Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-06-19

ripe anu dDuHudH'. MUCH VI tIlc iitd-
ivy grain has been "lodged'' by the re-
cent rains, and it has been found ne
cessary to use the sickle in securing it..
- X x
RAILROAD CONVENTION.
We have perused with no little inte-
rest the proceedings of the Railroad
!Convention which assembled at Clarks-
burg, in this State, on the 29th ultimo.
The counties represented were, Harri-
lson, Wood, Taylor, Lewis, Randolph,
sGi!mer, Braxton, Barbour, Handy and
,Ritchie. The number of delegates pre-
sent was about 500. Hon. Edwin S.
duncan presided. A committee of 81
was appointed to draft a preamble and
resolutions, expressive of the senti-
ments of the people of Western Viz
giain relative to the construction of a
Railroad through the State, on the best
route, to the Ohio river. In point Of
talent, it was highly respectable body,
and the manly tone of their proceedings
show that they were deeply imbued
with the importance Of the subject that
brought them together, and that the
thine has arrived when their interests
can be no longer disregarded by the
Legislature. tits to be hoped that the
next Legislature may adopt more Ii |
beral policy toward this portion of the
State, thus preventing the storm which
lis gathering over us, the approach oil
which every sensible man must see
Our limits will not permit US to copy
the whole of the proceedings. That
part, therefore, only is published that
|gives the reader an idea of TIE feeling
that pervaded the assemblage. Wei
commence with the last paragraph of
the preamble, and include all the reso-
lutions that follow:
And whereas, should it so happen that, con-
rary to the dictates of sound policy, of justiceI
and right, that the Legislature will again re-
fuse the application for an extension Of thei
proposed railway, it will be the duty of the Gil
tlZeDs of the Northwest to consider, how they
can best assert their rights, and in the means
time this Convention, on behalf Of that portion
Of the Northwest, represented by them, as AMI
evidence of their earnest determination that /
their claims shall not be treated as if they I
were mere colonial dependency, DO hereby I
declare to their Eastern brethren, that whilst
they of the Northwest, are not only willing tos
Dear the burdens Of taxation for the purpose of
improving every other portion CT the State, and !
that they would rejoice in the opportunity TO /
aid their noble State in vigorous and deter
mined effort to develope its immense re
sources and wealth, and to regain the posi-
ion. which it has lost by its suplneness ands
want of energy, of being first among the States.
hat they will, on the other hand, refuseE
heir assent to any appropriations, for the i'm
provement of other portions Of the State until f
their rights have been conceded to them, TOD
improve their portion of the State by their ownz
II such other means as they can coulaaand.-S
Therefore,
|. Resotred, That all Governments are, ors
jught to be, established fer the protection of
he rights, land the protection of the intelligence
virtue and happiness of the governed.
2. Resolued, That all well organized gov
specify or imply a compact, whereby
he people surrender some Of their natural
rights, and promise obedience and support, ins
view of an adequate consideration, which is toll
De found in such exercise of governing authori-
iy as tends to secure to the whole people thes
greatest amount of liberty and happiness of {
which they are capable.
3. Resoired, That when the citizens of this i
contributors to the commons
charge, ask corporate powers to do that which
they may Of right do as individuals. and \
which will manifestly advance their interestsH
without injury 10 others, they are not asking al
favor, but claiming a right which may not be /
denied without tranping en- one Of the most
prominent features of our system of government.
4. RssolUed, That the claim of Northwes-
tern Virginia to Legislative authority for con-
Rail Rood through the State on thea
DeSt IUGtc, on lHeIT own SCH, ana Win tfeIrA
own resources, is not a mere naked affair off
temporary expediency and still less a merea
question Of favor, but involves the very princi
pies on which our liberties are founded; andH
the continued refusal of the government toH
grant such right, tends to abrogate its correla
tive right to demand Of US obedience ,deterenceS
and support.
5. Resolred, That it is The deliberate opin- !
ion of this Convention. that the refusal of the2
General Assembly. at its last session, to ineor-
poraie company for the construction Of Rail {
Road from The Potomac to some point on the (
Ohio, upon the application of respectable :
portion Of the delegates Of the people of the =
Northwestern part Of the State, was an arbi-
trary exercise of power, departure from that =
fundamental maxim CT republican government
which enjons that equal rights be extended
to all, exclusive privileges to none, are unpre
cedented in the annals Of Virginia legislation
and that the denial of such application is aE
wrong of sogrievous a character, as if persisted
in, may lead to consequences greatly to be de- s
plored by every loyer of the true honor and in
ef. IL, LII