Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-07-23
THH STANTON CONVENTION.

THE STANTON CONVENTION.
We had an article prepared for oslr paper
fsis week, upon tho subject Of the proposed
~STAuYrox CoNYE.TloN' the friends Of Con-
siittltional Reforrnn which, we had gone more
into detail than we shall now do but which
we are induced TO lay aside for the present,
until We can get the proceedings Of the meet
ing Of several Counties. which, we observe
in our lats exchanges, are about &c be held for
consideration upon the subject We should
Ike to see this Convention fully represented
it's matter equally interesting TO Eastern as
well as Western Virginia, and which we shall
ehdeavor TO demonstrate in our columns If we
can get fair and impartial hearing. We are
exceedingly sorry TO see that a construction
has been placed upon this ''STAuNroS Cox
yEsrIoS" which was never intended by the
Berkeley Meeting, who originated it 1t is not
desirable at all that il should be a Convention
ofDelegates from the Uiestgh.e Blue Ridge"
We DO NOT think a Sectional Convention cal
culated to accomplish the desired end on the
contrary, likely to produce jealousies and pre-
JUDGES fatal TO the cause and the extension Of
popular rights. We are devoedly welded to
the cause of Constitutional Reform, because
we believe that justice and the best interests Of
Virginia, in every view Of the question, re-
quire il. we know there are Reformers in
the East anxious TO cooperate with us--they
must not be excluded, therefore, from acting
with us; on the contrary, welded, as We all
should be, 70 Virginia, s'ol'e and tadirisi6lc,"
we should be found acting together for the
common interest, glory, renovn, and prosper
ity of our Native State. We have often eZ
pressed our fus and entire confidence 10 the
integrity and patriotism Of Yirglnians we are
moi afraid to meet with them in Convention TO
sonSuA for the general good - we caro- not
where they are from-,hs East or the West.
That theye are conflicting interests in the State,
we do not pretend to deny; tits, therefore, IN
our Judgment, Of the highest importance that
the State should be brought together in Con
ventien, 'Jfesh from The people," that these
conflicting interests may be better understood,
and compromised upon such a basis rs 10 Teu-
der perfect security TO all parts Of it, and at the
same time to extend justice to the people, and
recognise asG establish rights which are now
denied to them in contradiction Of every pru-
eiple And feature Of sound Republican Gov
srnmsht We want the wishes Of the people
clearly indicated and set forth TO the Legisla-
tnre. and demand made upon them to sub
mi, the question, at least, Of CorvEHTIoN or
No CoNyENrIoN 20 the people this must be
done. and thu sooner the better. Our Eastern
brethren may rest assured Of one thing--that
as long as they hold out in opposition, so long
will the peopleof the West agitate the question
they win petition and remoaStrate until these
remedies hopeessly fail; and then, we solemn
" believe, they will take course deeply TO be
regretted by every true friend Of public order
and good government. But patience may
wear out, andthepeople Ia driven TO announce
10 the world that 'they were disposed TO suffer
while evils wers suderable," and that it was
only because these evils had become insgGcra-
lie that they were determined ''to abolish the
forms 70 which they were accustomed"
This thing is plain--yes, as plain as the sun
in the heavens that the people will not always
submit as an established truth, in this Re
publican land. tina, the majority must and will
rule. 1t is useless for minority to expec; or
desire to hold the rule over a rasjority--and
especially so, here in Virginia, where the mn
nolly boldly expresses its distrust in the hon
ssty, patriotism, and justice Of ths majority
1t is well to be plain upon the subject, the East
fears to trust her Slate population in the hands
of her brethren Of the other parts Of the state
Fhe fear is groundless-she is always safe
the Valley (even if Western Virginia were
disposed TOT erfere, which we would as soon
believe as that Christianity was a iable,) under
all circumstances, upon that question mus, be
her ally--beng as dseply interested almost in
that description ofproperty as the East. Could
vs think for one moment, that such was the
grousd Of action on the partoI the Relormers,
we should abandon them in an instant. Could
we think that psope striking for their rights
as freemen and Republicans, were actuated by
such gtoyeng considerations, we should
despise our company. Could we think that a
psople anxious for the improvement OF Their
social, intellectual and moral condition weTa
actuated by such UNJUST and despicable consid-
erations as opposition to, and oppression upon
the interests and property ofany portion OF the
State-we would be amongst the first to de-
uounce taem AL we ask, is an extension e
US of our rights as freomen--tRat the people
may be recognised as the legitimate source Of
power-thai the means be afforded them otIm-
proving ,Aeir condition--that the governed
shall exercise voice in choosing their Cover
nors-that the burdens and blessings ofgovern'
menS shall be equally dstrbutsd--tbat Other
= ights aad considerations shall be regarded as
"a az the possession Of propery-that prop.