Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1843-05-20


Commonwealth, the citizens Of the coun
ty oil ksnawha, addressed to this house
at Its last session a memorial--calm in
its tone, courteous in its terms, corent
in It's reasoning, and powerful IN Its ap
peal TO the justice and ma gnanimity of
the Legislature, praying a reapportion.
ment of Senators and Delegates through.
out the Sta e. How was this memor ial.
so respectful, and appealing TO the high
est motives that could move the hea r,
or influence the mind, received by our
eastern brcthren2 With dsdain-It was
treated with an indifference amounting
almost to contempt Showing on the
part of the eastern gentlemen, a deli
Oerate purpose to disregard the rights.
and trifle with the int rests and feelings
Of the Western people. Eastern gen.
tlemen tell us that they have never man
ltested a disposition to abuse their pow
CT. Sir, the refusal of the East, al the
last session Of the Legislature. 10 re APP
point the representation Of the State,
under the circumstances adverted to
was one Of the very highest abuses of ar
bitrary power. The petitions of the
American colonies never were treated
with greater indifference before the Brit
lsh thrUn ne, under the arbitrary reign of
George Ill, than the memorials Of the
Western people have been by the Legis
lature of their own State. Yet, when
the complaints OF the colonisls failed 10
reach the ear Of Majesty, and their
grievance were dIsregarded by the Brit
iSh Parliament, II kindled an indomitable
spirit Of liberty throughout the country:
and shall the freemen Of Western Vir-
glna tamely submit to be robbed, as
they have been, Of their rights, without
any hope Of redress? Shall they remian
under the absolute control Of their East.
ern fellow citizens, SO long as the Blue
Ridge, In majestic mountain grandeur,
rears it's crest, and stretches It's Ienght
across the Commonwealth? | have no
hope OF redress under the article of the
Constitution providing for a re-apporti-
onment Of representation.
Tns east has nav maj ,rty upon joint ballot in
the Legislature, ofiwenty eIghr. aud 1t would arsue
an almost culpahe ignorance Of human natsre. 10
suppose that two thirds Of a body thus constituted
would concur ia Transferring the balance Of p,ver
IN the Stale from the East 10 the West Men love
power 50 dearly, that Notwithstanding the melan
choly lessons Of history aud experience they have
seldom Ur Ell voluntarily surrendered H. We
nave already peiIoned, in vain. for a reappouon.
ment misrepresentation. Our further remedy is In.
call OF "a convention with view of altering the
Constitution. To this remedy we now npnenI-ir
inns TOO shall be denied us IL will then be Or per
Tor me Western people in solemn council 10
determine, what Interior measures for TN, re-
covery ct their rignis ii will be necessa-
~ 10 take. To suppose that they will consent
10 remain IN their present condition would be "a,
suppose them Ia al h. r
ihe' fathers aud utterly repudate The gorons prin
cipies which animated the hearts Of their ancestor
IN Their arduous struggles for freedom I knew
Mr. Speaker. that we would be met as we have been
III the threshold OF our argument in favor OF Con.
veniion with the Inconvenience and impoljcv Of
frequently changing the organic law Of The land -
wlII here take occasion TO sIaIe that no one NOR
nighly appreciates the stability of Government than
90. Frequent changes IA the organic law nrodu.
ces spirit Of INSTRUMENTATION hostile TO liberty
u prevents mat attachment TO the Institu lions nT
Government. which lime can only Legei and con.
hfin' anu which Is necessary 10 counieract that
iondness Tor novelty and spirit Of GLANCE inherent
IN The human mind But in order TO secure mi,
desirable end Government must he based upon COR.
rect Observation-Disclosures principles
such as will stand the test Of common sense md
TIE ordeal OF experiences aud not such as are re-
P"gnant TO reason and repulsivs TO the fe slings
and SehsIOiiiueA Of mankind. Arbitrary roysrn
ments may be supported by bnyonets-Gee govern
ments can only live in the affections Of the peoplo
what 10 the character Of present constitutional
u mas lew features which enulls ito respect lis
NAN features are odlous ia the extreme. So far
as pohhca' rights are concerned II the Com
mCnwealth INTO two grand divisions thus alternating
the affections Of citizens Mountains inta,,osi,S
make enemies Of the people, who else like kindred
drops would be melted into one, identical in feeling
IN end and IA aim. primary object to be attain
cd oy ine CAL Of Convention would he the alter
o''on OF the Constitution in thus respect The PEG.
pie Of Virg mia would then he one people uoiteI IN
"a'ernai sympsthy and aiieeI"G. Sectional differ
ences which now agtaie the Stale would be mer
ged ia a common desire 10 promOie The grovStb
prosperity end glory q the Commonwealth
H1viag broken d0wa those pOitticO gengrapbicaI
"0uadsrtes' let Size constitution be based upun cor
rect principles; q Wii then be Stable 10 the heart,
OF tho people. Let . government be fotmed re-
e"g"l<lng Tue sovereignty Of the pcople--Hol ia
mere declaration Of rights, but in its Practical ad-
ian's'raiion THIS can only be duas by equa lizua
representation IA population. or ga other words s9
regulating the elective franchise ihat th throughout
me commonwealth the same amount Of population
sHal eect an equai number Of representatives. TO he
'eg is'ufe Roc although the people are sovecign
'ney DO NOS IN representative governments e1ercise
'eer sovereignty iu their primary capacity, They
delegate ther fepresen tatve e. ,gho exefci. I, a.,
them "a ths legidauvs body, the depository ID the
fupfeuio power Of the Eias. "a ence u Cdlo,ys "a
Iegu'msie detection. thai whenever any cummuni.
y = esFfivsd Of the representation which is nun
'efs enuhs q O.. g 20 - that eTieut shorn Of lie
sovereignty The Western paYt Of Virgivis h..
oowa mTst'iy q 2,250 white inhabitants. vet she
- 90 miuorHy IN the Legislature II inc State OF %
representatives, might uppesi with confidence 70
tas eaudor Of maakind, Il gDvefnmsat producing
saca sale % fhiags is s0fJhy The uams 81 rept,b
mean itis perhaps imPossihls 20 ADJUST fepss.sn.
I 'asion |" Humhsn viii ssithn1etiosi aocgfscy. YET
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