Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-12-04
BrRKrIrx REFORM MEETING.

The meeting held in this County on the 10th day
Of November, has produced a marked sensation
throughout Virginia, if We may judge by the extent
to which its proceedings have been noticed and
! commented upon BY our exchange papers through
| out the Commonwealth If there be those, who
have the ability to overthrow the positions assum-
ed by the People of Berkeley County in that pri-
mary meeting, none at least have SO Ear shewn the
inclination to embark in the effort. The truths an
nouncsd upon that occasion, have walked through
the ordeal of public scrutiny; hailed by the lover
Of Civil Liberty in every part of the State, and if
read. not FAT a: least, controverted by the stick
lers Of Legitimate Power and minority government
1t would occupy more space than we cou Id de-
vote to the subject, to copy all the notices which
have been taken throughou the State of our pro-
ceedings I'VE will conGne ourselves at present to
two leading Wing Presses-the one in the heart OF
the Valley, the other in the centre of the North
| Western region of the State.
| The County of Roek6ridge stands as high as per.
haps any County in this Commonwealth, for its in
domitable Whggery. its general intelligence, its
public spirit, its and institutions ofeducstion,
and for the steady and conservative character of It's
population.
The Wing organ of that County thus refers to the
Berkeley proceedings -
| We published in last brief notice of the late
Convention meeting in Berkeley. IL would occu-
Ply all our space we're We to notice in detail the
proceedings of each of the western counties, for,
we are happy to say, the whole west has been so
thoroughly aroused that scarcely section of il
but has assembled and given utterance to its deep
feelings upon this absorbing subject. OF all the
meetings, however. which have been held, we know
of none more important than this Of Berkeley, both
from the position, influence, and slaveholding in
terests of the County, and from the great numbers
which attended the meeting, and The bold and de-
ctded exposition Of Western rights and Repub
leon principles sghieh tras made. No falterng
spirit, no halfway measures 10 bs found in any
of their proceedings. We welcome Berkeley into
the fraternity of Convention Counties, with hear
~ good will 1t was pretended that she op
posed that measure, but gust in the nick of time,
on the eve of the Legislature she has told her own
| story, and the ear must be deaf indeed which can
not hear THIS THUNDERIsG BEoADslpE FROM HER
GUNS.
After devoting then column of his paper to an
examination and approval in most fatteriug terms
of she views advanced by Mr.. Faulkner in his
speech, he concludes as follows:-
| We are glad to sec that the meeting in Berkeley,
which, 10 point of numbers is said TO have equal
led public meetings in the most excited political
times, sanctioned by and overwhelming majority the
views expressedby Nr. Faulkner in his able speech,
They are the true Republican principles and every
| true Republican and faithful son of the Common.
whealth should devote every energy Of his soul TO
their triumph, and relax his exertions, until
those sentiments are recognized and established as
! the organic law Of the State.
The "HaryisOn Republican" an ardent and in
auental Wing paper in the Northwestern part of
the State, thus refers to our proceedngs;-
REFoRM-BERKELEY COUNTY.
| We observe in the last Martinsburg papers that
our native county OF Berkeley has strongly spoken
out for change OF the State constitution. large
meeting of the people, without party distinction.
assembled in the Court house on Monday the 10Th
| inst and after considerable discussion, adopted
preamble and resolutions declaring their opinion
that the constitution of Virginia should be substitu-
ted for one more liberal, aud insisting upon the
sapization Of the two houses of the Legislature
"upon The broad basis of the white population of
the whole State" We desire 10 give the old and
respected county OF Berkeley the credit which Is
Justly due her for coming forward TO sustaina
ment which decidsd majority of the State has
/
Stanton convention of 1871 and the State conyen-
ton of 1929 both received their first impetus, thus
showing that her citizens have always been in favor
of sustaining and guaranteeing the liberties of the
people, and prompt in moving upon the subject of
reform whenever their voice has been called tor by
the exigency of the times.
| Next week, we shall publish the timely and able
remarks Of CHAs. J. FAuLxsER, Esq. who was a
! prominent speaker on the occasion. which we ind
substantially reported in the Martnsburg Gazette.
| In view Of the position Of Mr., Faulkner in that
part oftre Valley, his liberal sentiments in the
meeting. bur moro particularly his warm advocacy
of western rights and interests willis. he was In the
Legislature, which are sensibly appreciated by the
western people, we think his speech will be read
with much qualification in this quarter Of tho State.
and shall lay il before readers with pleasure in
our next number.
0y-Ths Message can be had at this Office at !