Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-11-20


found any grave serious opposition to Reform
Who could have anticipated ths, The only opPosi.
ton to this measure. yet heard Of Wea cfthe Bias
Ridge Mo4ntasa should be now witnessed ia The
County Of PerseIey7 And least of ali. who could
have anticipated that any effort would be made TO
induce the WING, or 5ERxgEEr Coukrr to throw
themselves in opposition TO those great principles
Of Human Freedom and Political Liberty. which
have heretofore constituted the cenrniug flence
and ralIsiug point Of their great and glorious Par
yf
But it seems tlat new lights have sprung up
amongst Us on this grave question; new IDEAS have
been broachsd oflbe true position and interests Of
Berkeley County nthisexciting struggle. There are
those amongst US who would sever our connection
with our natural allies Of the West and make BKRKE-
LEY a co-laborer with Amelia. Brunswick, Meek
lsnberg and other Counties South Of James River,
in rivetting upon thepeope Of this Commonwealth,
the chains of political vassalsge.
IT the enemies Of Constitutional Reform in this
County, will meet the question fairly upon its
merits, there is nothing that need be feared from
any arguments or opposition 10 which they may
reach to defeat il here. They may select their
owr time and place, and cbooss their own forum
and audience for either oral Or written discussion.
They will find shrinking on the part Of those
who maintain the expedieney OF Governmental
Change. But it is we'll known that the Wings OF
the County Of Berkeley IRE in very eminent de-
gree tenacious, loyal and fathiulto their party and
prncipes-that they are wstehfu and peibsps
even disirusiful of their oppcnents--,hst ike all
ardent politicians they readily excited by party
appeals, and from these we'll known traits Of char
acter, has the hope no doubt been entertained
by some of enisting and using those honest preju-
dices and feelings against the just extension Of Pop
ular Rights.
1t is secretly and industriously whispered about,
| am informed tina, the movement for change
in the Constitution originated with the Democrat
&c Party-that it is exclusivelya Democratic move
menS--that its whole aim is to get Democratic
Convention and to palm upon US Democratic Con
stitution.
NV donot profess to know precisely what hese
secret and elrndestipe vbisperers mean BY the
term Democratic Constitati0a-but If they mean,
System of Government that will secure to every
man in the State, and to every section ofthe State
their jus, and equal participation in the benefit Of
it's socia compact hch will insure more direct
responsibility the People oflhe agent and officers
in the State-whch will leave untouched, as indeed
h.. 81 ind nd anT
the Judiciary-and Top off those excressences Of
System which time and experience have shown TO
be useless and expensive--then they may designate
it by what epithet they please am Content TO
take it and feel grateful to the patriotism Of any
Party TO which may be indebted for the change
But far difIeIen, view Of its results is sought
to be impressed upon the public mind--not by any
distinct statement of any dangerous innovation
proposed contemplated BY ihe friends of Reform
but by a certain vague and ambiguous system OF
denunciation, such as describing it Loco Foco
movement, ard aIledges that it has had its origin
exclusively in the intriguss of that Party.
1t is to crush this FALSE AND IssIDIous MOVE
sEsr-fatal to the honor and peace of the County
fatal the integrity and ascendancy of the Wing
Party in il, that have presumed 20 submit few
facts to you.
And LIST. deny that this Conventional move
ment, either in the State OF lie this County, oriei
mated with the Democratic Party, although have
been greatly erai6ed TO observe the very cordial
earnest and sincere support which they have uni
iormly given TO it, West of the Ridge. This move
ment srrsns from one OF the most decided Wing
Coun,e, 10 the State-the County Of Kanawha-
and was brought forward under the auspices Oft
most prominent and distinguished HAigs OF Wes-
tern Virginia
I'd. OF near thirty Wing Papers published in
this State, am aware of but three, and these
printed East of the Mountain, which opposed
to the call of Convention. The RICHMOND
VINO, the great organ Of our Party, is one OF the
most ardent and jealous, i, is one of the most
talented and powerful champions OF Reform.
80. Throughout all Virginia, West Of the Blue
Ridge Mountain, (permitting me to except the
County of Berkeey) challenge the production
of the name of one single prominent and cOnspica-
Gus Wig, who has avowed himself opposed to
the call OF a Conventin.
state these facts-uot that attach the very
slightestimpo,tance TO them myself in the forma-
ton of nv iudgmenl-but TO check that system of
perver.ion of truth and gross misrepresentation
which under stand has been resorted by some OF
the enemies of a Convention in this County. Lit
tie indeed do care with what man Parry val
liable public measure might originate-if the mes-
sure itself is wise and patrutc--if il has the stamp
Of the Country upon it.-l should enroll myself as
its advocate regardless what individual OF party
might claim the honoc OF having FIRST introduced il
to Public attention. And If the day shall ever
rive when the Wing Party will b. found to oppose
sound and salutary measures Of Public Policy, be-
cause they have originated with their opponents
they will fiom that moment have forfeited every
claim TO that high and proud position which they
now occupy in the Judgment of the wise and inteli-
gent Of this land-and merit the contempt as
they now 10 so eminenta degree enjoy the respect,
il not unhappily the confidence of the County.
And why should not the Wings Of Western Vir-
GINA both originate and support this great measure
of 6oyernmentsl Reformi Are they less the advo.
Gates of sound Republican principles than their op
pouenisi Are they less interested in the advance
ment and prosperity of the S;a,e1 Are they less
4 49,, H. n IN rapo1aIltno Nd