Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-04-29
sPErcH OF MIR. FAULKNER,

the Ba1s Of Represenfdfson, March 2dth ana
9Th, 1851.
Mr.. FAULKNER. With the indications
Of impotence 30 visible around Us in this
hall, am sure no gentleman could be 10.
duced 10 engage 10 the further discussion
Of this question, unless il were under
strong sense Of public duty. claim 10 be
impelled by that consideration alone
This debate has been in progress for more
than one month. The whole field Of ar.
gument and statistics, in all the general
aspects Of the subject, has been ably and
profoundly explored--the rich harvest Of
thought has been garnered up in your
printed repository OF debates, and is being
scattered far and wide before the people
Of this State, and not a sheaf-indeed
since the address Of my friend from Nor
folk county, (Mr. WATTS who preceded
sne--I may say, not focer has been left
to reward the toll Of the humble cleaner
who is TO follow. The subject has lost
snuch Of its freshness and novelty. had
almost said il had lost some Of lis interest,
but trust that the interest which should
always attach to the principles involved in
this debate, will survive even the occa-
alon which has convened US together.
Having been prevented BY both absence
and indisposition from taking an earlier
part in this discussion, could not have
consented TO do so at this late period, but
for The propriety, might say the necessi-
~, which deyolves upon me, 10 respond
10 some Of those illusions which have been
80 repeatedly made TO the course Of that
II Y h. -, II -
represent upon this floor. The inquiry
has been repeatedly pressed, why sittbat
we, who possess in so large degree The
same interests which exist in eastern Vir-
GINA, should nevertheless array ourselves
10 opposition to that plan Of representation
which, upon mature consideration, the
cas-, has deemed so essential to the pro-
teciion Of those interests with which we
are identified? I have had 10 answer this
same question, already, at the bar Of an
enlightened constituency. ] propose to
answer i, here. take pleasure in assign
ing the grounds of my opinion 10 the pre-
sence Of large body of eastern statesmen,
distinguished for their acuteness learning,
and ability. so that if there be any IN
soundness in the views which have IA.
ken Of this subject, their fallacy may be
exposed, and nv constituents may thus
be furnished with the opportunity of re-
versing that verdict. which, with so much
unanmity they rendered upon this same
issue in the mont, of August last.
My colleague (Mr. LUcAs) who prece-
ded me in this debate, has exhibited in
appropriate terms those general considera.
81. ,,ta
people such as We represent, even at some
sacrifice Of their interest 10 prefer gov
eminent founded upon the public will to
ouc ssag5,.s with the evils aud discomfort.
which, in country like this. must always
attend political organism Of an opposite
character I, will be my duty, upon this
occasion TO proceed one step further and
TO show that the Interests of our common
constituency are in pettect harmony with
the principles which he has so eloqnently
sustained, aud that nothing short OF an un-
pardonable ignorance of, or ireachery 10,
those interests, could prompt me to place
them under the guardianship Of that
scheme, which is presented by the east for
our adoption.
The distinguished gentleman from Hal
flax, (Mr EDMuYDs } on the day before
yesterday, announced tba, he had now
given up all hope Of the Valley. If that
gentleman at any time ever entertained
the idea that any portion Of the Valley
could be brought 10 the support of the
scheme Of representation which he has
advocated and which comes before US re.
commended by no principle which we can
approve, and by no safeguards TO our in
teres,s which We can value, ha must have
been wholly indebted to bis own imagina
lion for the grounds of such an opinion
IF he meant 10 intimate by the annuncia.
ton that that great conservative region of
the State would, in this Convention. pur.
sue any other course than one which will
cherish and protect all the great material
interests of this Commonwealth, he has
veto comprehend some of the most strik
ing objections which exist 10 the scheme
recon- ended BY himself and his friends.
Sir. the district which in part repre-
sent. has no ground of complaint against
the existing constitution, so FAR as IT ac-
cords to US, at this time, our share in the
general representation Of the State. We
have no interest in the pending struggle,
so far as IFS mere allotment of legislative
power is concerned. So equally are all
the elements of wealth and population
combined in that District, that it matters
not what may be the basis Of your repre-
sen,a,ion, whether it be the suffrage, the
white, the mixed, or the federal basis, it
will present the same results as TO u.s.
II this were, then, in its confred sense
simple contes, for political power--if IN
volved no considerations beyond The
amount Of legislative influences which
each district was TO acquire by the asccn.
dency Of one principle over the other, we
might we'll assume the position OF an
armed neutrality and leave the contest
wholly to those sections Of The Slate more
directly interested in its distribution.
But we cannot take this circumscribed
view of the question before us. We are
part and parcel of this great and powerful
Commonwealth. Our fate is indssolubly
connected with her destiny. Whatever of
veal or woe may befall her, will be shared
by Us. And while we have no sectional
sympaihies which can incline US more to
NAN Al \