Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1850-07-02
TO THE VOTERS
OF
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 ola Conven-
ton, and providing for organizing the same."-
You will, therefore, be called upon under the pro.
:visious of that act, on the 22d day of August
:p7oximn, to choose four Representatives to repre-
sent tho District composed of the Counties of
Frederick, Hampshire and Morgan in that Con-
vcntion, which will meetat the Ca itol in the city
, of II Richmond, on the 14th 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
: ccssary and cXpedient.
1t has pleased some of my friends Unsolicited
*uDon nv part) to designate me as a candidate for
5onc of The seats to be filled by your suffrages, and
having determined to submit myseIFto your con-
.:sideration and decision, l deem it a duty which
owe, not only 10 you, but TO myself, frankly,
candidly and freely to place my humble views be-
fore yuu, and to give you mytaikh and the reasons
for .' the faith that is in me-" | am a plain mat
ter of fact man, in the habit OF endeavoring tall
times (whcn occasion requires iD 10 say what |
think, and to think what | say snd therefore l
would scorn to keep my opinions concealed from
the people, or endeavor to secure a seat in that
convention by practising any fraud or deceit up
ION any voter in the district. Nor shall l Put on
t!aDy sickly affectation before you, and endeavor
to make YOU believe that | am Indifferent about
the honor or distinction of a seat in the conven-
/ have consented TO be a candidate and !
frankly tell you that | wish to be elected. Did
I not desire an election l should at once have
!pcremptoriIy declined, aud refused to have sui
|Iercd nv name to have remained before you for
consideration. 1t is my right as a freeman to be
a candidate, it is your right to say whether or
not | shall be one of your representatives.,
Should YOU decide in my favor | shall gratefully
lhank you and endeavor to serve you h"nest'y'
faithfully, diligently and TO the best OF my hum
iIe abiiiiies-6ut should you decide against mel
ALal how TO your decision with cheertulness and
without a murmur, and shall be perfectly content
provided approved and sound Retormers shall
have been chosen from the district. For my own
aart, ] can conscientlousiIy deciate oeloTe OTu'
chat my heart is more deeply interested in the
sompleic and thorough success of the cause OF
e ,f6rm than in any personal advancement OF my
;::wn. All that ! ask is a fair field and an open
I:ghl"-alI that l exact from others is that they
SHALL be thorough Reformers-with their taHH
upon their foreheads. | shall ASK no questions
nbout their whiggery or their democracy-theIr
siews Of the tarih-the sub.treasury-the adjust,
3oent b!ll-the line of 3C0 30N-or the Galphin
flaim. These are questions which have nothing
10 do with the important subject OF a thorough
Reform in the constitution OF our State.
+ | have now explained TO you my position as a
candidate let me ask your further indulgence
Ind a~ttention to my humble views upon the Lead
;nr questions which are likely to occupy the at
Eenrion Of the convention, and which | shall feel
1 nv conscientious duty to support, should II be
Eour pleasure to select me as one OF your repre-
sentatives. 1t will be Impossible LOT me 10 as
russ these questions fully in this address, but l
Ihall take occasion to visit the district during the
Fanyass. and freely and fully discuss all OF them
EeIoTe the people. / have for several years past
Been fully identified with the discussion OF me
sibiect Unconstitutional Reform" and my views
SayJe been fully spread before the public-are in
ne keening Of g the types and ink"-and are
8Nnown to many Of the people,. BY the jam OF
those writings and by the fdith of my whole course
I,pon this question since the first general aqua
ion Of the subject in lS44-'45. | am wiling TO
5aand or fall. AS l am now before you as a can
tidate, G~ndhaVe nothing to conceal rom you, Du,,
In the contrary, wishyou tojudge me lmpartlaly
nv nv views, have no hesitation in removing my
;YcoGuit, and informing you that the articles aP-
nea:iug in the Winchester Virginian" over the
Signature OF IS PHILo," are from my pen. lshai
continue them at intervals till the meeting oil tne
convention. Take them for whatthey are worth
Isldpe ms fairly and impartlally by them, ana tne
doctrines which they maintain.
i hold conscientiously and hrmlyto these views
fst. That in apportioniDg representation In the
Legislature, respect shall be had to the Tree Wits
i population exclusively. maintain this basis &c
de the only acceptable platform oireptesenletion
aud that it is therefore our duty to cling TO II, SC
ESng as there may be a possible chance tosccure
lis incorporation into our organiclaw. How any
che with a proper idea and just conception OF a
representative Republican government can man,
ta#in any other basis of representation, than ina
cf free white population, is a mystery 20 NE.
Indeed frankly confess that ! have no tnaplts.
confidence in any one as a Reformer who rePudI.
afes The tehiie bass, or declaresit to be " a matte
c8 lfule or no concern TO the people. II Is o.
Vital Importance, depend upon tit lies at the
&ery foundation of all sound reform. Wlthouta
fill recognition of this great republican primer,
pse9 no constitution that can be made will stand
tsn years. The curses of alarge majority OF the
fTe4 white population will herald its birth, ans
increase in force and volume till they break 4