Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-06-25
THE RICHMOND REPUBLICAN.


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TIE RICHMOND REPUBLICAN,.
We present with great pleasure 10 our rea-
ders this week, the SALUTAToay ApDREss Of
OLIvER p. BALDwrs, Esq, under whose
schief Editorial CONTROL" the RicHMosD RE
PUBLICAN is hereafter to be conducted The
doctrines Of the Address strike our judgment
with great force--and we feel well satisfied,
that they viii find most hearty response in
the bosoms OF the great mass OF the people in
this section Of the State, and we trust, when
they come 10 be enlarged upon, and enforced
by the intellectual ability OF the Editor, they
Will strike a cord which will thrill and yibrate
through the hearts of Virginians, from the banks
Of the Ohio TO the morasses Of Aecomac,
and frofn the Potomac to the EXTREMIST South
Western boundary Of the Commonwealth.
In the remarks which we are now about to
make, we mean not 10 say one word about the
complexion Of the "Republican" upon Nation
al issues--that portion of it is all right as far
as we Wings are concerned, but it is to ''that
common ground, on which both parties may
fiitcl anu lDulDfuS uiCli Si'i Sito lOl al W.
dear to every Virginia breast" that we mean
now to speak. Aye, the task is q glorious
one--worlhy ofthe best talents and the most
devoted patriotism of the State. It's time Viz
ginians were awakening from their slumbers,
and ''giTdiBg up their IONS" for the work. 1t
is time the trump was sounded in their ears,
and the solemn question asked them, "why
stand ye here all the day idle.?" It's time they
saw the tide Of improvement rapidly rolling
away from them, and were preparing their
boats TO launch upon its bosom before il is for
ever too late. Ii is time they were looking the
condition of things fully IN the face, and were
determining like men, who knew the part as
signed them in life, and ''to act well that part"
tits time they were discs riding that unworthy
fear constantly thrust into their teeth by those
who clutch power and who love to rule and
dictate, ''to let well enough alone" 1t is time
that they sought to impress upon the age in
which they live something of their 0lcn work
and action, and while they reverence the for
mer greatness of their Mother State, and boast
Of the renown and fame of their lluSuious ia
Tiers ,notnow to suffer hat greatness to crum5le
into nothingness and that renown and fame TO
rise up in Judgment and rebuke against the de-
geneIacy and sluggshness of their sons
Aye, indeed, it is high time that they should
look into their social and political condition
alter and abolish institutions which now in
deed are "mockeIes Of free institutions
which deny to the people from whom alone
all power is righdully and legitimately derived
the commonesi privileges-whch ask not on
ly that property may have an equal, but de-
mand for it a controlling influence in govern
ment-which seeks TO thrust "beneath the
broad-black tide of ignorance the minds of
the people for fear that education and the light
of knowledge viii show them their rights, and
how TO maintain them-which make poverty
disability TO participation in government.
while they impose burdens upon it, and subject
ii to their protection and defence both from in
ternal and external foes--which hoard the
resources of the State for sectional aggrandise-
ment, and discard tina: broad and comprehen-
sive policy which looks to the general good
and suffer "the unrivalled clements of great
ness which are now slumbering in her bosom"
TO remain there deeply buried, because sit is
overstrained and quixotic philan,hrophy" to
look at ''a neighbours advancement" but en-
tirely just and right to make that neighbor, at
the same time, contribute all of his substance
to build up his oppressor, because that OPP
pressor lives in geographical limits which pay
little larger proportion of the State revenue,
which alone arises from the fact that the very
unjust power deposited in the hands, and ex
ercised by the oppressor for selfish purposes,
keeps the means of improvement, advance
ment and wealth from that neighbor.
Yes, this s the cry of the Anu Convention
iSts-the enemies of popular rights. Keep
stll-do not agitate-''let well enough alone"
property must rule-your institutions give
the people too many privileges now. Extend
to them the right of suflrage-educate the ris-
ing generation and then, Farewell to Virginia
greatness, say they. 1t is better to be still
the time has not yet come. Well, it is as
plain as the sun in the heavens, that still
ness is but the death damp upon the brow of
the Commonwealth; it is creeping on steadily,
every day; few years more Of gmgreae, aud
death must ensue inevitably. Who that sees
even the younger States Of the Union--aye,
the maidens Of the Republic, upon whose
cheeks the morning blush of existence yet
rests-Striding before and beyond her but must
drop tear over the premature decrepitude Of
our renowned sold Molher"-sigh over her
faded laurels, and mourn to think that there
are those who wish not her brow "to bloom in
eternal green"
This cannot belt must not be--such doc
times certainly can Gndno sympathy in the Re
publican heart. Who will lead the van-who
from the Capitol Of the STATE, will boldly anC
tearlesSly speak encouragement 10 the people
who viii seek to improve the State--who Il
arouse the mind of the Legislature to the I'M
portance of throwing wide open the doors o
the mental prison and bringing deliverance I,
the Captive intellect of Virginia2 Mr.. BALD
WIN promises that he will--he has ''unshsath