Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-03-06
the wisdom Of the lesson.


meuced my political career in life under the Wing
banner, and for the last twelve years, have lsbOred
afdently and sincerely la my humble way 70 adj
vance the success and triumph Of the great Conssi-
tutonal principles and truths, advocated and sus-'
tanned BY the Wing party, at the head Of which
stood that noble, gallant, wise and patriotic
man, HErRY Car. Of Kentucky. This has been
period Of fierce and bitter political stpife--and
the Wing party the greater part OF the time de-
fssted but sndiSnoge6. Adversely has never yet
overwhelmed ii-n defesi and prosperity the same
unsrEng guides hsve directed its course, and
they have fought the battles Of the Constitution
with the same unwavering fidelity, when cut down
in siae last ''entrenchmenis Of liberty" as when
upon The proud and successful fields Of her renown.
The wisdom Of Henry Clay shed its broad and en-
couraging light over our paths in success. and was
TO US the "par Of FIRE" in the darkness Of defeat.
10 the late contest for the Presidency, the gallant
Clay, ~as struck down by the snughteous and uu-
hsllowed voice Of SANDER and calumny, and not. as
the people ofthis Union. Calumny ard SANDER did
their work. and has consigned the sage and patriot
to the shades Of retirement, but 60 large portion
Of the wise, the COED and the yrtuous of the land
hang upon his lessons of wisdom with such attach
msnt and devotion, that the triumphant party in
the pride and glory Of their victory stand appalled,
and fear almost to move. They we'll know that
the principles of the Wing party. did not fall with
Mr.. Clay, and were not repudiated by the people
in the late contest for the Presidency, and that to
ensble the Government TO get along successfully
they must be adopted in practice. The Wing par
~ then are not conquered--they ere still in the
field. ssd there they intend to remain with the
sane proud banner floating over them. When the
proper time arrives they will strike again, and in
the front of the battle will be the same proud
banner. and upon its ample folds embazoned in
'iet,ers of light" will be seen the following 2rinc
pies as laid down by the lustrous Clay:
"a sound National Currency. regulated by the will
and authority of the Nation.
AN Adequate Repenwe, with fair Protection to
american Industry.
Gust restraints the Executive power embracing
a further restriction on the exercise of the Veto
IA faithful administration Of the public domain,
with an esuits5le disSr itutson OF the proceeds
of the sales Of it among all the States.
"And honest and economical administration of the
General Government, leaving public officers per.
feet freedom of thought and Of the right of suf
frage: but with suitable restraints against i'm
proper interference in elections.
can amendment to the Constitution, limiting the
incumbent of The Presidential office to Single
Term"
believe the views and principles expressed
above by Mr.. Clay necessary to the good admins
tration of Government, and as powerful in their
force now, and will be in time to come, as they
we're in the late contest for the Presidency. They
are as broad and a, deep as the foundations of our
Republican structure, and II you destroy the one
you must endanger the other. / shall therefore
eudeavour give them the ardent and fearless sup
port my paper, and battle on for them Through
good and through evil report" If their great
and illus,rious exponent should ever again be call
ed from his retirement to uphold and bear aloft
these principles, and have control of this Journal,
he shall have the humble though devoted services
Of my pen. Bot it matters not to me who 10 the
leadsr-but say in the language 81 distinguished
young wing " NHRHiu III ~ Auc oLiCc Vi
President, and all other offices in the GIFT of the
Wing party down to the lowest, al make no dis
criminations;-select any Wing, | am for him.
I'll work for him as hard as ever man worked.
though he be the worst enemy have in the world.
The Gazette shall know no favorites in the
Wig party, nor shall il while under my control
be made the Especial advocate ofthe pretensions
and aspirations of any or set OF men to the ex-
clusion or disadvantage Of other members of the
Wing party. l offer "a fair field and an open
fight" 10 ell, and they whom the people call shall
advocate and support.
Ia regard to the State Constitution Of Virginia,
| desire to say few words. The Constitution OF
the United States regards the people the legti.
mate source Of all power. and certainly that is the
only true theory of Republican Government. The
Virginia Constitution denies this truth In fact
and proetice, whatever il may profess in theory.
am therefore in favor Of calling Convention to
and make 1t conform in practice as well as theory
to the Republican institutions under which we
live. Independent of this Consideration shou Id
like TO see the Constitution so altered as to fix
some stable and just right of suffrage" and break
down the outrageous and Anti Republican system
of "double voting" so extensively practice
throughout the State, and which often serve. to
overwhelm and destroy the voice of the people in
whole districts as well as many Counties in the
State. am for extending the right of suffrage to
the people, and making all equal who under the
laws Of our country legally entitled to its exer
else. am further opposed to the present Con-
ssi,ution because believe it bears unequally and
oppressivey upon the energies of this great Valley
and Western Virginia--paralyzing and destroying
the sources az our wealth, and binding US down
meptslly sad socially to a minority power in East
ern Virginia who seem and act though they had
no sympathy in common with Our rights are
gust and the people should thunder at the gates of
the Capitol until they are heard | shall take oc.
csson from time time to csllthe attention of the
people to such rational reform as our institutions
inmy judgment need. want to see the people
move in this matter like rational men and patriots
upon enlarged and enlightened views, and not
upon the wild and destructive schemes of 3emo-
gogneispa.
have but word or two more to say and 81
have DONE We are certainly in the midst of