Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-09-10
TIE HOPES OF DELAY.


THE HOPES OF DELAY.
The Richmond Times comments in the fol-
lowing strain, upon the "rie,cs" Of the Iiefor-
n.ers Of the Hes! as indicated by the expression
Of the Press Itsays:
The papers Of Western Virginia are some
what divided in their views OF the recent Con.
vention at Siaunton. Some Of them, undaunted
by The remarkable fact that only three delegates
from other counties than Augusta attended
that Convention, invoke a more decisive dem
onstration at the second Convention 10 be held
NJ stanton in December The Lewisburg
Chronicle proposes TO abandon the plan of hol-
DING Conventions altogether, and that the peo-
Die. in county meetings, should send their reso-
lutious 10 the Legislature. And in regard 10
this plan, the Chronicle says:
"And it is our ardent wish that this may be
the last effort: ii denied IN this, let II be the
signal for diyision--we can't be wofsted-
and no doubt we will be essentially benefited"
Such, however, seems not TO he the better
Judgment Of large majority OF the Western
people, if we may form an opinion OF the mat
t.r from the expressions OF the press. The
Lexington Gazette, as we think, indicates
more correctly the tendency Of public opinion
In the West, when il says, "the sllmneSs OF
the meeting Fat Stanton is not TO be attributed
TO luke.warmness on the part OF the West IN
the great cause but 20 the fact that II is gener-
ally thought more polite 10 let the matter rest
until after the census Of 1850, and then to de-
mand that the rights and privileges OF the West
shall be respected"
In the mean time, il will be in the power Of
the East, by wisely liberal legislation to take
away the present grounds Of complaint, aud,
wa trust. TO allay the jealousy which has so
unfortunately arisen between the two great
members OF the commonwealth.
Now what are we 10 understand BY the
above comments First, that the Eastern por-
ton of the State, in which the controlling pow
Of the Commonwealth is placed by the present
Constitution, has welded that power TO the ag-
cTapdiseinent of their own section, and has
pursued course of aiberal legislation to their
brethren West Of the Ridge-and Secondly,
tha, tho complaints Of the West have not been
without foundation and justice. This indeed
is an important admission, and We are glad to
find that The Organ Of the .9nti- ConrentioniSts
is frank enough to acknowledge the justice OF
our complaints, and that Notwithstanding ''the
remarkable fact, that only three delegates from
other Counties than Augusta" attended the
late Stanton Convention, il is wise enough
toperceive that the Hest does not mean always
to remain quiet and submissive The hope,
however, is that the Ipest may be pached and
Quoted down by delay, TIL le50, and CIT will
be in the power Of the East, in the meantime,
hy a wisely liberal legislation 10 take away the
present grounds Of complaint, &c" This is
all very kind upon the part Of tbs East, and
no doubt the Hest will feel exceedingly rejol-
ced TO learn, that they are at last TO get "a
share Of the loaves and fishes" from "the lib
sral legislation" Of that section of the State.
composing the minority of the White popula
non of the Commonwealth, and under whose
"iberal legislation" they have been made to
contribute their substance, and to whose pow
or they have been forced to bow in submissive
vassall,ce. 1t is well for the Fast 10 take Sc
riously into consideration her illiberal leSisla.
ton, and to look beyond her own geographical
limits, to thu general prosperity and improve
,nent Of the State--a course which II seems
to us a wise craftsmanship would long since
have discovered to be absolutely and essential
is necessary to the prosperity of either section
orthe State. So far, so good, and we hope the
Legislature will give evidence Of their Eberah-
~ BY acts instead of words
The Times" proceeds altogether upon the
idea. if we understand its closing remarks, that
the ohole cause of complaint on the part ofthe
West, is want of Rail Roads, Turnpikes and
Canals. and that by ga wisely liberal logisla-
ton" granting 10 the West these privileges, all
grounds Of complaint may be removed, and
that "'the jealousy existing between the two
great members ofthe Commonwealth" may be
allayed Tue "1rmcs' is mistaken, If we
consuue its remarks rightly. There are other
causes "'or complaint which the Western
Reiormers, ave indeed and which the Eastern
Reformers have against the present Organic lG'o
Of the State, which it is not IN the Legislative
power and lberahty THE East to remove, and
which can only be affected by and through
the intervention Of the Soycrcign power Of
the State assembled in Convention. Can
the "1Gn,cs" show us how the Legislature
can correct the abominable system ''ofthe right
Of suffrage" now incorporated in the Consti-
luton Of the State--how strike down md des-
troy the odious privilege now extended to yo-
t,rs, to travel from County to County, often
times destroying the resident will and desires
of the people-how correct the evils of our
present Judiciary System-how give to the
governed the direct and immediate means OF
saying who shall be their Governors-how
regulate the basis Of Representation, so as to
recognise the people as the source OF power
10 word, how ii is possible ever to satisfy
free people, &c live under Constitution so vi
terly at war with every principle, almost,upor
which Republican form Of Government car
be based 1t is manifest that no legislation, /
matters not how wise and liberal II may be