Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-03-05
FORTY-SEVENTH VOLUME.

FORTf-SEVENTH VOLUME.
With the issue of this Number, the "MAR-
rIssBURo gazette" commences its 'Forty-
Seventh Volume" With this number also
enter upon the second year Of my Editorial ca
reer. and therefore avail myself Of the oeca-
sion to offer few brief remarks to the public.
/ look back upon the past year of my life
with high degree Of pleasure. 1t is true my
lahors have been arduous, and my vexations
many-the common lot however Of those en-
gagged in Editorial life. did not commence
my Editorial career with the vain expectation
of pleasing every person. knew that was
iinpossibe-but with the firm determination
.fca,leSsty to do my duty to the best OF my judg-
nent and conscience. | thank God, that am
enabled, upon entering on the Threshold OF
another year, to stand approved before the tn.
bunal of my own conscience, and 10 feel my
heart cheered and animated by the sweet con-
sciousnes which always follows the full, hon
est and fearless discharge Of duty. That may
have committed errors may be most true--but
if so-they have been "errors of the head and
not Of the heart" "Allthe ends have aimed
athave been my Country s, God'sand Truths"
and in pursuit Of these high and ennobling
ends, | have endeavored to the best ofmy hum
bic abilities to find out the right and pursue it
regardless of the smiles or frowns of any hui
man being | have fully, freely and honestly
expressed my views to the public upon all of
the great National and State questions which
have agitated the public mind during the past
year, and they are before the people for what
they are worth. would not if | could blot
out from the columns Of the Gazette sin
gle principle, or strike out single view there
expressed by me. BY my views and prlncl-
pies as there expressed, | am willing to be
judged-by them am willing to stand or fall.
there is no noncomit,aiism and mystery about
them, serving like ''Mokanna's veil'' to cloak
deformty In the faith of the principles as
there set forth, | hope to live-and in the faith
of those principles hope to die. They are in
my honest convictions the true principles of
popular liberty and sound Republican Govern
ment-and as such feel proud in giving
them my humble but sincere and ardent sup
port.
took charge of theEditorial management of
the Gazette" just after the disastrous defeat
of the Wing Party in the Presidential contest
ofl944. had labored most ardently with my
Party in that contest--and had done all IN my
power 10 aid the election of the great and Illus
-, b. l. afaa n,,I
his defeat the Party retired in manner from
the field with determination, "at the proper
time,' to renew their exertions in behalf of the
great Principles for which they had been so
long contending. looked upon the state Of
things as they were. and beheld every depart
men, of the National Government in the full
and undisputed possession of our opponents
and wished to do justice TO all-and to wait
the development of the policy and action of
the New Administration, and tearlessly TO con
denim what saw wrong, and honestly TO ap-
proye in il what believed to be right knew
some time must necessarily eiapse before we
could see or take hold of the acts of the Admin
istration in any way-und that the calm in the
urge upon the attention of the people of the
State, certain great and important subjects with
which believed her greatness and prosperity
intimately connected. Hence strongly urged
the call of Convention for the alteration and
amendment OF our State Constitution. because
believed that to be the root of the evil, and the
source of all the ills with which the State was
afflicted The action Of the present Legisla-
ture. conynces me that was not wrong-the
people have been again spurned by the legsla-
tive power of the State-the majority of her
freemen are still under the dominion Of the mi
nority, and there they viii remain until the
people throughout Western and Valley Virgi-
MIA shall act firmly, unitedy and effectively to-
gether in projecting and carrying forward prop
or measures of Reform.
1t is true the advocates of Reform have been
defeated for the present--hui this will not al
ways be the case. As far as the Gazette" rs
concemed-its course shall be the same while
nnder my Editorial control and management
the open and uncompromisn ing friend and
/ advocate OF judicious and healthy reform IN
our State Constitution. ! hope the ireemen OF
Virginia willyet successfully assert their rights,
and that Legislature may assemble al Rich
mond (if possible next winter actuated with
Just and proper regard for the true principles
of popular rights--and that bill will be pass
ed calling Convention Cor the alteration or
amendment Of the present State Constitution.
But whether this be the case or not--l hope 20
see the iriendso of Reform laboring on with stout
hearts and firm determinations never to yield
the contest until the power Of the majority OF
the free white people Of Virginia to rule her
/ destnies is established.
| / have no DISCUSSES to make--and though
my opinions are opposed to those of valued
! friends upon some points, am happy to be-
lieve tina, the great majority Of the people are
with me in sentiment ] know how to appre
ciate an honest difference Of opinion myself
and to tolerate it in others--so think Of The
t,ss, q hose who disagree with me IN som'