Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-08-26
ADDRESS TO THE WINGS OF VIRGINIA.

Felloap Citizens I'm compliance with a
suggestion from many fthe Wings who we're
lately assembled in Richmond, as members
Of the late Reform Convention. and in con-
formity with what seems to be the general
sentiment of the Wing press throughout the
State, the Central Committee recommend that
Convention Of the Wing party should be
held at Staunton, on the 18th day Of Sep
TENDER neat.
Questions Of great moment, both to the
State and the nation, are now before the
country, and must soon be passed upon by
the people A new form of Government is
soon to be submitted to them for their appro-
val or rejection, and if approved, many very
important appointments are to be made soon
thereafter BY the people. In view of these
issues, and with the avowed intent to deter
mine them according to their opinions, and to
obtain for their party the political power OF
the State and the benefit Of all its offices, our
political opponents are organizing vigorously,
and it does not become the Wing party at
such time to be idle aud inactive, il, as We
believe, its principles are sound and wise, and
are therefore dear to it. Without organiza-
ton we cannot select our agents, and without
agents we cannot sustain and enforce our
principles.
The great ends of the Wing party are, tho
Liberty and prosperity of the people. For
the accomplishment of these ends, just and
equal Government the firm maintenance of
the constitutional rights of the States and
the Union; ability and integrity in the pub
lie agents; and proper development of the
resources of the country, are necessary, and
to these the Wing party stands pledged; nay,
it is the offspring Of devotion to them. To
omit. then, such fair and just measures, as
are necessary to make the action OF that par
ty effective, is to renounce our principles, and
surrender the country to our opponents 1t
would be to neglect the only legitimate ends
Of party, viz: the liberty, prosperity, peace
of the country; for however we may concede,
as with pleasure we do, to our political oppo-
nents in Virginia, honesty of purpose and pa
triotism, yet it cannot be disguised, and
should not, that we differ widely from them
on many vital points, and that their political
brethren, or very many Of them, in the North,
the West and the South entertain opinions,
and would enforce maxims, fatal to the peace
and happiness of the country, fatal to the
Union, and therefore inimical to liberty; and
however the Virginia Democrats may differ
from those to whom we have referred, yet as
national party they must act by common
agents, and upon common principles. II,
then, Wings can be found as honest person
ally, and as capable intellectually, as the
Democrats, to ell the various and important
offices which the people will soon be called
upon to fill, it is our duty to the country to
place them in those Offices. That such Wigs
are no man doubts.
We respectfully recommend to you, then,
to appoint delegates without delay to Con-
vention to be holden in Staunton on the 25th
of September next. Select only such az will
attend, but let them be of your wisest and
most discreet, as well as most jealous men,
by order of the Contrd Committee of the
Wing party.
JAMES LYONS Chairman