Star of the Kanawha Valley. [volume] (Buffalo, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1856, 1855-05-16
To lie Editors of tie Star:

To ne EdaorS OF the Star:
GExTLEMES:-It is generally known
tho ghout Virginit. that whsn q call for
u Convention was made to amend the Con.
stitution Of the STATE, HENaY A. WISE,
the present candidate of the Democratic
party for the Chief Magistracy of this
Commonwealth, with that fearless indie
pendence which has ever characterized
the man, announced himself as a white
basis candidate TO represent the people Of
Accomac District in said Convention
This he done, when he was well aware,
that very decided majority of the peo-
pie Of his District were in favor of the
black or Federal basis Of representation.
He, nevertheless, took the stump, and de-
Tended the principles of the white basis,
was elected to the Convention by tri-
rumphant majority. 1t is equally well
known, that to his e1srtions, we are in
debted for the adoption, by the Conven-
ton, of the white basis principle of ap-
portioning representatives in the State.
Whilst the people Of the East, among
whom T. s. Flournoy, the Know Nothing
candidate for governor, contended through
their representation, for the adoption OF
the black or Federal basis, which simply
means that five negroes shall count equal
10 three white men in approtioning repre-
senla.iyes. Henry A. Wise stood by the
West and foughther battles against odious
and anti.republican principle, contending
that negroes were mere property, owned
principally in the East, and no more en-
Tiled TO representation than the horses or
cattle Of the people Of the West. For
this noble stand in. defence Of Western
rights, lie has, no doubt, lost the votes OF
many black basis men Of the East. Should
this not give him additional strength in
the West? Ought we not TO think Of this
and decide for which, as Western Virgin
inns, we ought to cast our votes, on the
fourth Thursday Of the present month
Henry A. Wise, the man that contended
for, and secured the principle that every
white citizen, rich or poor, East or West,
should stand upon an equality in appor,
tioning representatives, or for Thomas 3
FIournoy, the advocate Of the black basis
"a principle Of apportionment, which, il
| il had been adopted, would have given u
the negroes Of Eastern Virginia. three.
frths the weight possessed BY an equaa
number Of the white freemen Of the noun
tains Of the West; or, in other words
! the rich man with FIVE hundred negroes
would secured TO his county, the same
weight of representation as would have
been allowed to three hundred men. des
titute Of this species Of property. Henry
! A. Wise has shown himself tie firm friend
Of equal rights and justice to all. rich and
poor, East and West-a friend Of some
uniform system Of EDUcArroS being adop
ted by tile State, where all the children
Of the Commonwealth may received prim
AIRY education--the advocate Of those pub
/ lie works, 50 essential to the prosperity o
the STATE, and which are To- develop tn
resources Of the West Henry A.Ws
i Is the man for the times, and viii recelv'
the support Of the true friends OF equa
rights, Of education and internal improve
ment throughout the State. Are You tn
/ friends 81 these great principles Of Stat
I,nol;cy? If 80. then 60 70 the polls an.
,.ast your votes for him, the fearless trl
buus II the people" and the able advo
/ cate OF these measures. 80.
i i WHITE BASIS.