Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-04-23

nov s tifat thG lnulE1di ttHuir VI oH@tc Gin
even property Of a certain description, nay al
that was valuable in Society, would be hazar
ded by a Convention Ii was then maintain
ed as now that the majority suffered nc prac
tical evil from the government Of the minority
Ii was at this time that the powerful and com
manding genius Of WATKINS LEIGH began Il
shed its fatal and disastrous influence over tbs
rising desiinies Of this Commonwealth. Gift
ed with extraordinary talents for writing ane
speaking ;-eminentiy Ant-DeInocratc IN HI:
views and principles OF government welded
with the pertinacious bigotry and loyalty OF Q
courier o. the days Of Charles LIST, to the vices
and bemishes of the existing government be
planted himself in the pathway ofPopular Re
+ form, with all the indomitable zeal. energy and
courage, which, upon former occasion, dis
tnruised the celebrated Wentworth, Ear
of STAFFORD and with similar return Of In
gratitude from the Power which they each SO
Faithfully and CALAMITY served. Put not your
trust in princesr Out OF these discussions
arose the second meeting at Staunton, called
The Siaiutofi Contention Of July 1925.
| On Monday the 18th or June, 1928, the citl-
Zens Of BERKELEY County convened at their
Court House in Martinsburg for the purpose
OF considering measures which il became
them 10 adopt at that crisis in our State affairs
Genl ELISHA BoYD was called TO the Chan
and Andrew Hunter appointed Secretary
After an eloquent Address from MosEs T.
HUNTER, Esq, and the adoption oiresoiutions
expressive OF their unanimous concurrence III
the objects of the proposed Staunton Conven-
ton, the following named gentlemen Were APP
pointed Delegates on behalf Of the County to
that neeiing-Elisha Boyd, Moses L. Hunter,
Israel Robinson, Philip G.. Pendleton. Jacob
Weaver. Edward Colston, d. II. Conrad,
George Porterfeld, Charles Orrick, John s.
Porerfield and Levi Henshaw.
This second Convention met at Staunton on
the 25th day Of July, 1925. 1t was body
that would have suffered but little disparage-
ment by comparison with any which has ever
assembled in the State. Ii contained upwards
of one hundred delegates ofthe friends of Re-
form. They came from the borders oil the
State from the East to the West; from the
sea to the Ohio Amongst the distinguished
men who We're present at that meeting, were
John Scott of Fauquier, Philip Doddridge
Thomas w. Gilmer, V. W. Southall, Charles
Fenton Mercer, Daniel Shehey, John r
Cooke, John S. Pendieton, William Mccoy
and many others.
The County Of Berkeley upon that occasion
was represented alone by MosEs L. HUNTER
Esq.,--blit in his brilliant genius-ln his match
less wit and eloquence and in his genuine de
yotion to the cause of Popular Liberty-wt
had champion upon whose ability and idei
ity the County could repose in safety.
: Their object was TO increase the numbers
and strengthen the confidence of their friends
and to weaken and reduce the number Of then
Opponents, by publishing to the whole Com
monwealth the grievances ofwhich they com
IL IL thou eoyroht In /.
word they intended to act upon public opinion
and in this they succeeded. Theircoincidence
in opinions and views was remarkable. i
was q matter of astonishment to themselves
They acted openly, they sat publicly, and KEEP
and published journal containing their pro-
ceedings and resolves. BY their resolves they
claimed
|. Reformation Of representation on the
tciite basis.
2. The reduction of members Of the House
of Delegates.
8. The Abolition of the Executive Coun.
; ell.
a. A more responsible Executive.
s. An extension of the right OF suffrage.
The Journal was published in all the Ga
zettes. Ii was communicated TO the General
Assembly and together with the memorial
ofthat meeting and the petitions ofthe People,
became the subject Of the most grave and ami
mated discussion throughout the Common
wealth.
Among the political writers who figured IN
this exciting controversy, there was one, who
greatly surpassed all others by the viaor and
power of his pen, and BY his zeal and devotion
to the cause of Constitute nal Reform. We
allude TO our former distinguished County
man. JoHN II. Cooke, whose able ard I'M
wearied labors for the extension oil Popular
rights in this State, deserve monument are
pe,reti,ts. His numerous tracts and address
ses of that day merit to be cassed with the
writings Of Locke and Sydney, and should be
placed in the hands Of every youthful polltl-
elan Of this State as exhibiting the nobles'
principles of Saxon Liberty clothed in diction
OF the most unquestioned Saxon purify and
yigor.
In the session Of 1856 memorials signed
by more than l2 900 persons were again pre-
sented 10 the Legislature praying for the pas
sage of Bill to take the sense OF the People
upon an amendment Of their State Govern
ment This prayer was refused, notwlthstan-
ding the Legislature minority who voted foi the
Convention Bill represented a white popula.
ton. exceeding by 90,335 the white popula-
ton which was represented by the Legislature
majority.
In the session of 1885,, a further effort
was made by the-friends of Reform to pass the
Convention Bill. twas again rejected in he
House of Delegates by vote of los nays l03
ayes. The Delegates voting for the Bill rep
resenting a majority Of l50,e49 of the white
population of the State, and showing an aces
sion to the popular strength in favor of a
change Of government, since the last year, OF
60,5li persons.
This repeated refusal by the Legislature to
permit the sense Of the People 10 be taken up
on the reform of their own State government,
a refusal persevered in, in opposition 10 the
Overwhelming Popular demand for II. excited
a deep and pervadng sensation throughout the
I Commonwealth, and the year 1927 became
the most memorable in the annals OF this ex-
citing and embttered struggle throughout Vir-
GINA.
Foreign N@wso
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