Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1848-09-14

most threatening established 10 the legitimate Tghts
of the people and the future administration OF the gov
eminent refer 10 this assumed right on the part OF
Political Convention not only 10 designate the candi
date for the highest office 10 The republic but also 70
lay down principles, never perhaps discussed Dy me
public or understood by the people, which are howey-
er 10 be considered BY the nominee Of that convention
as the undertaking pracpies BY which his admins
ratlon is TO be governed lei them lead TO what uneon
sdered evils they may Now lei Us consider how these
National conventions must necessarily be compo-
ed meeting OF the party called in some district
elect delegates 10 the convention The appointment is
frs. offered TO MIR. A. 10 whom perhaps the people
would have great confidence; but ne declines because,
ItwIllbe al thine ghly nconvenenior him TO leave
his business and their second choice MIR B. cannot
well sustain The expense of travelling hundreds of
miles AT his own expense and 10 The utter neglect OF
his affairs, until al length proposes MI
Il who is an office holder and has go on Wash
ing,on about that time settle his accounts,
other business, or Mr. Y. who is merchant and may
fiud it convenient TO be the board about that
time, but in the political wisdom sagaclty OF whom
no one has line slightest confidence, and who
would not perhaps be chosen by the people 10 The
humblest Office within tier gift. Ii is true they may
be very competent determine, whether their disrcr
wonld prefer Mr.. Cass 10 Mr.. Woodbury. Mr.. Buct-
anan TO Walker, and this IS the great object q might
say the soe) for which they appointed Did their &C
on and their mission end here, NJ one could object
and National Convention you'd be decidedly most
useful agent Tor ce..ecting and fixing public sen
tmeni, on Candidate for the presidency. But this
oody, mrs selected without the best reference 10 po
h.ca wisdom, 10 their influence, The peoples
ndence IN them, unknown entirely TO the constitution,
responsible 10 no one, ceasng TO exist the moment they
separate with degree Of grasping ambition almost
unknown in history, not content with discharging the
single but important duty with which they have been
charged BY aportlon OF the people, presume TO prolong
their political existence. by extending It's controlling
influence over the succeeding four years government
ofthe country, by proceeding lay down platform,
upon which and which alone, their nominee is TO
walk, and from which If any member Of Congress, or
member Of the party should dare 10 tread, he de
nounced as traitor and deserter, although he may
speak the real sentiments OF his constituents. Now
my fellow citizens you in favor ofconstitulionalib
ery! Let ash tnen 10 whom the constitution has
entrusted. the legislation, and the direction Of the pol
icy OF the country2 Is it 10 such body as we have
been considering, OF 10 our representative, IN Con
gess elected BY yourselves with view 10 their fitness
for the duty and responsible you for the wise per-
formanoe of that duty? Are you willing to have this
controlling power which the constitution has placed
in your hands, wresied from you by such body OF
men, with fear sometimes as little wisdom 10 direct,
as responsibility TO restrain them? AS long as these
principles considered The mere expressions of
the feelings and opinions OF the persons who uttered
them, they were harmless, and entitled 10 much re-
spect and consideration as the embodied sentiments OF
highly respectable individuals. But high authority
is recently claimed for them. According to the prin
ciples laid down by Mr. Polk, and ratified in the
crete by Mr. Cass, this platform is TO be The supreme
law which is TO govern the whole administration Of
the nominee. which the mere acceptance OF the nomi
nation pledges him not only 10 adhere TO himself, but
10 use all the power and patronage and party appli-
ances he can command 10 compel others. the rep
resentaves OF the people 10 carry out al all hazards and
at any cost and he isl dishonorabe traitor TO those
who have nominated him, i he dares in any respect to
devate rom IT, Now II is this last principle my
fellow citizens. which consider subversive Of
rights and destructive of wise consideration Of the pol
&c; Of the country under all circumstances il is the
adjustment of this irresponsible power unknown TO
the consu ton, which you called on TO SANCTION
by the election OF Cass. We the first and the le-
gmate fruits Of ii in the Baltimore Convention OF IA.
Alter the departure OF the wlsesi and most consderae
members, an obscure man. offers resolutions not only
FOR the annexation OF Texas, which had been in some
degree considered and understood by the people, but
in favor Of the ndisputable claim Of our gov
eminent to the whole of Oregon and enoining it or
the nominee if elected TO insist on 81 40 as the
boundary, with which alone would be satisfied or
national honor saved. This was question, which
in its very nature could not have been understood at
that time by 20 members in the whole body, which
had been discussed by the people and was scaice
y considered worth discussing in the pres dental
vass yet you must all remember how near MIR. Polk
was involving The country in most disastrous war
with Great Britain upon this very question, whilst the
hes, argument he could urge for obsuna,ely urging
this claim. was that had been adopted as an inds-
puiable principle by the Baltimore convention. You
all recolect the power and patronage and the appca
llOn OF party screws by when the WlseSt oil your repre-
senatives in Congress compelled TO go along
with him IN support Of this claim you remember the
threatening aspect OF our political affairs with Great
Britain and how improbable it seemed at one time to
avert most disastrous and foolish war You all re-
collect the JOY and gladness which pervaded the whole
American people when the hrmness OF a noble hear
ted senator from S. c. opened prospect OF peace, and
the wisdom Of our minister al ST. James afforded an
honorable escape from position which seemed TO
have nothing but disgrace hand or disaster on
the other and the universal pleasure of the nation at
the settlement Of Ibis vexed question. by abandoning
the Baltimore platform, is sufficient evidence that in
laying II down the convention had not consulted the
wishes OF the people. YET this is the body whose man
dates, the principles laid down by Mr. Polk and Gen.
Cass compels them 10 follow in preference all Others
regret that cannot enlarge on the evil consequent
ces which would insure from the establishment OF
their principles. Should an opportunity present ii.
sell during the canvass will endeavor again 10 re.
sumo and pursue this subject. My time must be
drawing 10 close can only say thai.lhe principles
OF The Wing party. are those of popular rights we
will deiend them against a usurpaiions, whether they
come from The one man power, or irresponsible bodies
OF men stealing from the people their legitimate rights
rejoice that the Phllade pha Convention, made no
attempt TO initiate lis BALTIMORE rival by such feon
ous attempts at arbitrary power. Had they attempted
TO lay down any principles. which were calculated
TO have more influence, than as the mere expressions
OF their individual pnons. my voice should not this
day be heard in favor Of their nominee.
TEE roREIGN NEWS.
| The news by the Hibernia is of deep interest.