Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-09-08


fore unheard OF, have been committed.
BY neglect and oppression of the lndl-
ans, the country has been involved in
bloody and savage war-the annual
expenses of the Government have been
swelled to the enormous amount OF 49,
100000 of dollars. Are these the
principles you wish to perpetuate, and
will elect Mr.. Van Buren, to carry
out? If not, what are the principles !?
Mr.. Van Buren's opinions upon the de-
posite bill have not yet been declared.
Probably he has not yet found it con-
sistent with his safety, to make up or
declare his mind. His most intimate
friends and supporters were opposed to
it, and the latter have already demand
ed the repeal of it. Do you wish it
repealed, that the immense surplus re-
venue drawn from the people, may be
squandered among political partlsans,
and not returned to the people Is that
principle you would have carried out?
Mr.. Van Buren, has not disavowed
the opinion that Congress may abolish
slavery in the District of Columbia
If the enigmas which he has written
on that subject have been rightly SOL
we'd, he will probably come to that
opinion as soon as he thinks it safe for
him to do so. Is that principle you
wish carried out Can you trust him
not to carry it out, if a bill upon that
subject shall pass Congress by force of
the Northern and Eastern votes, on
which Mr.. Van Buren, relies, and must
rely
Fellow. citizens, we omit, wholly,
some topics on which it was our pur-
pose to address you; we have passed
more hastily over others than was onr
wish. In conclusion, permit us to re-
mind you of the odds with which you
will have to contend, and to warn you
that you are not to expect an unprepa-
red foe or a cheap and easy victory.
Against you is the President, with all
the power and patronage, the lands
and money ofthe Government; against
you are his veteran legions of well
paid and disciplined Office holders, and
clouds of auxiliary partisans eager for
the spells ofvictory. You know too,
that the kings name is tower Of
strength, and that is with them: on
this side is nothing but the raw mill.
tia of the people, without discipline,
without pay, without aid of patronage,
or public treasure, with no aim or hope
save to protect their rights, preserve
their constitution, and put down the in
solent dictation which is attempted to
be practised on them.
But we congratulate you, that the
omens are propitious. Our sister N.
Carolina has shaken off her long apa.
thy, and is nobly recalling her ancient
spirit. Pennsylvania has rebellcd a
gainst the Dictator, determined that
her own voice shall utter her own will.
Is Virginia, for the first time, to be Sc
parated from her neighbors and con-
slant allies Is this " unterrifed COM
monwealth " to quail and shrink, while
all around her is rising up to resist
We shall not initiate the vain. glori-
Gus boasting or our adversares-but,
relying on your intelligence and pub
lie spirit, and confding in the justice Of
our cause, we look forward to the con-
test with an humble and firm assurance
that it will prove the people Of Virginia
to be the masters, not the servants of
the Government, and to be not only
able and willing, but determined to ex-
ercise their own free choice, " unawed
and unscduced."
ROBERT STANARD,
JAQUELINE B. HARVIE,
SAMUEL TAYLOR,
JAMES CASKIE,
WIN. Fl. MCFARLAND,
JOHN III. PEASANTS,
JOHN ROBERTSON,
RO. G. SCOTT,
JAMES GRAY,