Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-02-26

committee in behalf Of the Legislature 10 report
bill embodying the basis Of organisation for q
convention to amend our State Constitution. IL
is fact, believe, that Capt. Baldwin did vote
in committee for the majority report, which de.
clarce that said convention shall be organized on
the Negro or Black basis. And the offence is
still more aggravating from the fact, that the a.
doption OF the report turned upon single vote,
thereby placing the destiny Of our rights in the
hands OF our own representative, (and to none
other would we have trusted them more cheer
fully,) but alas! for our confidence, it has been
betrayed, and that too, by one who must have
known that the very principle which lie sustained
was considered by his constituents as The most
odious feature Of the present Constitution. Me-
yer, never! did I suppose that a delegate from
the West, either Wing or Loco, would be recre-
ant enough to her interest to take such suicidal
course, much less delegate from Old Augusta,
so long renowned for her rigid adherence TO JUS
tice. 10 sustain the cali for convention TO
meet precisely as the last convention met, which
ne knew resulted in just nothing, would be but
renewing the letters which we have worn for
many weary years, and now fondly hoped would
be thrown off forever. Our principal object in
the call of a convention was 10 enable us TO in
crease our number of delegates there to the num-
Der which our free white population entitled us.
The population Of Western Virginia, according
to the minority report of the Legislature, is 1893,
us to 20 members in the House and l6 Senators.
The East has only free population of 375,445,
and yet she has 81 delegates and 10 Senators,
which on joint ballot gives her a majority of ii
representatives, whilst we have a clear majority
of free white persons OF 22,657, which, Capt. b.
says by his vote, shall be debarred the privilege
of a voice in the councils of the State, and be
overruled by 37,76l negroes, the last estimate,
t-sed upon the fact that negroes stand equal 10
OF the hardy yeomanry of the West, Of Old
Augusta, the descendants Of sires in whose hands
the immortal hero and statesman George WASH
ington once said, ''Liberty itself was secure
when safe no where else." l have discovered
that it is the least trouble in nature 10 make fair
promises, but to fulfil them is quite different
matter. Such course of conduct on the part of
our representative must be redressed at the hands
OF an insulted and betrayed constituency. l en-
tertain no unkind feelings towards Mr.. Baldwin.
lie was my first choice among the MANY aspi-
rants OF acknowledged worth. j supported him
warmly and cheerfuily, and it is with no small
regret, that i find myself in possession of so
grave a reason for Withdrawing my support from
one In whom had placed my entire confidence
Ind nearly every one who gave him their sup
port last spring very sore under the disappoint-
ment which they have experienced through him,
to whom they felt SO closely attached by many
ties of political interest.
A TRUE WING.
+. S.-Since writing the above, have under
stood that both our representatives have claimed
the honor OF being the only men from the West
VINO dared to betray their constituents.