles of the
individual selected
The Spring elections are looked to as
decisive of some of the most important
questions, which have for nearly half
a century been submitted to the people
of Virginia. Shall the Government OF
the Union be sustained in the exercise
of its constitutional powers? Shall the
weight of this powerful Commonwealth
be thrown in opposition to the Govern
mentl Shall Virginia be insensibly
led into the tolls ola Southern Confed.
eracyl Shall she, after the first session
of the next Congress, take her stand
side by side with South Carolina, if the
Tariff is not modified in obedience IL
the behests of the Ordinance? These
were questions which the people of Vir
ginia must act upon at the approaching
Spring elections--they We're questions
whichhe hoped would be discussed before
the people and de bated on every Illus
tings in the State-they were question
involved in the present election of
Senator. He sincerely wished tn
friends of Union and Constitutions
: Government would feel the importanc
! of the crisis, and rally in every count,
and borough of the commonwealth
!, The next General Assembly woul
:. hen exhibit a true representation c
Virginia as she really is; as he wishe
= to seeher-"speaking her own thought
and acting them too"--not guided an
controlled by knot of politicians
!. Was there any portion of the Hous
}, afraid to trust to that popular verde
= which would be rendered in the Spring
Were they unwilling to confide to tn
. action of the People on those questions
= or were they, in the spirit of the mid
II night appointments of former days, de
:. termined to avail themselves of an acc
Fl dental political ascendency, to perpetu
: ate shadoway representation of thei
power, after their power itselfhad cea
: sedl Was such course consister
= with those professions of exclusive re
: publicanism, of which we had heard s
much of late2
:, During the recent discussion on Fec
y eral Relations, SAID Mr.. F., both pal
u ties claimed that the voice of Virgini
4 was with them. Virginia will neve
; sanction the principles of the Procl'
W nation. exclaims one party-She wi