Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-04-09

4 Wings of Virginia IfI had one ground d
complaint, wctsld disburthen myself Of i
with al the frankness and freedom with which
Z ] would commune with an intimate friend
Z No man has ever heard me utter one word q
+ disparagemeni of the principles and action d
the Wing Parry in this Ssate, or express a sen
tilnenf ct 0isloyalig 70 It's fame and fortunes
g II cannot 20 50 far in the expression Of my
appreciation 0f the principles and action Of the
Party IN some other States Of this Union. ]; i
because fny own iUdginenl iofbids it, Wheth-
er IN the future contests which may agliaie
tins country. shall b. found acting IN concert
+ OF y opposition 70 those with whom am row
politically associated, is a rnat,eF upon which
j u would he idle y hazard a surmlse orconiee.
iure The sair probability j.. that we shall
agree ~ iiture, as we have in past times. "Hui
sufficient for the daV is The evil thereof"
+ am no slave Of Party 81 reject its tram
mels. | owe no ALLEGIANCE 10 any invisible
dictatorship Of Party which shall control my
judgment and subjugate nay conviction.
have but one rule to govern me in the selec-
ton 81 my party associations and that is the
conscientious conviction which NAV entertain
Of the tendency Of their principles to advance
+ the interests and happiness and perpetuate the
blessings Of liberty and equality 10 the Coun-
/ ny. Believing as did that the policy hereto
tore maintained by the Wings was eminenty
wise, conservative and patriotic policy. cal.
eulated by is results 70 dignity human labor
10 enlarge the basis Of National Prosperity :
and 10 elevate the masses of the community
TO a superior condition Of wealth, comfort,
moral aud intellectual enjoyment, | have
for the last sixteen years cheeriully partaken
Of its destiny and sympathised with a pat
nots sorrow IN its disasters and defeats
Should the same exalted spirit OF wisdom and
PATRIOTISM continue to inspire It's councils and
regulate its policy. there is nota conviction
Oh my uind nor a sentiment Of my heart, that
would not constrain me with the irresistible
power OF magnetism To side with the gallant
and heroic Party with which it has been my
pride for so long period to act. But in the
decision OF this question. and Of every question
in which my political action is concerned,
viii exercise that freedom and independence
Of thought and opinion which belongs 10 every
responsible agent Of a Republican Govern
inent-regardless Of the slang and squibs Of the
political hbeiler and Of the murderous cry Of
the Party execuuoner ! am no aspirani Cor
Party or political favor ask nothing Of Pub
Inc station from any man or set Of men. | ask
merely the privilege Of pursuing my ordinary
enplovments free from the interruption and
disturbance Of Office to maintain and advance
in private life those principles Of Public Policy
and Representative government which in my
judgment are so indispensable toregenerate the
declining fortunes OF Virginia. aud to difIuse
ihe blessings olimpartial legislation and OF equal
rights TO every citizen Of the Commonwealth.
| have sad that the system Of detfaction
commenced against me from the daIe Of the
Reform Meeting ia November last. That'there
are Wings in this County with whom differ
upon the structure OF our Organic Laws and
the great principles Of Popular Government is
not to be questioned; greatly lament that it is
so. The principles which maintain on that
subject are those, which have proiessed and
acted upon since my first introduction into
public life. The records of your County are
filed with the evidences OF my opinions from
1871 to the present time. They are principles
which !. expect TO carry with me to my grave.
They are principles which have ever been
protested and held sacred by the People ofthis
County. And he, indeed would have been a
rare bird--as difficult toGndas am Irish tory, -
who fifteen or eighteen years ago, would have
been found bold enough TO oppose himself TO
the eternal and fundamental truths Of these
great principles of Popular Government
CHAS. JAS. FAULKNER
April 2. 1876.