Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-12-19


President.
Gov. ]. BARBous, of Virginia.
Ttce Presidents.
Gov. :. s. pETFRs, Of Connecticut,
Gov. J. A. SauLzE, OF Pennsylvania,
Gov, d.. HAzAsp, Of Delaware,
Gov. GEoeeE liowARD Of Maryland,
Gov. ]. TYLER. Of Virginia.
Gov. owEs, Of North Carolina,
Gov. METcALF, eff Kentucky,
Hon, p r.. LIVINGSTON, of New York,
JAcoB BuRHETT, of Ohio,
Isaac e. Bates, OF Massachusetts,
JAS. WILSON. OF New Hampshire.
+. NJ. HUNTINGTON, of Indiana.
EPHRArM MARSH, OF New Jersey.
Secretaries.
CHARtss II. PENRosE, of Pennsylvania.
G. w. Ralph, OF Illinois.
s. II. LYMAN, OF Maine.
&. PAINE, Of Vermont.
On taking the chair, Gov. BARBOUR made one of
the most eloquent addresses ever listened 10. We
regret that our reporter can only present an imper-
feet sketch OF his remarks, merely touching on the
leading points.
Gentlemen, said Gov. b., feel deeply obliged to
| YOU for the distinguished mark Of your considefa
lion, which you have kindly conferred upon me,
and 10 return, | offer you my assurance that | will,
to the utmost of my capacity, justify your conf
dence, by discharging my duties with scrupulous f.
deity, in which / shail doubtless receive the coop.
Grafton of each individual member of this body.
The honor, gentlemen, you have conferred upon
me, is enhanced by the belief that it is not so much
u mark Of personal regard, as a testimonial of re-
| spect TO the ancient Commonwealth that | here re-
| presents; and am persuaded that she will aekpow
ledge the distinction conferred upon her with sensi-
bilty.
Commissioned as we are by the people, at a time
never surpassed in importance, to represent them
on subjeois Of the greatest interest, 1t is presumed
that every member will feel the responsibility of
his station, and be prepared to respond to those
measures best calculated to adsanSe the objoc, of
our mission.
The American people have too long had TO COM
plain Of the maladministration of the General Go.
vernment, A large portion of them are now filed
with anxiety and alarm. | would to God that their
feors and alarms we're idle, and without foundation
but in this solemn place. standing as | do before
Heaven ard my country, | proclaim that a crisis is
approaching, that portends destruction to our form
| Of republican self Government. 1t is To arrest this
dire calamity that we are now here assembled.
When | look over this Convention said Governor
BARBOUR, ut the men here assembled, many Of
whom deserve the digniied eppellaiion of he CON
script fathers of the republic; men who have devo-
ted their lives with disinterestea patriotism tn the
cause of freedom and their country when ! see
such men leaving their homes and their fre-sides,
and exposing themselves to all the inclemencies OF
tho demonstrating many miles to come here, 10
aid US with their counsel and the experience of
their years. cannot but regard it as a noble Sssti-
mony that the awful solemniiy Of the Crisis is pro-
perly appreciated. 1t is deyoatly to be hoped, that
when such men lend the sanction of heir presence,
good will result from our deliberations and even
the nalignity Of faction dare not asperse the purity
Of their motives, when their grey hairs testify ihat
The places which now know them will soon know
them no more, and that they have long been past
the aspirations after power and plnce, which dis
fineuish the miserable seekers Of Office" Such
men stand not here for themselves, but as trustees
for coming generations--they have no interests but
those of posterity. | cannot but believe that the
great body Of American people, no matter by what
PARTY names they may be designated, will fee. thai
a voice coming from a body like this, is entitled to
respectful attention, us it will come from a body
whose position lifts IL above suspicion, and whose
members are only actusted by a feeling that they
have a country to love as well as a party to sup
port.
Truly, we are in the midst Of a revolution. 1t is
no idle declaration. The foundations Of our repub,
Iican system are being Slapped with fearful rapid
". Those conservative walls erected by our fore
fathers to protect and restrain the different branch
es of the government, have been already ~trampled
down by the foot Of power, and we find the Execu-
tive placing itself above the Legislative and Judi
cial branches, until the chief officer of the nation
has become the mere head of a party, and places
are conferred as rewards Of party services, which
formerly were given as rewards Of merit.
The American people are convinced that there is
no remedy for the evils under which they are now
differing, BUT A CHANGE OF RULERS. We must
have other agents in the public service. But all
hopes of remedy are groundiess unless there be uni
on among the opponents Of corruption and usurpa-
tion-uuless there be harmony and concord among
all the elements Of the opposition. This is the p-
vot on which the hopes of the people turn. and 10
us has been delegated the high duty of efecting
this desirable object.
That in this great country there should be many
men fit to fill the chief office, is no matter of sur
prise. and in this convention, delegates have no
doubt warm preferences. This is all right and pro-
per. Give the uttermost latitude to feeling for to
This extent we may all with safety go bat if we go
beyond this, mischief will result. We must be pre-
nared. each and the whole, 10 sacrifice all sectional
feelings-all personal considerations, for the good
of our couatry. We should poorly fulfil the expec-
tations OF our constituents, if we permitted any
selfish considerations to influence our action. We
are not here for venal purposes, longing after the
flesh pots ofEgypt. but have higher and hoier aims.
We are here to make an effort for the reformation
of our government, and to check. its downward
course. So far as | am concerned, the name TO be
selected is a matter Of perfect indifference make
it up of what letters Of the alphabet you please-so
that it be certain Of success, and l shall be among
the loudest in my hozannas to il.
Public expectation is standing on tiptoe, awaiting
the issue Of this Convention. Not only the patriots
Of the land, but out political rivals look with anxious
expectation 10 your deliberations The people Of
the United States have ceniered all their hopes in
your action, and from IL they expect new light to
break on the darkness that now hangs over US. is
there any who will suffer personal feelings 10 inter
fere with his decision so as 10 cover with sackcloih
and ashes those who would guard the ark Of our
political safetyi God forbid.
II would be useless for me, said Gov. b., to take
up your time with a recapitulation of the evils the
country is laboring under. They are known 10 you
all. But, as out of the fulness Of the heart the
mouth speaketh," ! must be permitted TO remark
thai we have flung the broad banner Of LIBERTY