The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-04-03

1
to strike out of the first section the
words "The State of West Virginia is
and shall remain one Of the United
States of America" and to insert in lieu
thereof THE State Of West Virginia
shall constitute one Of the United States
Of America, and gave notice that this
was preparatory to motion to insert
after the first section OF the second Ar
ticle the three following sections:
a. That all men by nature are
equally free and independent, and have
certain inherent rights, OF which when
they enter into state Of society, they
cannot by any compact, deprive or
divest their posterity; namely, the
enjoyment of life and liberty, the
means of acquiring and possessing pro-
perty. and pursuing and obtaining
happiness aud safety.
-. That all power is vested in, and
consequently derived from, the people !;
that magistrates are their trustees and
and servants and at all times amenable
to them.
'"3. That government is or ought to
be instituted for the common benefit,
protection and security OF the people,
nation, or community; OF all the vari-
Gus modes or forms OF government. that
is best, which is capable OF producing
the greatest degree Of happiness and
safety, and is most effectuslly secured
against the danger OF maladminlstra-
ton; and that when any government
shall be found inadequate or contrary to
these purposes. a majority Of the COM
munitv hath An iudubitable, inalienable
and indefeasible right to reform, alter
or abolish it, in such manner as shall
be Judged most conducive to the public
veal
The amendment having been reported
10y the Clerk. Mr. Ward arose and said
Mr.. PRESIDENT: arise under weigh
ty embarrassments. The sands OF the
Convention are running low, and the
patience of its members has already
been heavily taxed. If this was a
mere measure | should say nothing.
Measures are like the grasses OF the
to-day they are, and tomorrow
thew are cast into the oven" A meas
ure may be most appropriate today and
tomorrow quite inexpedient; but prln-
ciples are, or ought TO be, as enduring
as the eternal hills. And again, Mr..
PRECEDENT, | am ardent in my tempera-
ment, and have ever been the fearless
and determined advocate Of what |
deemed to be right, regardless OF the
tact whether the measure wss popular
or unpopular, and of all mere personal
consequences t. myself, often my
friends have feared lest in my zeal |
should lack discretion and involve
them in difficulties. This subject was
once before under consideration, and |
have the means OF knowing that my
friends here were chilled with the APP
prehensioH that | would revive the
once exciting doctrine o. State rights
and State secession, hut I beg to relieve
my friends from all apprehension Of
being involved in party conflict; it Is
part of my nature to speak warmly,
but think cool!y. Ny ardor in debate
is from the earnestness OF conviction.
Mr.. President, when boys, Judge
Ferguson and myself were in the EN-
plovment Of the same business firm.
lie was at that time shoemaker. One
day an old ,ramping journeyman 10y the
name OF Vale called on the boss to
know if he had any occasion. He
was given q seat as Stoga Bootman.
He was solid mass Of rags and
grease, too offensive and disgusting to
be taken into any house, but night
rolled on and Ferguson told Vale he
must leave, a. he was going TO lock up
the shop. The old tramp told him he
was going to sleep in the shop. Sir,
you'd 10 no such thiLg, replied Fer
guson. "WhyY responded Vale.
Because YOU are drunk and will burn
the shop. Burn the shop, the deuce!
said Vale Haven't | been drunk for
forty years and have ever | burned a
shop YETI
NY experience is not quite as long as
old Wales, but the greater part OF
twenty five years OF nv life has been
spent in some kind OF public employ.
meat. In early life | removed to the
county of Logan, where held the little
offices one after another in the county
for eight or ten years. In 1880 | was
elected TO the State Senate by large
majority; in 1851 again elected by a
greatly increased majority: in 1851
elected to the House OF Delegates by a
heavy majority; in 1860 was called to
the bench; in 1851 was in the Senate
by the largest majority of any member
OF that body; | am now here by the
largest majority OF any member in this.
speak not these things by way Of
boast, but to let my friends be assured
that know something Of the popular
heart No man ought to know the
people better. am one Of them, bone
of their bone and sinew Of their sinew.
have lived with them in their hills
slept with them in their cabins; fed
upon the same meat, and butfeted the
same waves, and when they fail 10 de-
teud the public servant, who strives tc
do the right, God save the State
! Originally, they are honest and patri'
otto, and if they become demagogues, II
will be because they are made so by
demagogaes. have served them often
acted independently. rendered a faithful
account of my stewardship, and have
never failed to receive their approval
so l may safely say that although
may have seen the elephant, II never
burnt shop"
And now beg to assure my friend:
that it is no part Of my purpose &c
laupch upon the exciting subjects o.
secession. and State rights, Sir, or
,basa axo;t;no sphiecis | do not allow