Year: 1863

ties OF nLJPFshall' Wetzel aud Ma
Fsllouo. Citizzemns!2OD &l2IzL


The delegates from the county of Marion
to the Parkersburg Convention having se.
lected me as a candidate for seat in the
Senate of West Virginia, and not feeling at
liberty to disregard such expression, hold
ing tito be the duty of every good citizen
to quietly submit to the decision of dele
gates chosen to select suitable candidates
for public Offices, therefore accept the
nomination thus rendered; and as the time
for holding the election is so close at
hand as to render canvass of the district
out otthe question, have taken this mode
of addressing you.


Grateful as may be for the honor thus
conferred in selecting me as candidate
for so responsible a position, am not ip
norant ofthe fact that do not possess the
necessary qualifications to discharge with
dignity and honor the important duties OF
the Legislature; but as my every interest is
identified with that of the people, and more
especially with that ofthe laboring classes,
should you see proper to honor me with
your confidence, whatever of ability may
possess will be industriously aud faithfully
used to properly represent you.


Among the many important duties that
will deVolVe on the first Legislature of the
new State, will be to provide by general
laws for the carrying into effect of
the eighth Article of the Constitution. The
provisions of this article being naturally
complex in their character, and the charges
from the old system radical it will require
the exercise of great discretion in order to
have it work harmoniously.


The board of Supervisors, which takes
the place of the county Court, and have tue
management of the internal and fiscal
affairs of the counties, should have their
duties clearly aud specifically Defined
The prescribing and fixing OF the duties of
the constables, justices and recorder, and
providing for their compensation, by fee or
otherwise, although of seeming minor i'm.
portancep will demand careful considera-
tiou.


To provide fora liberal and efficient sys
TEN of free schools, will engage the early
and earnest attention of the Legislature
and much of the good that will result from
its formation will depend upon the manner
in which it is framed. Although we may
not be able to retrieve, we may profit by,
the errors of the past, in providing for the
education ofthe common mind. We may
at least prepare the rising generation for
the proper appreciation of the blessings of
free government, and fit them for their
own enjoyment, and for the society of
good and refined community. In no other
way can we atone for lhe humiliating fact
that so great number of our adult popu.
lation cannot read even that Book (which
is the history of their race and the record
oftheir redemption"


To provide by general laws for the en-
ceuragement and promotion of mechanical,
mining and manufacturing interests will be
another important ddty of'the first Legisls-
ture. While the attention of our citizens
has chiefly been directed to agriculture and
grazing, our rich mineral resources have
been almost entirely neglected. In couu-
try abounding with-coal-mauy of our
hills filled with the richest ores ofiron, aud
our valleys, at certain depths, with abund-
ant stores of salt and oil-and our streams
atfording abundant natural power for man
utacturing purposes, what more is needed
than to awaken enterprise to an apprecia-
ton of the golden promises held out, and
to direct Industrious and active research
to the thorough investigation of the char
acter and uses of the treasure our new State
contains2 Wealth will naturally follow
well directed industry aud enterprise /;
while education, scientific improvement,
and intellectual advancement. under wise
and liberal general laws, will keep pace
with the march of general progress. Our
rich hills and fertile valleys, instead of be-.
ing covered wit primeval forests, will be
converted into production farms; aud in
stead of our citizens seeking homes id the
star West" we may reasonably expect an
addition to our population, wealth andlen-
terprise from other States.


In short it will be the duty of the first
Legislature to put into practical operation
the machinery of the new government so as
to produce the best attainable results With
as little friction as possible.


As the preservation Of the Union is of
paramount Importance, and there being no
local questions to call up divisions, 1 come
before you ignoring old party lines and
issues, willing to act with any party that
has for its object the promotion Of the pub
lie good. am for sustaining the general
government in its efforts to suppress the
rebellion; of vigorous prosecution of the
war of making no terms with traitors un.
I'll they sheath theirswords, lay down their
arms, and return to their allegiance by
submitting to the authority of the best
government that God ever vouchsafed to
man. Then let peace with her halmy
wings overshadow our once happy but
now distracted country.


Your obed't servant,


Jos. s. MORRIS