Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1810-07-27
EXTRACT
FROM FAST SERMON,
AT BOSTON, ON H
STU APRIL.
EXTRACT

~ AHON
up the danger of our country in all its mag
nitude, only that | may in my humble mea-
sure excite that spirit, which is necessary,
and which by the blessing Of Providence
may be eGcctual to avert it. Alarming as
our condition is, there does appear to me to
be one method IF safety, and only one
Dis a pesple TOE must be brought to see aud
70 feel onr Danger; zoe mast Be excited 10 a
pusic spirit, an energy, a magndnimity
praportioued to the soiemaify of The times,
IN 1vtich se are called 10 act.-u may be
permitted, | would say 10 the upright, the
disinterested, the enlightened friends of
their country, that the times demand new
and peculiar exer.ions. In the present state
of the world, there is, under God, but one
hope Ct a people; and that is, their own
exalted virtue. This therefore should be
your obiec, and labuur, to AK the UNDER
standings of the people on the calamities
that are approaching them /; to cnllgh,en the
public mind 10 improve our moral feel-
lngs to breath arouud you an elevated spirit
to fortiiy as many hearts as possible with
the generous purpose to do all, which
men can do, for the preservation of their
country You should l%aoour, not to excite
q SHtPoi1 otoAySht " AN d0'6~t
not to be repealed by a few impassioned eff
forts. We want a calm and solemn impassion
fixed in every mind, that We have every
thing at stake--that great sacrifices are 10
be expected, but that the evils are so ire.
mendous as TO Justify and require every
sacrifice. We want to have a general inn
preston made Of the character, spirit, dee
signs, power, and acts of France ;--of the
unparalleled Indebtedness, the political,
moral. and religious dcbasemeut, attendant
on union with her, or on subjertion to her
power, To effect this end | have said.
that new exertions should be made. The
common vehicles of political information
have done. and may do much bur cannot
do all, which is required. Authentic pub
LEGATIONS in the names OF our w~isest, purest,
most venerated citizens should be spread
abroad, containing the plain, une xaggeratcd.
u%ncoloured history of the revolution and
domination of France.
1t may be said, that the people have all
the evidence on this subject already com-
munieated 70 them Il fear, that many
have not received sufficiently distinct and
connected Information from sources, on
which they rely /; and | am confident, that
many, who know the truth need TO nave
the convictions Of their understandings
converted into active principles, into COM
~victions Of the heart. / fear, there are
many, who are blinded to the true charac-
ter Of the conqucror of Europe, by the
splendour of his victories many, who at
tach to him the noble qualities, which have
been displayed by other heroes, who re-
pose a secret hope in his 5cIemency. They
ought to know, and they might know,
that he has risen to power in revolution,
| which has had a peculiar influence in har-
dening the heart that his character is unil-
lumined by one ray of benehcence ; thar
he is dark, vindlctive, unrelenting that
no man loves him, that he cares tor no
mans love that he asks only TO DC feared,
and that fear and horror are the oniysenti-
ments he ought to inspire.
fear there are many, who attach IDEAS
of happiness and glory to France, because
they hear of the conquest Of French armies;
and I fear that this impression feconciles
them to the thought of union with her.
They might know, and they ought 70 know,
that France is drinking even TO the dregs
that cup oTsorrozO, 1oaich she has mingled
fer other nations. They should be taught,
that she is mos. degraded in her moral and
religious condition, and wretchedly im-
poverished that her agriculture, her manus
features, her commercial cities are falling
to decay /; that she is ground with opprcs-
sive taxes, most oppressiveiy collected
that her youth are torn from their families,
TO I'LL up the constant ravages, which war
and disease arc making in her armies that
with all her sufferings she Is NOT permitted
the poor privilege of complaining that
her cities. VILLAGES. and honsss Are fhrnne.