Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1850-07-02
TO THE VOTERS
FREDERICK, HAMPSHIRE AND MORGAN.

FELLOW. CITIZENS: The Governor has inform
ed us that a large majority of the popular vote
has been given in favor of tho act for taking
the sense of the people upon the call Ofa Conven-
ton, aud providing for organizing the same."-
You VIII! therefore, be called upon under the pro.
visions of that act, on the 22d day of August
prOXmo, to choose four Representatives to repro
sent the District composed of the Counties of
Frederick, Hampshire and Morgan in that Con-
vCnlion, which will meetat the Capitol in the city
of Richmond, on the 18th Of October next for the
purpose of taking into consideration the organic
law of our State and making such alterations
and amendments to it as may be found to be ne
cessary and eXpedient.
1t has pleased some of my friends Unsolicited
upon my parD TO designate me as a candidate for
one of the seats to be filled by your surages, and
having determined to submit myselfto your CON
sideralon and decision, | deem it duty which
| owe, not only 10 you, but to myself, frankly,
candidIy and freely to place my humble views be-
fore yo;t, and to give you my Jah and the reasons
for 50 the faith that is in me-" am plain mat.
ter of fact man. in the habit OF cndeavoring at all
times (when occasion requires iD TO say what
think, and TO think what | say snd therefore l
would sCorn to keep my opinions concealed from
the peODle, or endedvor to secure seat IN that
convention by practising any fraud or deceit up
on any voter in the district. Nor shall Put on
any. SICILY affectation before you, and endeavor
to make you believe that | am Indifferent about
the ;hounr or distinction OF seat in the conven-
ton have consented to be candidate, and
frankly tell you that wish to be elected. Did
not desire an election should at once have
peremptorily declined and refused to have sui
lercd my name to have remained before you for
consideration. 1t is my right AS freeman to be
n candidate, it is your right to say whether or
moi / shall be one of your representatives.
Should YOU decide in my favor shall gratefully
thank YOU and endcavor to serve you honestly,
faithfully, diligently and TO the best OF my num-
ole abiIitics-but should you decide against me
shall bow to your decision with cheertulness aud
without a murmur, and shall be perfectly content
provided approved and sound Retormcrs shall
have been chosen from the district. For my own
mart, can conscientiously declare before God,
that my heart is more deeply interested IN the
complete and thorough success OF the cause OF
Reform than in any personal advancement otmy
pwn. Al that ask is '' a fair field and an open
,tiphI'-ull that | exact from others is that they
shall be thorough Reformers-wlth their tHM
uDon their forehcads l shall ask no questions
abont their whiggery or their democracy-thelr
views OF the tariff-the esub-treasury-the adjust
ment bil-the line of 3CO 3O-or the Galphin
claim. These are questions which have nothing
to do with the important subject OF thorough
Reform in the constitution OF our State.
: I have now explained 10 you my position as
candidate let me ask your turlher indulgence
and attention to my humble views upon the lead
ing questions which are likely TO occupy the al,
il nv conscientious duty to support, should 1t be
your pleasure to select me as one OF your repre-
1seniatives. 1t will be impossible for me to dis
cuss these questions fully in this ADDRESS, out
shall take occasion to visit the district during The
canvass. and freely and fully discuss all Oh 'hei
zhefore the people. 1 have for several years past
>been fully identified with the discussion OF the
subject 81 Constitutional Reform" and my views
have been fully spread before the public-are in
she keeping Of q the types and Ink,-and are
known 10 many of the people: BY the jam OF
those writings and by the faith otmy whole course
anon this question since the first general aglta-
zion Of the subject in lS44-'45. ! am willing TO
stand or fall AS am now before you as can
Jidate and have nothing to conceal from you, but,
on the contrary, wish you tojudge me lmPartlaliy
nv nv views, have no hesitation in removing my
5incognio, and informing you that the articles aP'
nes Tinp in the /" Winchester virginia." over the
5siqnatI.a of a." PI11Lo," are from my pen. shall
continue them at intervals till the meeting OF the
convention. Take them for what they are worth,
Judge me fairly and impartially by them, and the
.doctrinen which they maintain.
II hold dconscentiously and firmly to these views !:
1st. That in apportlonng rePresenLal@ton @ ~ tne
egislatare, respect shall be had to the free white
population exclusively. maintain this basis 10
he the orly acceptable platform otrepresentatlon,
nd that 1T is therefore our duty to cling TO it, so
;Ionsr as there may be possible chance 70 secure
its Incorporation into our organic law. How any
one with proper idea ana just conCePllon y! q
representative Republican government can main
AIN smoother basis Of representation, than that
q free ahae population, IS mystery to mes
indeed frankly confess tha, ! have no impliei,
confidence in any one as a Reformer who repndt-
Stes the 5oits basis or declares it to be " a matter
;;flittle IL no concern to the people. It is OF
Xital Importance, depend upon tit lies at the
y:efy foundation of all sound reform Without a
f1Il recognition of this great republican prinei-
ple no constitution that can be made viii stand
Esn vears. The curses Of large majority Of the
Zee I white population will herald its birth. and
;pcTeaseS in force and volume till they break it
down, and call another convention TO give the