Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-09-25
Tue GAZEETEn
MARTINSBURG, VIRGINIA.

! CG1- T@SG1G1 IG
IMARTINSBURG, VIRGINIA.
/ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1915.
Published every THURSDAY MORNING
Mt $500 In advance, $3.50 within str
months, and 800 at the end of the year
~NNNN~N%N@-~N~N%< N~NN~NNN~NN
CONVENTION MEETINGS.
We transfer TO our columns this week the fol
proceeding. of the Reform meetings recently held
in the neighboring Counties Of Jefferson and Hamp-
shire. # will be perceived that neither Of these
Counties have gone into details, but have content
ed themselves with an expression Of general prin-
ciples, and call upon the Legislature at their
next session to provide by law for taking the sense
of the people on the cali of Convention, TO make
a new OF amendments to the present Constitution
of the State. Perhaps this may be the pru-
dent course, and IL majority of the friends of Re.
form think so-we are content. 1t is DOUBTLESS
very desirable that our councils should be uni
ted as possible, and that we had better refrain
Of reform and leave them to the consideration Of
the Convention when formed. The great objeci
TO be attained now certainly is the call Of the Con
vention, and upon this point we all agree.
We have also on file the proceedings Of The meet
| ings in Fayette, Bortetourt and Nicholas Counties,
which we shall lay before the people of Berkeley
| in our next paper These Counties, without en-
terng into much detail, boldly and emphaticay
declared their opinions in favor of representation
upon the white basis alone" This basis is assn.
med as we'll for representation in the proposed
Convention, as representation hereafter in the Lee
gisat1fe, Sc. Here is one OF the resolutions pass
ed BY the Faystte meeting:-
"Resoired, That Convention so TO al.
ter and revise the Constitution, should It.
sci: be constituted on the white basis, as
any other assembly would be unworthy OF
representing freemen and subverslve OF
the principles OF Anglo-Saxon freedom"
| These opinions warmly urged by the Hon.
George w. Summers, the late distinguished Repre-
sentative in Congress from the Kanawha District,
and other speakers who were present. We fully
and entirely agree with our brethren OF the West,
and we hope when the people of Berkeley meet,
they will at least distinctly and clearly define
their position upon this point. Upon this point
il is evident the battle is to be fought in the Legs-
lature, and it is therefore al-important that the
Reform Counties should fully and openly express
their opinions and present undivided front in ia
vor of the white basis." Ii ia evident, from the
tone of the meetings in the Eastern Counties, that
they will vigorously attempt 10 crush the whole
subject upon the question of submitting "Conven-
ton or No Convention" TO the people. For in
stance, the people of Nottoway resoloe, LIST. That
they are unanimously opposed to the call of a Con
vention to alter the Constitution OF the State-2d.
! That they are opposed to that preliminary step
thereto--the passage of an act by the Legislature,
to take the of the people upon the question OF
calling Convention-3d. That, as a Slsve-hold-
| ing people, they unwilling to confde the legis-
ative control of their property to nom Slavehold-
| ing community, This is fair sample of the pro-
| shows their determination TO make the free white
citizens of the State submit to the representation
Of siaues. and the majority to submit to that mi
nority power which has so long sat like an incubus
upon the prosperity and rising greatness OF Virgin
ia. 1t is unjust in our Eastern brethren TO take
the stand which they have assumed, and the West
should meet them and throw back with deep and
burning scorn the base and ungenerous charge that
they would unjustly and wsntonly interfere with
and legslste upon their slave property. The
Counties of the Valley are deeply interested in
slave property, and yet fear to trust that
property TO the care, protection and legislation OF
ViIginians, not from what quarter they
come, whether from the mountains Of Greenbrier
or the marshes Of Nottoway.
| We believe the white basis" to be the only true
ard Republican mode Of representation, and upon
that position wish to the friends of Reform
plant themselves 6rml, and steadfastly and war on
with undismayeG hearts until it is fully recognized
and responded to. Our Representatives and Sena-
tor should fully understand our views upon this
point, SO that they may act without embarrassment
and Misunderstanding. We wish no noncommit.
taiism upon the subjective do not wish our Del
egates 10 go to Richmond, and when they insist
upon the white basis, to be tainted by their enc.
mics, and the proceedings Of the meeting OF their
County produced to show that the people declined
to express opinion. Ii the people of Berkeley
are in favor of the white basis" hope they will
say so, and If not let them express themselves in
opposition. If this issue is made in the Legsla-
ture, aud il can be ascertained that a Convention
cannot be formed upon Republican basis, we
would prefer no provision being made to ascertain
the sense of the people upon the susject We new
/ er wish to see the freemen Of Virginia assembled
in any Convention which is not formed upon the
white basis" Any other holds out no prospect
of relief against the grievances and expressions of
which we now justly complain. The friends Of
Reform must meet The East ~ifk an undivided
front.
MCCORMICK REAPER.
We direct the attention of the Farmers Of Bsrke-
ley to tho advertisement Of JANIS NJ. HIRE e.