Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-08-20
YzoM TIE RIcHMorD Enquirer
REFORM CONVENTION.


MrssRs EpiroRs IL proposed, some time
ago. a reinforcement of the Reform Conyen-
non. WIKI suggestion that II should mes 10
me city of Richmond, on the 18th Of Deem
Der am happy 10 see the proposition has
been received IN the West with the same Iber-
al spirit from which il e1saBaled, and should
have had no necessity to ask another place IN
your columns. but for the views OF yoar cor
I respondent West" IN the Daily Enquirer OF
SATURDAY., the Is: August He thinks my
nrouosition ssfatal 10 the cause al Reform, and
| had he proved ii 10 be 50, ] assure BIN, IN ali
candor and frankness. be would have received
my sIncerest thanks for the kind exercise Of his
wisdom; for long TO see the miserable beteit-
trork Of our existing Constitution, with all the
abuses and corrupnons il has thrown around
I the high prefogative oi suffrage, superseded oy
la new form OF government. based upon sound
republican principles, and imbued with the
most elevated spirit OF justlce and Of liberty. l
want such Constitution, as VIII ensure econ
omy in the administration of the Government
industry and fidelity in all our public func-
tionaries--equal and light taxaiicn-a speedy
and cheap dlspensanon Of public justice--a
strict and sacred preservation oil the rights Of
( persons and property--the periodical election
! of the Governor and Justices Of the Peace by
/ the people--a limitation Of the terms Of our
Judges--an extension Of the Right OF Suffrage,
but TO be confined TO the people OF each town
and county in the State entitled TO seperate
rescntation-biennial sessions Of the Legis-
lature, the elections TO be held in advance
lthereof-a wise system for the extension and
diffusion Of popular education-and some safe
and ehectual mode, if practicable, to enforce
the right Of instructions upon the representa-
tives Of the people in the Legislature. These
are substantially the reforms, and this the
plan of government for which ! contend, and
mention them only 10 show, that although
hail from the East, yet am IN heart and mind,
a Reformer-a JetieTsonian ReioImer, and
that if my proposition 10 hold the Convention
in the city Of Richmond be 'Jatal' 10 the cause
OF Reform, it sprang from my ignorance alto
gether. and not from any wish to commit so
great an injury 10 50 good cause. But real
/ ", think, still, am right WEST need
not allow his mind to De terrified at the Orer-
,clleimug delegation" which may pour into
the Convention from "Rlehmond and Peters
burg :" or from the whole oil Eastern Virginia,
for [ assure him, in all good faith, the Conven-
ton cause is not so popular here as he suppo
SEES The real difficulty will be in getting even
a respectable number TO attend and il is be-
cause Eastern Virginia is so generally, nay,
almost universally opposed TO a Convention,
that | think the friends of Reform ought 10
meet in Richmond. Again, say, ''no salu-
tary influence can be exerted" by meeting
of Western delegates at Staunton because
there, and in all Western Virginia, the people
are nor known to be united in favor Of Con-
vention to amend the Constitution. Here, in
Eastern Virginia then, in the Capitol of the
State, the ReiornerS of all sections, and from
every county, should convene, by delegates, to
IL 4. a
al and wise scheme Of future Government,
such as will secure the rights, and advance the
happiness of the people OF the whole State
Then, we may expect to make converts, and
to win advocates to our cause--then, we may
indulge in the fond anticipation that the day
the Sabbath-of our rest is near at hand
when we may be permitted, with wise, a
lust and truly Republican Constitution in our
hands, to ''sit under orr osn ries and fig trees"
10 enjoy the rich fruits OF our tolls and our VIC
torY-then too, when we shall have consign-
ed the present bungling and rcketty Constitu-
ton, with all It's defects and abuses, TO "the
iombs of The Cdptdets," and amazed ourselves,
to our hearts content, with the wonder, that
il should so long have been permitted TO ride
the body polite as cruel Nightmare, we may
well look back upon the meeting of this Re
form Convention in Richmond as an occasion
worthy of an annual celebration. But truth
and caudor forbid me from deceiying our gen
erous and patriotic brethren, the reformerS Of
the West 1t is IN vain to expect the rich and
inestmabe blessings here predicted, from
Convention either in Stanton or in Richmond,
If, as ''West' mtmates, there be no spirit Of
compromise upon the question of representa-
ton beyond the mountains. The contest up
on that question has been waged now for thir
ty years. and public sentiment both IN the East
and the West, remains wholly unchanged
and, | venture to affirm, without a compro-
mise, effected by more liberal feeling in the
two grand divisions OF the State, it will endure
until doomsday, and the ''three days Of grace"
besides. There are Mtraists in the East as
well as the West-of hearts as stout and minds
as firm-who will not concede ''oae jot on title
Of Eastern rights )" and Convention formed
Of these two opposite parties could come to no
agreement, and must adjourn ''re iyecta,"
with no other result than renewed eXaspera-
ton and increased excitement Hence the ne
oessty OF that Cancellation and compromise TO
which briefly adverted in my former COM
municaon.
The people-the honest masses in both sec
tons Of the State-must take this matter into
their own hands, and take care TO appoint del
egates who win represent them Sin spirit and
w UUd 1 bNaNfS tAiNAN Ia 'Au haN'N"n
position in the East to meet and reclprocate the
liberal feelings manifested by the resolutions of
the Marshall county meeting, and in many of
their presses Let this spirit grow and flourish
Presently it will concentrate in both sections,
and when il receives its onward impulse, the
politicians will wheel into line, the question
will be compromised, and the contest will then
be for priority in the ever glorious cause of
Reform. Thanking you, Messrs. Editors, for
your kindness in SO promptly presenting my
| former communication TO your readers, hope
to trouble neither you nor them again on the
subject -
AN EASTERN REPUBLICAN.
Tue LAST VEro.-ln the course of yester
days sitting in the SENATE it became the con-
shiuuonal duty of that body to reconsider the