Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-03-25
To mn Friends and Fello,o- Cit;.sn,


A Convention of Delegates from ibe above
Counties has selected me as their Candidate
for the sufIrages fthe Wing party to represcn,
them in the next Congress Of the U. States
In yielding an acquiescence TO this expression
of the w sh Of the District, | an not blind to
the considerations or feelings that may have
prompted the action Of that Convention and
while fully appreciate this manifestation Of
the confidence and regard osmy felow-citizens,
am induced TO believe that il has resulted
more from the generosity Of friends in approval
of the principles BY which my conduct has
heretofore been governed, rather than 10 any
estimate which may have been placed upon
my capacity to carry them into practice. /
have ever made il = rule in my intercourse,
both public and private, to give expression 10
nv sentiments with candour and frankness,
and in thi, canvass shall fully and freely give
my views upon all matters Of general policy
without reserve.
am Sensibly alive TO all the difficulties be-
fore me, and would most willingly have seen
this high position filled by an older and more
experienced leader but being placed in the
front ranks, no matter how great may be the
odds against me, | shall never fail TO unfurl
the banner of Wing principles, and fcarlessly
assert their claims upon all proper occasions
cannot but feel upon your account deep
anxiety for the result of this canvass, but shall
greatly rely upon your support and patriotism
TO aid me in the discharge Of the duties mps
sed upon me.
claim to be sound and true Wing. deep
ly imbued with the importance Of Wing prp-
ciples and policy. have long since entertain
ed the conviction that they are the only conser-
vatve measures of our Governmen,--the only
safeguard OF eur National Libcriies--the SUI
rest guaranty TO Constitutional Law-the only
check 10 Executive Usurpation and the En-.
croachments Of Power-and, finally, as essen
tial 10 the preservation of Human Liberty and
Free Government.
The foundation Of these principles, upon
which we have reared our party, was laid by
the mighty men of ages now remotely the
HAMPpENs, the SIpsEYs and VANEs, by the
Republicans, the Puritans, the Wings Of 1910,
who first secured the responsibility of Kings
who brought tyrant to the block for his
usurpation fpower, and who in the end. even
in England erected commonwealth. Then
and there arose the Wing party--that party,
which then, as now, always the advocates
of Constitutional representative government,
watchful and jealous of Executive power; Of
that race, even the founders of our own Vir-
ginia, here they established governments OF
which Europe was not worthy. and from that
sprung the great tree Of our National liberty.
My friends and fellow c,izens, all these
cherished principles are endangered grea,
measures Of our prosperity have been broken
up, new issues have been forced upon us by
the action ofthe present Administration, which,
abandoning the conservative policy Of its
predecessors, has brought upon the country
woes, the consequences of which no human
sagacity can foresee. Rejecting men in the
rank. Of our political opponents are beginning
TO pause in their support Of an Administration,
the career Of which has been so signally mar
ked by an utter recklcssness, both in regard TO
our foreign and domestic affairs. In no period
of our national existence have we had so great
cause Of alarm at no period has public opn-
ion been less respected, end at no period has
there ever been so wanton and INSCRIPTIONS
an exercise of the Veto, in asserting the prerog-
alive Of the one man power; but amongst all
the questions resulting from the revolutions of
the times, none stand out so prominent as the
question of national identity--nhat shah the
nation be, and rhsre shall the nation be. The
lus, for dominion, which seems 10 have pos
sessed the Executive, stops not at the barriers
Of the Constitution. War is brought upon the
country by marching our armies into territory
held BY foreign power, men and money are
demanded, and if the representatives OF the
people stop to enquire into the justice OF their
demaad, the hired menials of a proslituted
press cry out Treason, and denounce all who
may have independence enough to csnsure the
acts of an imperlous Chief Magistrate as CIV
ing aid and comfort TO tho enemy.
When the present Administration came in
to power. the country was at peace with all
the world. The great interests Of the nation
were eminently prosperous. We had a Tariff
based upon the American principle Of sustain
ing American abor--ihat gave full and ample
remuneration TO ala fair days wages for q
fair days work---that gave full encouragement
TO the enterprises Of trads--that redeemed a
worthless currency-pais of national debt
--.nhanted the value offeal eSate--that i'm