Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-02-04
THE CALL OF A CONVENTION.

Il will be seen BY reference 10 our Rich.
nond correspondence that another movement
has been made by Col. McPHERsoS, of Page
County, 10 get the action OF the House OF
Delegates upon his proposition TO submit the
question Of CosrEsTIos or No CosvESrIor
10 the decision Of the people a, the Polls at
the approaching Spring Election. The House
refused to take up his proposition by a vote Of
Ayes SIS. Noes Sc; but this vote is not deci-
siye OF their action, as we observe the names
OF some OF the leading advocates OF Reform in
the negative. The subject, we take it fer
granted, is merely laid aside, for the present.
until the leading Internal improvement, dis
cussons are gotten through with. We also
observe that MIR. SHErrEY. one OF the dele
gates from Augusta. gives notice that he means
10 introduce the basis issue when the subject IS
brought up for discussion. He was elected TO
the House last Spring upon the WLite basis
issue, and we Should be pleased to see HIM
succeed-but we fear the resu., a, this late
period Of the Session.
Ii is every where urged b. the .fnti- Con-
p.niioaists that the majority Of the voters of the
State are opposed 10 the call Of Convention,
but we believe no such thing on the contrary.
we feel confident that large majority Of them
are in favor OF a Convention. and will so ex
press themselves at the polls, ifthe Leg slaiure
will only afford them an opportunity by the
adoption oil Col. MePHERsos's proposition.--
IF Anti Conven;ionists have faith in their
cause, let them no, fear to trust it before the
tribunal Of the people.
The question Of CoSvEyrros or No Coz
vISrIos is SO plain proposition ''that he
who runs may read" and understand. Then
let II come before the people, and if they de-
eide against it, the Reform party OF Virginia
will submit without murmur, but not other
wise. No, thank God, we believe the people
OF Virginia are too much awakened up IN the
cause and true principles Of popular liberty,
much longer 10 submit IN silence and obedi-
ence to constitution whose leading principles
are An,i-Repubcan. and onerous aud oppres
sive upon the prosperity ,ircgress and advance
ment of the State. They will not much lon
ger tolerate laws which degrade The masses,
and doom them "to be hewers Of wood and
drawers Of water" 10 as unfair and unjust
dominion as was ever exercised over the rights
ofman by the despo,i.ms Of Europe. Can the
Legislature Of Virginia look the fact in the
face, that our beloved Old Commonwealth,
when called upon by the National Government
for One Regiment o. Men 10 serve in tine war
against foreign foe. had the creates, difficulty
to RISE her comp enent; nay. in time TO be
ready, and TO meet any emergency in affairs,
was obliged to seek for aid from other STATES !
THIS is the truth and it cannot be concealed or
covered over. Why was this2 That is the
question. aud truth answers that Virginia has
Constitution which spurns from the polls,
the class Of men who are the first always 10
fly to the Standard OF the country in time OF
war. During the formation of the Company
Of Volunteers recently raised in this place, and
now in the service OF the United States under
command Of Capt. ALnuar.s, we conversed
with several worthy and genteel young men
who had an idea OF volunteering, but declin-
ed doing so, because they had no relish for
going ou, into SO perilous and uninvitins a
service 10 serve through the war, and then on
their return home be driven from the polls and
not allowed voice in the choice OF those who
who wers "to rule over them" and in whose
hands are placed the power Of making war.
SC. SC. This is pregnant fact, and however
il may sui the paates Of the advocates of Ar.
isIocIacy and Anti Republicanism in Virginia.
il is nevertheless the truth. Our friends Of
the Richmond Press. one and all, Wing and
Democratic. were neitled and fretted at ter
rbe rate during the formation Of the Virginia
Regiment. because Of the taunts and jecrs
which Virginia received from other States
from whom she was borrowing men for "te
Yirgalia Regiment"!!l We were highly
amused al the contoruons exhibited by them.
and we felt rejoiced 10 see some OF them under
"lhe spurs"--for they are for perpetua,ing the
systems which now degrade the people, The
masses must be clevated-they must share
and participate in Government. and the soon.
er the Legislature take their cause in hand the
better.
lie, Col. MoPBERsoS's proposition be adop
ted, and if not. let the people take it up anew
and urge il with redoubled earnesiness.-
Adopt the song put into our mouths by de
signing Conven,ioniss--"wait' I'LL ate
the next Ceusus"-'ill lS50-and the cause
is doomed for ten years at least, perhaps forev
or. Not is idle to talk of posiponement--
urge it on without firing.
We are glad to see the votes Of our two del
egates, Messrs, BoAg and SNAIL, so true. anC
30 much in accordance with the wishes of
large majority Of their constituents. The Re
formers Of the County will honor them 70
their sieadfastness TO the Cause of the people
We have conversed with several Reformer
lately, belonging both to our own party an
10 the Democratic party. and we find them ye
ue and ardent in the cause. 10 man, the
are opposed to postponemenL They are RICH
--'fhey cause is just''--it ''must snd will pre-
vail" A rejection of all propositions by til
Legislature. looking to Reform Of our Stat
Constitution, we hope will be the signal for