Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-04-16


al Rsfof.n" IN our existing State Government,
and in explanation Of the great principles and
ends sought to be gained and indicated by the
alteration and amendment Of the present Con-
sdtution Of Virginia We regretted exceed
ingiy the feeble sta,e Of Mr.. F.'s health, hav-
ing indeed almost lefs sick bed TO come TO
the Cour House and signalise bis devotion to
the cause Of Popular Rights, to which be had
consccrated the ardor and morning of his life,
and 70 which, now, in the meridian Of his ex-
istence and the pride Of his manhood, with I'M
abated ardor, be is devoting the energies Of
improved intellect and tried experience. Not
withstanding the condition Of his health, we
have rarely heard him speak with more force,
energy, eloquence and effect. The meeting
testified their interest in his address, BY giving
a most attentive ear to him throughout
We shall not attempt to report Mr.. Faux
ner's speech--not having taken full notes of il
and what we represent is from memory
He commenced by expressing his qualification
at seeing 50 much of the intelligence and NOR
al worth oil both Of the great political parties
Of the County, assembled here in one great
common cause. He presented it as most
Striking comment upon the efforts Of the sell
fish and designing men, who have attempted
10 break down and destroy the efforts Of the
friends OF Reform, by merging the question in
the bitter and muddy waters Of political party
strife. He declared these efforts to have been
vain and futile, and predicted the terrible con-
sequences to him or them who should engage
in the work He then went into the history Of
Berkeley County in the cause ofConstitution-
al Reform from l8l5up to this time, and show
ed most conclusively from the recorded eviden-
ces in the files of the "Martinsburg Gazette"
and other documents which he had, that the
County stood aoi0 where she had stood for
thirty years past, and that the doctrines which
the Refomers were this day proclaiming were
but the echoes of the Patrlarchs Of the County
in times past--the Wards, Henshaws. Rob
insons, Hanisons, Weayers, Reeses, Orrcks,
Porerfelds, McKowns, &c.
Mr.. Faulkner then briefly discussed the
general principles for which the friends of
Convention were now contending-showing
The Anti Republican character of the present
Constitution evil effects upon theprosperi-
~ Of the Commonwealth, by daily draining it Of
its population-ts degrading influences upon
the white laboring portion Of our population,
allowing representation to property through
its owner, and denying ii TO them-,he un-
improving and undevelopng policy pursu-
ed by the Legislature to the best portions
of the State-the neglect and contempt with
which the people of that portion of the State,
undeniably containing the very large majority
of the white population, are treated by the MI
no,isu po,cer, residing in Eastern Virginia.
He demonstrated most clearly to our minds
that Virginia never would prosper as long as
she remained under the dominion of this pow
er, and that day by day she was sinking IN
power, wealth and influence in the scale ofthe
confederacy, and must continue TO do so, as
long as her institutions were clogged and
manacled by Constitution which denied her
the means of" girding up her IONS" and en-
tering the field of contest with her sister States,
who are guided and directed by more enhght-
ened, more liberal and more practical systems
of government Mr.. Faulkner touched upon
other points, to which we cannot now refer,
and wound up by an earnest and eloquent ap
peal to all true Refomers, for action in the
cause.
We have but one word, in conclusion, TO
our Reform friends--the work is now cut out
the responsive heart meets you throughout
the Valley and Western Virginia; and even
in many Counties of the East, a friendly voice
calls to you, and friendly hand beckons you
on. An eloquent writer speaks important
truths in these words -" The beginning of
a 6esgn is half its accomplishment; but this
proveToal truth is justly applied. only, when
the beginning is followed up with energy and
perseverance"