Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-12-03
FOR THE srAuNToN SPECTATOR.
REFORM CONVENTION ADDRESS.
NO. VI.


the peculiar doctrines of our Reionners not 10
discuss their soundness.
| have taken it for granted that there still pre-
valls m our community spirit of sound ccnscrva-
tsn, and upon II have relied for the prompt con.
domination OF the doctrines, which. upon the author
formers.
was not to be expected that opinions so radical
would lead to the adoption of a conservative policy.
ana, accordingly, we find the Committee recon-
mending course which fully sustains YOU in the
remark that the Reiormers differ from the other
friends OF the White Basis in The extent to which
they are willing to GO in the pursuit of their favor
lite basis Let us, then, examine the policy recon-
mended and eudeavor TO ascertain where it is to lead
and W hat will be its probable result
The first step recommended is an appeal TO the
Legislature for the call of Il Convention to be or
ganized upon the White Basis, which. rs we have
seen, Is the only organization which the Reform
ers consider at all admissible
The Legislature TO which this appeal is 10 be
made has majority of twenty-five in one House.
ana SIN In The other, who have heretofore steadily
ana earnestly opposed the White Basis and whose
opinions as far as can be ascertainod, remain I'M
changed. The Committee are aware of this, and
YET ,ney recommend that the appeal shall be made
anu 'ncy speak with apparent confidence of success
What are the grounds of this confidence? By
what mighty influence do The Committee nropose
TO overcome this majority of ssdead and ins,rnrnt
able twenty cight2 20 Is ii by an onno,l ~ ,ho
reason and Judgment of the Eastern members
Ihey nave heretofore been found ready to meet ron.
son with argument, and by their votes ,bev h..
recorded their adverse Judgment. The eyner;mo,,,
has been tried under circumstances. at least ne e.
Voraolc TO dispassonate discussion and deliberate
decision as any which are likely again to occur. and
it has failed. '"N
is any thing expected from the fears of the Fast q
, Ire VINO calculates upon exiorting any thing from
'n t, 'Gars OF 'hose whom the Committee have justly
called ''brave and liberty loving people rccl,ons
without his host The Committee themselves dis,
claim WIN ,rscorn an appeal TO $50 groveilinp a
motive. True, they tell the East OF ian infant
giant whose wrath may be kindled :" of indiunn :
'oh 10 De visited upon injustice of resistance and
eterhai warlaIe; and more terrible than all of .o
voice oil thunder" at the polls-but they do not in
'enu W ieiSnten any one-not they-certainlv mt /,
what motive is it to which the Committee an,
peal IN That portion OF the Address relating to slave
~ IL can't he fear, for they dscaim ali such an,
Peais ana yet 1t would be fear but for the discaim
or. in difference TO the Committee will call !,
nervous scnSbility ~ "
Nhat, then, is expected from the nervous sensi
Dlliiy OF the East the subject of slavery Thoeo
OF your readers who read the Address Win alton
ZION must have been struck with the peculiar rich
ness OF this portion oft. The people Of the Fast
are told that more than half the Union. and oII
inc resi- Oh me world, are arrayed against that ne
cu'iar interest In dire and unreasonable hosjIiiv
ana tiat they adhere 10 the protection which The
constitution affords 10 it, they will cause the West
10 JOIN the formidable array This they aro in
formed can only be avoided by the establishment
Oh me white Basis, W hch will give the power of
inc oiate TO the West who, IN consideration there
o. VIII be reconctted TO the existence of slavery
and VIII join the East in IFS defence ..aoanst y
world In arms" TO refuse to acccp, this Offer
would, IN the opinion of the Committee, lie rash
The Eastern people have been tiled upop tbis
subject before, and the Committee, no doubt. re-
member the result. They considered it the part Of
prudence TO Keep IN their hands the projection
Oh an interest against which so large a portion Of
lne world nave so ''dire and So unreasonable hos
UNITY and especially did they deem it prudent to
keep IL from the control Of those who declare 1bei
readiness TO join in a war upon it. and who ro,;r
'Ii'idoic consideration 10 ''rcconcc'' them IN lie
very existence. ~ ITO
lnier from the Address that the Committee do
not expect much effect from any OF the cons;der,-
tlons nave named Their great reliance is npon
a new plaza plan of their own. They assume
that without complete .union Of EaS,ero nnJ
western Retolmeis no Convention can be had -
thal lhe people OF The West desire :; Convention
ana onty ass that IN the call of it their unolienabIe
and ndefeaslbe rights shall be respected >, that
the present Constitution sis odious TO the Eastern
helorIners IN many particulars :" and that .their
interest as well as their magnanmity," will COM
pei them to unite with the yVestcTn ReG,rnors
upon the terms proposed
III is obvious that the chances for ,be cucooss %
th's plan must depend upon the amount of d;ssotis-
lac'ioh Which prevails among the Eastern Reform |
5IS, ana me vehemence Of their desire of chance /
L his Is well understood by the Committee. and il |
IS ,hs which accounts for the Introduction into their
~ III prominent positions, Of complaints about
'ne right OF suffrage, and about the many dofc;on-
cles which exist in the Legislative. Eyecufvn and
'uu'clai departments of the Government. These
mplaintS were obviously not intended to Influence
our i'elorners, Tor III the Address thew arc can
forms. " "'"'oi 'o-
The s'cdP which spoke of in my Introductory
,uiOIl - GiS.lnctly proposed, and our Reforners
Ire ADVISED, like skillful traders to hold back-to
excite the Eastern Re(oimers and TO close With
hem iii their excitement "i'''
III THIS plan should succeed it would be snccoes
ltle to be desired. One cherished object would no
!ained' but at the expense of every thing conserva
I've or valuable in our Constitution The Consti-
u'io'i Is 10 be overhaued in advance of the meet
ny 0, 'he Gonvention-Our Committee will SUI
the letting Of the coutracts-the Adde'S
contains Inc only specification: 'the Constitution
s u. u, DC repaired and remodeed on the White Ba
us all else IS to be left to the fancy of the work
men who may be induced to contract. A1ound
'ach supposed defect will rally band of Reform
rs eager to show their Workmanship upon the old
1uiK.-l Inc newest styles viii be intrcduced-a
rennsylyana Executive and New York Judicial
y. "A rare frolic it will be, and at its conclusion q
question will arise in regard to the identity of the
iruciure as difficult of solution as was the case of
,ir John Cutters stockipg--It had not thread of
ne old yarn left Was it the same stocking
But is 1t by any means certain, or oven piCb3hle
nat this plan can succeed Is ii true that No Con
entIon can be had without the consent Of tho
YestF III have not been greatly rnsinformed nc
the course of proceeding IRON this question in
ne last Legislature, it was found thaf the Fas,
ias more ready for Convention than d. ~ '