Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-01-20
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.


dENTLEMxS--fh ne circumstances under which
you have convened and orgnnized are of no ordi-
nary character. Since the adjournment ofthe lats
General Assembly, many, ard il is confdcntly
hoped, beneficial reforms have taken place in tho
organic law Of the State. We are in the dawn al
c new era. The Convention, which assembled in
the capitol on the 9Th day OF October, 1850. in
pursuance OF laws, enacted by your predecessors,
ito consider, discuss and propose now consiits-
tion or alterations and amendments 10 the existing
constitution Of the commonwealth, terminated It's
ishors The FIRST day Of August last ana the In
rtfumeni which was the work OF its hands was, on
the fourth Thursday Of last October adopted BIZ
the citizens snragans Of the State as the Coxsrt-
TUITION OF VIRGINIA, BY majority amounting al
most TO unanimity. What a sublime spectacle is
here exhibited How strsingly docs il illustrate
the beautiful theory and practice Of representative
republican government, With what urboundod
confidence Il should inspire the friends of sach
government, and with what awe and reverence il
can but impress its enemiesi Dor beloved COM
monwcaltt has Just passed through revolution,
instantaneous and radical in its character, operat-
ing upon and affecting every class and condition
OF socrty, and yet all is peaceful and quiet within
her borders. II was not the achievement of tho
sword pathway is not traced by the blood Of the
citizen, no cessolated kingdom witnessed its tri-
unpb, and no emblem of glory adorns the military
chiefiain. In the Erst days Of our republic il was
ordained as part Of tho basis and foundation Of
government, that when il should be found inads-
qaaic or contraryto the purpose fer which il was
created, "a majority Of tho community hath an M
dubiiable, unasnable and indcieasablc right to re.
form, alter abolish il, in such manner as shall
be Judged most conducive to the public veal -
And in accordance with this wholesome and wiss
provision Of FREQ government, incorporated in the
organic law of our State by the patriotic statesmen
by when IL was founded, and recognized ard ack-
nowledgcd By their descendants, the civilians Of
our own times looked to tho councils of our State
instead Of tho tented field tor the redress Of gre-
vanccs under which they lived. Tho people will
ed change Of government and IL was made; and
ii remains for you, the representatives oftheir
choice, in your legislative capacity 10 perfect end
carry into practical operation this new eysten-
Its merits were deliberately and ably discussed in
the convention which framed it; and more recsnt-
lits several provisions have been thoroughly can
vassed and considered by every section, rsaniy and
ncghbpThood Of the commonwealth. IL Is unne-
cessary therefore, that any culugy should be pass
cd upon such of its Pastures a. may be considered
conducive Of good, or that tie evil tendencies,
whether real or imaginary, OF other provisions
sheuld 10 made at this time tho subject of COM
ment. !, mcy not, However, be Improper 70 cs-
press ie opinion that tae ireas Of reform and of
u truiy representative reput.srsn form vi govern
tlcnt wlil never have CO. To regret the Change.
Tie unaritnity with winch it has been sanctioned
by the people Of the State isweil calculated 10 IN
spire It's friends with an abiding confidence In its
merits and gives assurance that, yolir part In.
diyiasa, preudces, shouid they cr i. viii be for
,,. "a Ia, each will via =, II the o.her !, ,,s
advocacy and adoption Of such laws ss may DO re-
qurcd to give il efficiency in lis operation.
Tie distinguished ability with which the Exocu-
tive department OF the government has been con-
Quoted by the statesmen OF our own and former
times, and the proud position aud mcrted fame Of
our judiciary, exhibit IN forcble light the wig
dom and fidelity with which the duty OF eecting
tbese officers has been discharged by your prede-
cessors for a period of nearly three quarters Of
century. The new constitution relieves YOU Of
this important and weyhy fesronsSoitisyJ and
transfers to The sIragans Of tho State, the right
to elect tie executive and judicial as we'll as the
Legislative officers This new feature in our or
ganic law excited the apprel,ensions Of as to
Its practical operation But with the experience
before us of some of our sister States that have
adopted this principle, and remembering the moral
and intellectual character OF our fellow citizens,
aud tie high sense OF honor which has ever char
acterlzed the Nirginic people, it 10 confidently be-
lcved that with the experience of few years. the
fears OF the most tnd reforIDer will bc dspeilcd,
the preiudices of those mos. welded TO ancient
toms will be removed, and confidence in the wis
dom and integrity of the crest body of the people
will take the place OF dstrnst IN the minds of those
who fear tina, political and other causes may en-
danger the hcaithial exercise OF this power on the
ptitS NV PVSFiS' ny Wa P~~Ni" - 9ataiig N'Ht
identity ofinterest and reciprocity OF feeling which
should always exist between the representative .nd
the constituent, will be maintained; the officer,
holding under the immediate and voluntary euf
frage OF those Who are directly and most deeply in
teresled in faithful discharge OF his duties will
De inspired Wi'n colii1ohcc ~ .s pos'.oh' anu
esiicsshtss "a mo " 'no ,ec'iohs " n''
once ana the people, conscious ~ e'o e'si' ~
sponsipiity with winch uiey arc cioahea' VIA ieo1
ahFeiy iEtelesi N tne susJse'' eou'pe'o op'n,o"s
anu eneit information IRON ose'y source. nnu,
mus, Whilst the exercise ~ WIS poser VIII uu's'
anu enoear more cioscif ,ho e'''-1" 70 MS so'0'H
ment,n VIII chiighten ara elevate ..e hasses upon
whose lntciiectuai, moral ana pohucs. eoucauoA
uepends the siaoiiity OF q representative gofetn-
ment' when we cohsider 'ne many 'hss1.hap ~
advantages when must 'hesi.sp'y 1ceiue W mo
suiragan by extending 70 mn, INC fight 70 eiece 70
ONCE the men OF his own cnoice, y must 20 10 YOU
source OF uniegned graduation that ano'hcf pro
vision OF our new constitution c1'shas 'ne ponen.s
resulting from tue exercise o. 'he iaHoi,so
TO large and Respectable class OF our cifens' WIG
heretofore have boon driven from tho poiis, ana
whose poverty appears TO nave rcen their oniy dui'
That Virginia should nave 80 iohg tetaincu 'hs ca
elusive and snt-democratc feature IN hof Ssase
government, ana that TINS numerous class u cui-
Gems should have acquiesced IN II UP 70 thls une,
is smother striking Illustration o. inc iae', the'
mankind are more disPoseu 20 suhef wu'ie esis are
suffereble, than to right themselves oy aooish'ne
the forms TO which they are accustomed, anu prov
pQuritls n nonUie. though ACQUAINTED wiz