Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-03-19
A THRILLING APPEAL.

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from the Richmond Whig," will arrest the
mind and heart of every true son Of Virginia.
1t is worthy of the sound head and warm heart
under whose control the Editorial department,
of the Wing now is. We know the heart Of
the Editor is Sin the right place" upon the
subject of calling Convention for the altera-
ton or amendment Of the present State Consti-
tuition. Mr.. BALDWIN, as the Editor of the
Lexington Gazette" was the leading cham
pion of Constitutional Reform during the pas,
summer and fall, and he well knows the root
of the evil--the source Of all the ills under
which Virginia labors. Never, never will the
"Arab camp" be done away with until the
po,cer, which now almost precludes the very
idea of ''fixed and permanent habitations," is
stricken down by the strong and determined
resolutions and efforts Of the people. The peo-
pie have borne until their hearts are sick with
''the evils of imperfect legislation" From the
legislative power of the State, as now constitu-
ted, we expect no good for Virginia. We too
say to the people: Agitate! Agitate but let
the agitation be for the call of a Convention
that is the only body from which relief can be
expected Would to God we had the elo-
quence of Henry and could reach the minds
and hearts of the People of Western and VAL
ley Virginia--we would urge them to re-kin
die the fires of their determination-to call into
their service their best men-yes, we would
tell them, "let the voice of the People be heard
in louder and yet louder tones" "The day Of
SALVATION" says our worthy friend, sis at
hand"-where, Oh where! does he see the
dawn2 Where, Oh where does he behold the
reddening Light of the sun Of Improvement smi-
ling upon Virginia? Where, Oh where! can
he point to the glorious rays of the light of Ed
ucation penetrating the valleys of ignorance
For our part, we cannot see that "the day of
salvation is at hand"-would to God that we
could even comfort ourselves with the thought
"that the darkest hour is always just before the
breaking of the day."
Aye! "the day Of salvation" will never dawn
upon Virginia until "we grid up our loins,"
and go forth to battle with the firm determine
ton never to look back until the rights of the
People are recognized, and the chains which
now fetter the energies of Virginia are stricken
off. Every day we behold the population of
Virginia turning their backs upon US in search
Of "the promised land" Drop by drop the
blood is leaving her heart-and yet there are
those who are willing to see her die that they
may have the distinguished privilege of encir-
cling her brow in death with the wreath Of her
past renown "Peace-be stl''-disturb not
her dying moments with the rude and "Loco
Foco shout" for "the rights of the People. -
Away with such meanless and senseless cant
she must not pine away, but be raised and
''live for the present." and adopt such poll
cy as will make her renowned, great and pros
porous for ages yet to come. In this great and
important undertaking, we want the minds and
hearts and energies of the People, and of the
whole People. We care not to hear the part-
IAN voice-or see the partizan color Of any
man, if he be for the glory of Virginia. Give
Virginia Republican form Of Government in
practice as well as in theory-establish an en-
lightened and liberal system of "Free Schools"
throughout her borders-project and car ry for
ward judicious system of Internal Improve
ments wherever they are needed for devel-
opment her trade and commerce-strlkeiro from
her limbs the power which now cramps and
letters her energies; and then, and mot TILL
them" will cher march to power and pros
perityo be onward When these great ends
are accomplished, we can in truth speak and
write of the Prospects Of virginia"-we may
then calculate with some certainty that "the
day of her salvation is at hand" From the
Legislative power of the State, as now constitu-
ted, we can expect nothing--we must push
onward for Convention. The East begs us
now to be still--to cease the agitation of the
Convention question. No! MOI No! 1t is
idle to wait-a more propitious moment will
never come. Fifty years hence the minority
would tell you the same story: you are too
soon--wait few years longer. Cease now,
and the power which has the State in its iangs
viii bury its beak deep into the vitals of the
prosperity of the State and extract the last drop
] of blood that now warns her almost pulseless