Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-12-12
TO The Senate and House Of
Representatives, Of The u. States !.


ing our gratitude to the Supreme Ruler
OF the Universe for the benefits and bless
ngs which our couutry, under the kind
Providence, has enjoyed during the past
year. Notwithstanding the exciting
scenes through which we haye passed,
nothing has occurred to disturb the gen.
eral peace, or TO derange the harmony OF
our political system. The great morsl
spectacle has been exhibited OF nation,
approxImallng in number to 10000, 900
Of people, having performed tho high and
important function of electing their Chief
Magistrate for the term of four years,
without the commission OF any acts ofvio.
lence, or the manifestation OF spirit of
insubordnaiion 10 the laws. The great
and inest;mable right of suffrage, has been
exercised by all who were invested with
it, under the laws OF the different States,
in spirit dictated alone by desire N
the selection of the agent, to advance the
interests Of the country, and to place be.
yond jeopardy the institutions Under
which it is our happiness 10 1--we. That
the deepest interest has been manifested
by all our countrymen in the result Of
the election, is moi less true, thao highly
credtable 10 them. Vast mulliiudes
have assembled, from time to time, at va
r'ous places, for the purpose Of cansassing
the merits and preieniions Of those who
we're presented for their sutirages; but no
armed soldisry has been necessary to
restrain, within proper limits, the popu-
lar zeal, or to prevent violent outbreaks.
A principle much more controlling was
found ln the love Of order and obedience
to the laws, which, with mere individual
exceptions, every whero possesses tho
American mind, and controls with an in.
fuence far more powerful than hosts OF
armed men. We cannot dwell upon
this picture without recogn sing in j. that
deep and devoted attachment on the part
Of the People, to the Institutions under
which we live, which proclaims their per.
peluiiy. The great objection which has
always prevailed against the election, by
the people, Of Their Chief Executive Off
Ger, has been the apprehension Of tymuts
and disorders, which might involve in
ruin the entire Government. A secur.
ty against this, is found not only in the
fact before alluded 10, but in the addition.
al fact that, we 1--we under conlederac.y
embracing already twenty six States; no
one of which has power 10 control
the election. The popular vote in each
State is taken at the time appointed by
the laws, und such vote is announced by
the Electoral College, without reference
to the decision Of the other States. The
right Of suffrage, and the mode Of con.
Quoting the election, is regulated by the
laws Of each State; and the election is
distinctly federative in all its prominent
features. Thus it is that. unlike what
might be the results under a copsolicated
system, rio,ous proceedings, should they
prevail, could only effect the elections in
single States, without disturbing 10 any
dangerous extent, the tranquility Of others.
The great experiment of a political con
federacy-each member Of which is su
preme-as TO all matters appertaining 10
its local interests, and lis internal peace
and happiness, while by a voluntary
compact with others, It conides TO the
united power Of all, the protection Of its
citizens, in matters not domestjc--has
been so far crowned with complete sue
cess.
The world has witnessed is rapid
growth in wealth and population /: and,
under the guide and direction Of SUPER
intending Providence, the developments
Of the past may be regarded but as The
shaiowDg forth of the mighty future. In
the bright prospects Of that future, we
shall find, as patriots and philanihropsls.
the highest inducements to cultivate aud
cherish love of union, and to frown down
every measure or Effort which may be
made to ALLEVIATE the States, or the People
Of the States, in sentiment and feeling,
from each other. A rigid and close adj
herence to the terms of our political COM
pact, and, above all, sacred observance
of tho guarantees of the Constitution, will
preserve union on a foundation Which
cannot be shaken while personal llber-
tv is placed beyond hazard or jeopardy.
The guarantee Of religious freedom, oi
the freedom of the press, Of the Liberty OF
speech, OF the trial BY jury, Of the habeas
corpus, and of the domestic institutions OF
each of the Siales-leaving the private
citizen in the full exercise oil the high and
ennobllng attributes of his nature, aud to
each State the privilege which can only
be ludicously exerted by itself, of consult
ing he means best calculated 10 advance
its own happiness, these are the great
and important guarantees Of the Conslitu-
ton, which the lovers of liberty must
cherish, and the adyocates Of union must
ever cultivate. Preserving these, and
avoiding all interpretations by forced con-
structiou, under the gulse OF an imagined
expediency, upon the Constitution, the
influence OF our political system is deslin-
ed 10 be as actively and as beneilclally
felt on the distant shores Of the Pacific,
as i Is now on those OF the Atlantic
Ocean. The only formidable imPedI.
ments in the way Of its successful exPan.
SION (time and space) arc so far IN the
progress of modification, by the improve
ments of the age, as TO render no longer
speculative the ability o. Representatives,
from that remote region to come up TO the
Capitol, so that their constituents shall
participate in all the benefits of Federal
Thus il is thai, in The pro-
o,aso If time Inc inestimable prineiples