Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-12-11

amended basis OF representation. may be 50
accomplished as to obliseraie, forever. the
political divisions which the present Con
suiuiion has fixed upon the State, and 10
consolidate our people. in all quarters, by
relationships OF interest and feeling as welI
as Of government, kindlier and stronger
than have ever distinguished them before.
And this, doubt not can be cone, unless
there IS an unwise adherence TO extreme
demands, and done too 10 the oenefit and
safety OF all, without the violation on the
one hand of any rights Of persons or OF
property, or the surrender on the other OF
any cherished principle Of government.
Blu, 10 this end. the Common wealth
must be treated as whole, and whole
incapable of being divided into seperate
interests and seperate parts by any Con-
stltuton whatever, which can be expected
to endure. Psclhcatlon and union are
the only basis upon which Constitution
can securely and firmly stand. One of
the greatest evils which Virginia has ever
encountered 10 her interal government.
which has done much TO impede her pro.
gress, to humble her fortunes and TO con.
troll the early and auspIcious promise OF
her destiny, has been the want Of felt
and absolute unity, amongst her people.
She has long, in many particulars OF gov.
eminent and legislation, been a divided
Commonwealth, struggling with the jeaI-
ousies OF contending, instead Of triumph.
ing IN the achievements and power OF q
harmonious and united family. Let her
be so no more; and let i cot be at this
hour, when all her hopes demand that
she should be thoroughly, cordially and
Indlvisibly one, thai some new element Of
discord is 20 be fastened upon her; some
new line desperation to be struck through
her territory, and thus through her peace,
and the future history Of her government
be painfully marked by the tears of the
patriot and The scorn OF the wise.
IeIas.
! Since your adjournment. the great ma
tional MEASURE, which was then pending
tor the Annexation of the Republic Of
Texas, and The admission of II as one OF
the States OF tbs Union, has received the
full consent Of the people Of that Repub ic,
and has otherwise been consummsted so
far as to require only the ratification OF
our Government 70 render it final and
complete; and this, being 10 more than 3
confirmation Of the terms first consented
TO and then submitted by itself, i; will doubt.
less receive fully and in good faith. -
Regarding the measure, therefore, as in
fact accomplished, and regarding it, more
over, in its entire range Of effect, as
timely and beneficent contributonsto the
strength, security and general blessings
Of our Unien, ] congratulate you, aud
with you our common country, upon it,
No measure since our Revolutionary day,
has given either such an illustration or
such an impetus to our principles OF Gov
ernmenl as this; and none, in any age,
nor amongst any people, has ever secur-
ed for country so rich an acquisition by
means SO honorable to itself, or so void Of
injury and Of justifable offence TO others.
The territory which we have heretofore
added TO our domain, and from which State
after State has been successfully formed,
has been acquired by the force and viz.
tue Of money only. Bui here an empire
larger than France, and ss delightful in
its natural endowments as ltsy, is given
to US, and gwen upon the single condition,
that the community which btstows il may
have the privilege Of blending is destiny
with ours, and have the magnificent dow
ry it has brought US placed forever under
the government OF our principles aud our
people. On all sides Of US, and in all Pc
RODS OF The world. we have the spectacle
of nations surrounding themselves with
bloody appendages Of conquest and crime.
But here, for tho first time, is a conquest
effected by the power Of principle and ex-
ample alone: here is the solitary instance
Of an organized people, strong 10 all the
elements Of government and self-proiec.
zion, and allured to a career OF national
independence by as inspiring motives as
we're ever addressed to an ardent national
ambition, yet freely giving up their spar
ate existence for the sake of a union with
another. BY this extraordinary surren
der OF their country 10 US, the capacity Of
our Federatve system TO bear an almost
indefinite extension, withou! mparing the
value OF the whole, or the administration
of tho particular ports. will be throughIy
tested. and with new proofs, as | doubt
not, of its augmented title to our confidence
and support. By this act, too, vas, re-
gion, of the highest political, commercial
and military importance to US. will be res.
cued from all the possibilities Of foreign
intermeodling, and thus the self. protecting
power Of the Unior be increased. and the
field Of American institutions and Amer
can government be rendered wider and
stronger than ever.
Whatever the divided judgment OF our
people upon this great measure, it NAV be
safely trusted to lis own results TO viEdi-
cate itself; safely trusted to its ultimate eff
feet upon the grOndeur Of GUY country and
the extension TO other lands, which il aids.
of the liberty spirit OF this, to disspate oil
scruples and unite all hearts upon lis side.
| The time is not distant when not a muir
muir will be uttered against it-when our
countrymen everywhere will greeti,, with
a common voice, as happy and GROWING