Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-07-02
al ( toa which works best and produces the

that Is best which works best and produces the
greatest amount Of justice and happiness in
the community, whether il be attained by the
0retical reasoning or by the tossing up Of d
cent. If. therefore, the present distribution
Of power works wen fof our interests, would
moi exchange Il for that founded on the white
basis, although il may be theoretically more
correct This brings me 10 consider
2dly: How the interests Of our particular
section Of country would be affected By adopt
ing the white basis as the rule for distributing
political power in the different sections a the
State Ii Tie white basis were adopted, the
extreme East would lose seven members IN
the House Of Delegates the Piedmont country
six, aud the Valley one, all to be added to the
extreme West. As the representation now
stands, the Valley, united with the country at
tie foot Of the Blue Ridge, has majority Of
the whole number in the House D. Delegates ;
and were the white basis adopted, in ike man
ner the Valley and the extreme West, united,
would constitute a majority. The question
for ITS to decide, then, as we hold the balance
Of power, is, whether our interests are more
united with Loudoun, Fanqueir, &C., than
with Scott, Tazewcll, Lee, &C., or even Ran
dolph and Ritehie9 Can any intelligent man
doubt the greater similarity Of habits, man
Piedmont neignbors, than with those people Of
the extreme West Of whom we never heard,
who trade to a different market, look TO other
political and private connections, whose inter-
ests, agricultural and commercial, are different
from our own? We are now connected with
tax-payng community like ourselves,
who have always advocated internal improve
ments, conducted on a scale and plan to suit
the condition Of the country but who would
unite with US in opposing any extravaganza
plan, intended only for the benefit Of part, or
conducted on plans which, we have seen by
the experience Of otner States, must lead 10 re-
pudiatlon or eriegously heavy taxation. ! be
heye Virginia has only avoided these evils by
the present distribution Of power; that had the
extreme West been INDUCED in its Rail Road
from the James River to the Tennessee line,
which it at enc time so loudly demanded
and another from Gordonsyille TO Point Plea
SAINT with many other little byworks which
il thought it mad n right TO demand, and
the continuation Of the James River and Ka.
nawha Canal, all on State account entirely,
and 10 be effected by loans, the reputation of
Virginia would not now have stood higher
than Illinois, and would have been burthened
with taxes five times greater than at present.
Ii is true the extreme West would have been
more prosperous amidst the general distress
than She now IS, because, whilst all these inn
provements would have been for her benefit
The bunhen upon her people would have been
comparatively light At the present rate OF
taxation the East pays go cts. for every nhab-
liant, the Piedmont and Valley 50cts.. and the
West but 30cts The effect then, Of this effort
to change the balance Of power, isto take from
lbs and those with similar interests with
~. r., ,Io,ir, 81,
lin0n those who have TO paw them, and give
d.at power into hands who have an interest in
abusing il. / have no jealousy of the West
have always favored her interests, felt anx-
ious for her improvement, and aided every
prudent aud proper scheme TO promote it but
whea il comes to q question OF disarmng our
selves Of the power OF defending our property
and delivering over TO others the power of tax
ing il ad-libnum fer their own benefit, must
confess my sympathy with the West stops
Short Of that point
/ viii now consider, 3dly The effects Of
this change on the County of Berkeley. The
Valley must lose one member, and every one
knows that member must be taken from this
County. Now are our political interests most
apt to be respected when our representation
constitutes G7lh part Of the whole political
power Of the State, or when II g only the 1921
part win not argue thispoint, but will call
The attention OF the people of Berkeley, Jeiler-
son, Clarke, Frederick, Morgan, and Ilamp-
,au. TO the fact, that almost every desirable
Improvement for our convenience is already
elected and that, for the most part, without
amy contribution from the State, or any tax
upyu our lelow-citizens. They can therefore
~ no claim upon our gratitude, to repay 0
b. NJ reciprocity. | would not encourage a
s.,.h policy because our own wants are sup
iGct;l would submit to be taxed sufficiently
Io effect all really necessary works, IN proper
tame and in proper manner; but would de
arc our people 10 retain some power to reg
u,ljs these matters. To sacrifice this TO a
luera chimera Of theoretical right would be q
display of political chvalry, at which all man
Lind wood wonder and laugh. II thought
there Were real practical evils TO the people, OF
any real injustice 10 the West, taking all things
into consideration, resulting from the present
distribution OF power, should certainly advo-
cate the call OF a Convention TO redress them
and run the risk Of other evils; but believing
thatother by wisdom or chance, the last Con
yenl.oA sTucl, upon very wise rule for this
,leet, can see many reasons for sustaining
and none for altering it.
These are few only Of the reasons which
Lave decided my mind against the eXpedeney
.I uoip calling Convention, but have Meth
30 tome nor inclination at present TO enlarge
upon them. am yours, SC,
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