Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-08-13
THE STANTON CONVENTION
AGAIN.

MOI ~ next. the 18th inst, is the day ap.
pointed for the assembling Of the friends OF
! Constitutional Reform N Contention al Siam
ton. But we are satisfied nou that the Con-
vention will bea faii,re-very few Counties as
! far as we have been able to learn from our Ex-
changes, have appointed delegates. The call
for this Convention originated in this County
at the Reform Meeting in April last, and al
though we know the Reformers here have not
done all that they might have done and ought
to have done, yet they have not been altogeth-
er unmindful of their work, and we are proud
10 believe this day, that the sentiments of the
people Of this County, are daily becoming
more and more confirmed of the necessity of a
change in their State Constitution, in many
important particulars.
Deeply impressed with the importance Of
the SrluSros CONVENTION as the great mi
tiatory step, IN bringing about thorough refor-
nation in cur State Constitution, we have lost
no opportunity, earnestly to raise our humble
voice TO the Reformers ofthe State, and called
upon them 10 give attention TO the proposed
Convention at Staunton. We met hearty
response from several Of our brethren Of the
Press, but from others again we heard nothing,
or else some faint echo which showed most
provoking indifference. Some parts of the
State most deeply interested, heretofore, in
Reform, seem to have given up in despair and
are dead upon the subject. Why is this IF
the cause is good one, why not fight on p
Instead OF defeat dampenng, il should have
stimulated effort. But II is rseles now TO in
duge in vain regrets.
There may be some delegates from the
Counties assembled at S,aunlon if so, we
urge them never 10 leave there until they take
some steps to communicate with every Coun
ty in the State, and see whether il be practical
bic to assemble Convention of the friends of
Reform in Virginia, at any time before the
meeting Of the Legislature. Uill any dele
egale from Berkeley be PRESENT. Who will
goa Yin the Originators of the Convention
fail to have Delegate ? He hope not. Well
R the Convention proves to be failure, we
have the qualification Of knowing that it is no
fault of ours. The Reiormers of Berkeley,
and wherever else our humble paper is seen or
known, will bear us witness, that we have la
bored earnestly in the cause We solemnly
believe tina; Virginia never will, or can prosper
under the present Constitution, and therefore
we have labored to awaken the attention of
the people to it, We bow to the decision Of
the people with great cheerfulness; if they are
content to remain as they are we have moth
ing more TO say--we shall now wait 10 see
their action. They must make the movement,
and whenever we see determined and earnest
disposition manifested by them TO rise up and
vindicae the extension of popular rights
and to strike off the Anti. Republican and
Aristocratical features of their present institu-
tons, we shall be with them, whether connec-
ted or disconnected with the Press. The peo-
pie of Virginia should never rest satisfied with
the existence Of the present "mockeries Of free
institutions" under which they now live--but
il is for them to say. Speak out