Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-09-03
TILE REFORM CONVENTION.

TIE EEtUHM VEN IlUN.
We placed before our readers last week the
proceedings Of the "Sr,uNros REFORM Con-
vENrios;" and the Reiormers OF Berkeley, by
this time. know what action ought to be taken
By way OF giving response upon their part
10 their proceedings. We observe that the
Press Of the State have generally noticed the
proceedings Of the Convention, and the only
complaint we have to make is with some Of
our brethorn who profess TO be Ret6rmers, and
whose fidelity we by no means question,
bet we should like them, if they mean to de
seve and gain success, to buckle on their armor
and go TO work as men aud patriots ought to
do. Every man seems 10 have his own plans
For instance, cur friend o. the Ic,eis5urg
Chronicle seems disposed 10 60 against Con
ventions--ealls upon each County % hold its
own meeting and express lis views, and let
these expressions be carried up 10 the Legisla-
tUfc next winter, with a notice that If some
thing is not done for the rclisf Of the people
and the Western portion Of the State, that the
people will take the matter into their own
hands and make division of the State. We
might cite other papers breathing something
Of the same spirit, and others again, who ought
'obcdeeply interested in reinforcement. treating
ii with senseless levity. Now we are in favor
Of Reform, because we believe ii necessary to
the prosperity Of the State, and the ,Ctole State
and the only means whereby the rights Of the
people can be gained We know. as every
Re!ormer must know, that there is 4 great diff
ference Of opinion existing among our friends,
in tie different sections OF the State, upon some
points, and that it is OF the utmost importance
that we should meet together, talk over, ascer-
tain and adjust our differences, and carry up
to our legislators some well digcsted and intel
llgent view Of our cause and desires, and then,
Il they will not act, we can appeal back 10 the
people, At the polls, for further instructions
merge every other question and make it TIE
question in the next Spring Elections in every
County in the STATE, and then, perhaps, we
may get Legislature which will act for the
people, and, if not, we shall be beaten at the
polls, and must bow to the decision. That is
what we ask for--wc ask for decision Of the
pcople--and we want to see men tried, and
evidence given boldly and above board, Of their
love for popular rights and true Republican
freedom. 1t is idle 10 talk Of dirision If Me
Slate no man viii ever live to see that done
God who knows our heart, knows we would
so as far--sacrfcr as much as any man, in
any way in our power, 10 Reform our abomi-
naoe Institutions, and to strike down the oil
sarchical power which now iiters the souls
Of our people, and, like The deadly poision, is
consuming the very vtas Of the States pros.
perity; but yet. any movement in which we
engage must be done according TO the lcrs Of
the land. We never wish to see Virginia d.
y,!ed and disnembered, and. while we would
tar her rotten and arlstocra'ical institutions in
10 ribbands. had we the power legally TO dc
SO, vet we would 90 it for the sake OF Virgin
ia zone and iadirisibie" No, no! division
of,he State is not the way TO accomplish oui
ends. We must hang 70 our native State
corhine our hearts and minds for her redemp'
ton aud relrase, and never cease our exertions
in this behalf as long as there ia one ray Of
hope to shed its encouraging light over ouT
paths. But against division we raise our
voice-againSt division we would draw ouI
sword. We are for Reform, but not for vlo-
lonec. With R,lormers we viii go ''firs', las
and all the time" To the ballot box we ap'
PEAL II the Legislature spuns again the Peo-
p,e fom ,pir halls, then, we say, lct US 81 &c