Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-11-17
For the Register.


Nh. EDITOR lhave never troubled you
with an article from my pen, and now
feel distrust in myself to produce any
place in your columns; but trust my sub
ject and good intentions may save me-
from the censure or criticisms of gener-
Gus public. .,-.sgT
Ihave for years, Mr.. Editor, had seri-
Gus misgivings as to the policy pursued by
the people of our State, more than any
other, in selecting their Legislators and
l must confess that have hitherto parta-
ken largely of the observation-disclosures
under the conrietion til, recently. that none
other than lawyers could be our law-ma-
kers. But an examination and due con-
sideration of the matter, have led me to
quite different conclusion. In my hum
BILE opinion, there is just about as much
wisdom in choosing members OF the legal
profession as our law makers, as there
would be in placing at the head of the Ma
| tional Government an exclusively military
man,-(which idea has been so recently,
so signally, and hope finally repudiated
by the intelligence of the American PEG.
pie ;)-or, in placing at the head of an ar
my in the field, man exclusively civilian
in his qualities and qualifications
believe, sir, that Virginia has been,
and is now cursed to greater degree with
this species of law makers, than any other
State in the Union, and is any man pre-
pared to point out the solid advantages
resulting therefrom ? What have we ?
A heterogeneous, incongrous, inconsistent,
inexplicable mass of mutilation and mys-
Itihcation-a batch of bubbles and techni-
calities, which they have been paid four
dollars per day to compound-to explain
which, they say very explicitly they mast
have from tDo and d-half to Siaeen dollars
and Si2ty-si.r and t,oo-tLird cents, whenever
occasion requires.
Now, with this view of the matter, are
we acting the part of wisdom to continue
this ruinous practice? Cannot our inier-
es:s as a people be better cared for by
change in the selecting our Representa-.
tives? We too frequently look TO honor
ing an individual, rather than caring for,
or guarding our interestS-we make oar
choice in these matters too frequently in
accordance with personal considcr&ti ans.
This is radically wrong, and we shvald
look to = correction. But says one, where
shall we begin? Why, the course to pur
sue, suggests itself at once. Let us send
different class of men TO Richmond
In the name OF common sense, if we are
to act upon the impolitic principle that
one interest or profession is to be prefer
red, protected or loStercd above another,
let us not be SO extremely illiberal as to
discriminate in favor of the few, to the
detrlment of the masses. The princi-
pies and policy by which we profess to be
actuated as free people, are diametrical-
| ly opposed to such consummation. Let
us, rather, inculcate, and indeed promul-
gate the principle, that the greatest good
should always accrue to the greatest pos
sible number.
1t is nonsense for us to say that we
have not the corrective in our own hands
the remedy will be found speedy, sim
pie and salutary. Let US send to the lie
! gislature in future, Farmers and Meehan-
lcs-men who have an interest in common
with us-whO, when they legislate for
themselves legislate for us all
! Without subjecting myself to the charge
OF vanity, may venture to say that we
have gentlemen of the first order of talent
among us, who are not hungry aspirants
to office, and who will not thrust them
selves upon the people. But the time has
come when we should solicit our best
men among us to become our Representa-
uves. And in connection with this sug-
suggestion, l would name gentleman,
who, should he consent TO become a can
dldate, is in every way qualified to repre-
sent US; that man is Captain JOHN DIL-
WORTH, hard working, manifested Far
mer, and a good and true. sound and re.
liable Democrat. Myself and friends
have named Capt. Dilworth as tho Farm
er to be brought before the people, now
let some friend among the Mechanics
name mana good Democrat, and we
will stand by them, and elect them, too,
next Spring. A FARMER.
| A WHOLESOME PRoyIsToS- fhe