Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-04-23
Closing Of the Convention.

Attic conclusion of the labors of our res
cent Constitutional Convention, after'the Com
stitution and Schedule had been severally
signed by the President and Secretary, the
President, Hon. Samuel Price, of Greenbrier,
addressed the Convention as lollows:-
Gentlemen We met here on the 18th day
of January last, and have been in constant
session woSmonths and twenty>three days
This was longer period than some of US am
ticipated. But when We come to to look at
the magnitude and multifarious character of
the work we had to perform, we need not be
surprised.
The Convention of Virginia of 1929, COM
posed of the notables of that day, met on the
9Th day of October, and remained in session
until the 10Th day of January, mpking Pc
riod of three months and ten days. The Con-
vention of 1850 met on the 14th day of Oc-
tober, sat until the the 4th of November, and
adjourned to the 9th of January; then met
and continued in session until the LIST day of
August.
In addition to the magnitude of the work
which we had to perform, we had peculiar
difficulties to encounter at the very threshold
of our labors. We met as straDgers.-
Each one brought with him the peculiar views
of his locality.
The people of our State differ from the
people of all the other States of the Union.
They are separated from each other by tow
ering mountains and rugged streams On eli.
Their side OF these mountains and rivers are
found detached communities, isolated in some
degree in both social and commercial inter-
course, and having in the aggregate no posi-
tive identity of character.
The people of the counties on the banks of
the Ohio river have social and commercial
identity; and so with the people living along
and within the influence of the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad. But running through and
across the State, they have but little inter.
course, and arc strangers to each other. A
Brooke or an Ohio county man rarely or new
er sees any OF those southern counties. Com
ing thus together, with the somewhat discor-
dant views which local influences always. in
some degree, produce, we had to become ac-
fuainted with each other, and harmonic our
discordant views by social intercourse and dis.
cussion. To obtain unity of action, some
time had necessarily to be consumed. But
we did not consume it unnecessarily. We
have not consumed as much time as is ,ordi-
narily consumed in such bodies. I have
been in several conventions and legislative as
semb'ies, and [ never before saw one so labo
rious and orderly. During the whole session.
the united object of all the members was to
accomplish the purposes for which they were
delegated, in as short time as practicable.
and not to consume time for delay or without
a purpose. may say in ali truth, that it has
been a body of order and labor
Cur work will now go before the public for
criticism. approval or rejection. They wiz
no doubt do it justice.
None OF US, apprehend. have gotten all
we wanted. such hope would have been
vain-such thing rarely or never. occurs
But the comparison has to be made, not be-
tween tie new Constitution and such an one
as it might have been, but between this and
the old one. Is not the new one better than
the old think it is decidedly.
will not attempt to recount the improve
ments made. They are numerous aud patent
The public eye will not be slow to detect these
improvements, and it would be ont of place
Tor me here to attempt to enumera,e them
The President then concluded in few
personal remarks, returning thanks for the
honor conferred upon him, and invoking the
blessings of Deity upon each and every mem
Der of the Convention.