The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-01-22
Suecch of Hon. &. J. Faulkner,
Temporary Chairman OF the Con-
VeuiiOD.

IL HlSui oc SApSSb0t VI
some remarks touching this very IN
terestipg occasion which has brought
us together. 1t is an undoubted fact
that this is the first full and perfect
representation OF the people OF west
virginia that has occurred within our
history. do not allude to this in any
spirit OF complaint or reproach upon
the past, but simply 10 call your minds
TO the acknowledged fact that it may
the more impress YOU with the lmpor-
lance and the dignity OF the high duties
which nov devolve upon you. IT has
not yet been niuey years since that people
whom we have the honor to represent
in this assembly acquired the distinct
and separate rights OF distinct and
separate political community. Our eT-
istence as a State is connected with
events Of transcending interest in the
| lie of this nation. Tracing its origin
70 the commissions Of the late civil war,
the close Of that remarkable struggle
rave permaneuce and stability to the
assertion OF our right 10 self-govern-
ment.
! Whatever differences of opinion may
have existed at one time in the minds
OF some men as to the regularity OF our
admission into the sisterhood OF States,
no such question exists now. West
Virginia stands at the present day re-
eognized, without controversy or dispute
at home and beyond her limits, as one
OF the free and equal sovereign mem
hers OF that great con!ederacy Of repub-
lies whose associated power commands
the respect alike of the civilized and
barbaroUs world
Gentlemen, this lofty position which
our State has attained as one Of the
acknowled members of the Federal
Union imposes a high and correspond
inr obligation upon all her citizens to
realize the dignity Of her destiny and TO
,,.el her onward in The march OF ma.
teriaI, moral and pol teal advancement.
Tie competition for pre- ernlnence IN
all the industrial pursuits OF life
throughout this great republic is eager,
earaesl and active. Unless We shape
our policy aud apply our energies to the
same results we shall fail TO perform
that duty which the relation which we
COW bear to the political system OF this
country demands ofus.
In territory and population we are not
amooG the largest OF our sister States.
Neither are We among the smallest.
We are blessed with advantages that
NAV well excite our gratitude and
thanks. Our lot is cast in a temperate
latitude. We enjoy an Invigorating
atmosphere, and our territorial surface
is generally diversified by mountain
and vale. Such OF our lands as are not
adapted for tiilage are suited for pastur,
aye. Oar population is hardy, brave,
en,erprising, incorrupt. We have alum
JaDt water power Our boundless
forests bear upon their virgin bosoms
the accumulated wealth oil centuries,
Nature has beuefcently scattered
throughout our highlands tie most
attractive resorts OF health and pleasure,
Our mineral treasure in quantity and
quality is not surpassed by any area Of
equal extent upon this continent; and
We are so happily situated between the
valleys OF the Ohio and Mississippi and
the Atlantic seaboarI as to com
pel the construction through oul
. territory OF the great highways
of commerce without the i'm
position OF anv burdens upon our peo
, pie. These physical advantages, strIk'
ing as they undoubtedly are, would IN
them-elv2s be fruitless without civil
, government that will give contentmen'
| ID our people and invite population and
carital from abroad TO attain thi:
end, the preparation Of constitut or
suited 10 this State, is the object fol
which YOU have been called together
upon this occasion. To accomplish
this result you have been selected from
the great mass of YOUR fellow citizen:
bv a generous and terminating con
stituencv. No more momentous, nc
more honorable duty could have de
volved upon You. You are not here &c
pass upon any temporary measure O.
public policy, nor upon any ordinary
act of legislative relief. You are here
to lay broad and deep the foundation:
Of the social compact; to place upon ar
imperishable basis the rights OF ar
, entire people; to provide for the con
: tingent and ever recurring wants OF 6
whole community; TO assign to the dit
terent departments Of administrator
the functions aud duties peculiar &c
each, and so TO balance and adjust The
complex machinery of your State Gov
eminent, that its parts shall work ii
/ harmony, and contribute to the welfare
aud happiness of all the people. Now
gentlemen these are labors worthy .
, statesmen.
And, gentlemen, when you shall have
proceeded to make permanent organ
ization of your body by the election OF
upright, competent and energetic
: officers when YOU shall have performed
that task, which has been entrusted t
Won by the people, and which | an
sure You will discharge with fidelity Il
those who have sent you here; when yor
shall have framed an organic law under
: which all, without distinction, shall bt
secured in those fundamental principle;
which OF right belong to the citizens o
all free governments; when every
crevice shall be closed through which
the; subtle spirit OF prescription may
hereafter reach its victim; when you
| have placed the public faith OF the
: State upon the high and lofty basis o.
integrity and honor; when You shall
have distributed the different depart
ments of your government so as to
, secure wise laws and pure aud faith
full administration OF justice; when
your county organizations shall be so
devised as 10 render cheap and easy
, o,S familiar tn the pe6ple the admins