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


throw q renservatise Fviaei pss IL connection wish
the scson ofthe free AMI independent cslisers Of
Virginia spnn ,leir own svs,sm If Government
what does il meant Whist cen i meant other
than tie broad importation thai tbs People Of Vir-
ginis are no, Ct 10 be trusted wiih the organization
ef sy.s@n Of government Cor lhensssses--Ihet
they are ieeapsbie ofJodgirg Visits III their own
gaod-that thss are ignorant OF he blessings OF a
wei-fegeisted. rstiensi Liberty that ihefe y
evident reason 10 epprehcnd .hn, II ~li terminate
ia wild and turbulent s,ate u nemoorstcal An
archy.
Surely, il the general character Of the People Of
Viigniaif their intelligence sobriety. love oi or
der. aud freedom from licentoasness Of every
kind was not in itself sufcient guarantee sgsinst
such consequences, those. who indalge 10 such
grstaitous imputations should al less, be able 10
point to some one proposed ianovatioa, which #
adopted, would strike 81 the welfare OF well reg
ulsied civil government. Can any such be desig
mated boldly challenge the Indication Of one,
from any source, entitled TO The slightest respect
| have read the proceedings Of All the public
meetings which have been held in this State, !
have convetsed and eorresponded freely with men,
living East and West. on this question; I think,
I may say. without vanity, that falls possess.
ed Of all the changes and refo ms which it Is ser
ously proposed to Introduce. and con With truth
say, that | have heard of none. emsnsting from a
respectable source, which as one, attached TO the
fame and fortunes Of vitginis--as one, feslng a
deep interest for uyself and my children in the
future happiness and welfare Of this Common
wealth; as a ha,er Of mobocFatcsl presumption
and violence; and as an admirer Of peaceful, or
derry and well regulated condition Of Society snd
government, should not be pleased to see enefsf
ted upon our Constitution and regard il decided
ly improved thereby And SO pure and elevated Il
the spirit OF Reform which COW petvaics the Com
monweath; so entirely free is il, from all selfish
uess and sectioaal cupidity thu, Eastern Bstb-
ten will 6nd the most ample AID satisfactory guar
autees rendered to hem 10 dissipate every aPpre-
heasion and alarm, which they might otherwise
feel as to the possible inequality or untairness,
by the State.
The erossest misrepresentation have received
currency 90 this subject, and views aud designs
have been sscribed TO he friends Of Reform which
have local habtation but IN The heated and
uaamed brains OF the enemies of a Convention
Our objects few patriotic and simple. They
have already been frequently and distinctly pre-
sented, that ills unnecessary again to refer to them
here. We regard them as essential to the future
welfare and advancement of this State. We mean
not to cease from ON exer,ions whilst they remain
to be accomplished
And is ii not marvellous, that ia an age like this.
when the blessings Of Political Liberty ara so uni
versally difTused and so generally appreciated
when the legitimate objects OF government are so
distinctly understood; when 'he rights Of every
man, as an element ia the Social, Civil aud Poll
licsl System are SO minutely and accurately def
ned and in country, too which PROCESSES to ex.
Hbit in her popular institutions model Of all the
bes results Of political Science that il should re-
msin debateabe quesi "a TO this day in Virginia,
a'hethsr a mqjo,ay ef the People Of this Sale
ought, or ought not 10 haze The control Of The
Legislation Of The Statel Surely, il there be such
thing as progressive Democracy, ia some por-
tions of tbs Union, there must be such a thing Us
progressive Oigarchy in any County, certainly
West OF the Blue Ridge Mountain, where such a
discussion could be for moment seriously enter
tanned
But have already extended this communication
to a greater length ihon bad first Designed
My leading object in his address is TO warn you,
tibe imPosturets, which, ii am correctly informed,
are used TO excite your honest prcjudices against
the osuse of Reform. 10 guard you against the
fatal error, and the future consequences of lha,
Virginia. the enemies of the just extension Of Pop
uar Rights; TO save you from bringing upon your
selves, the Calling and bitter reproaoh OF being he
only fragment Of that glorious Parry in hls section
true principles of Constitutional Freedom. On
richly would you merit The soon AID coninmey
which have been heaped spon you by your political
hbeeis and sandeIers, II You could be made the
dupes of this bald and miserable device TO mslead
YOU. into an opposition to the rising destine' Of
your State and 10 that great cause of Popular Ref
ornation to which you have heretofore pledged
your noblest energies and exerlions.
| was informed some weeks prior to cur late
County Meeting, that the Richmond Times. The
leading moulh-piece Of the enemies of Reform il
this State. was calculating with the gsyest conf
dence upon the course which the County of Berke'
lev would adopt on the 10Th Of November Upor
what facts he predicted his expectations Of .upPor
here, and who was bis Informant. do not know
But he result of that Meeting has no doubt, since
taught him, that the inyiolabliiy os illegitimar'
Power has but few. if any advocates here. And
such will yer be the sentiments OF the free anc
sturdy yeomanry of the County OF Berkeley, wher
their Judgments and nteects have free and un
biased course--uninaaenced by secret misfepre
sentatons-and aided by the full lights of discus
sion and inquiry, upon the subjects OF their action
In every community, there will always be founc
some, whose interests, position, iscllostions anf
stake in the existing order Of things, will ara!
them against any Organic change. Every Wher
is to be met elderly gentlemen who fancy that they
monopolze all the wisdom Of their day and genera
ton, and who look with fearful, perhaps a verl
nxcu.abla distr,xt upon con,u,ttins such mig bt