Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-04-10

which now SO literally denounces the re-
ccption of the smaller sum. And 40 pro-
vision for i:s return or repayment has
either been made or attempted to be made
by those who affect TO "spurn base Dnbes, :"
az al impeachment Of their purity and Of
the dignity and honor Of the Common.
wealth
The difference between the two par
ties in the Legislature is this .--the self
styled Democrats undertake to expound
the Constitutional powers OF Congress,
and to nuiity en- act OF tina. body, so far
as Virginia is concened--whiist the
Wings, conserralre in their principles
and acts, are content, las % out OF 20 of
the States have been in this case when
law Of the National Legislature is enact
ed, just and constitutional 10 itself, to avail
themselves OF the advantages Of the law,
and abide all its provisions, until repealed
in the Constitutional mode, or until 1t IS
declared by the proper tribunal, to be IN
authorized and imperative.
The Wings believe Virginia TO be prop.
perly entitled TO her share Of tho Land
Fund: and, so believing, they have vot-
cd for its reception and payment into the
Treasury Of the State.
But the majority of the Senate, calling
themselves the peculiar champions OF pop
ulsr rights. have negatived the decision
ofHouse Of Delegates, and have prefer.
red to raise by TAXATION from the pockets
Of the people the sum Of FORTY-ONE
THOUSAND DOLLARS, now lying
useless, but always at the command OF
the constituted authorities Of the State. II
is for the People Of Virginia. to say whs,h.
or they ought to sustain mere party
movement, founded on so fimsy an afec-
4ation Of purity, or whether they Will Wis.,
it with just retribu,ion those faihless
agents who seem to estimate the public
virtue by the amount paid for its alleged
prostitution.
1t will be perceived, tina, the main put.
pose of the foregoing statemen. is not the
elaborate discussion OF any of the great
questions Of public policy, which is lief; to
other occasions, but tho vindicstion Of our
course from studied and reiterated mis-.
representations. This Standardization, i'm.
posed upon US by the course OF our oppo-
nents, has necessarily dsvolved on US
the necessity, to some extent, Of assalling
them.
The facts narrated, 10 our opinion,
clearly demonstrates the following propo-
sitions:
Fust-That the Democratic members
of,he Legislature, in per,insclousy reiu-
sing 10 waipe an oppression of opinion IS
to the eonstituiionahiy of annexIng States
or Governments to the u. s., BY the mode
OF join, resolution Of Congress, when it
was certain that, had that question been
pretermitted. very large majority, ap-
preaching TO unanimi,y, would have vot.
ed in favor Of the admission oil Texas in
to the Union, by any legal and cousttu.
iional mode, were influenced less by PA.
TRIoTIc than by PARTY consideration
tha, they sought TO make PARTY CAPITAL
for the spring elections, rather than the
consummation of the gree. measure which
they professed so zealously to sustain.
Secondly-That in the proposition Of
the Democratic members of the Leglsla.
ture 10 adopt as COMPROMISE, a resolu-
ton, susceptible ofopposing inierpreia-
tons, and upon which they knew that es.
sentally different construction were plac-
ed, betrayed design to be parties to
fraud upon the country, by cloaking, un.
der an ambiguous prase, "covert"
meaning, the expression Of which, in plain
and unequivocal Language, they were will
ling to dispense with.
Thirdly--Thst the failure to elect
Senator of the United States, TO supply
the vacancy IN that office, TO occur on
the 4th of March next, by the expiration
of Mr.. Rivss term of service, was a vii.
ful and pslpable derellcton OF high con.
duty, which merits the severest
censure at the hands of all men Of all par
ties who are not prepared TO give their
sanction to the disorganizing doctrine,
that an imperative requisitlon ofthe Con-
stituion may be deliberately disregarded,
whenever party feeling or party Interes,
may dictate.
Fourih--That the refusal Of the Demo-
cratic members of the Legislature TO re.
ceive the sum of S4l 500, now in the
hands of the Treasurer of The United
States, and subject to the draft Of the State
of Viginla, under the Distribution Law of
Congress, passed in ls4l, was dictated
by factious spirit of hostility TO the par
ty by which that law was enacted, and
not by aversion to the principle or policy
Of Distribution, neither of which is legi,.
mately involved in the question of RECEP-
TON Of money already authorized to be
and which, even if Virginia
shall continue TO reject 1t, cannot be law
fully appropriated 10 the uses Of the Gen.
eral Government.
With these evidences before the coun-
try Of tho manifest determetion Of the
Democratic members of,he last Legisls.
TUE to render ell questions, however liz.
ulnsically important, subservient TO mere
party ends, contemnlng, IN their eager.
ness TO affect party advantage. even
high constitutional obligation, we leave it
to the people TO say how far their course
during the late session Of the General As
sembly gives them right TO arraien the
conduct or impugn the motives of their