Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1815-02-02


cad u SOUS practical conclusions. o.
this sub,tc it will be recollected, tina
the immediate influence Of the federal con
sttution upon rs first adoption, aud Tor
twelve succeeding years, upon the pros
perity aud happiness II the nanon, seemed
to count enance belief in the transcetdency
OF It's perfection over all other human ia
stlutions In the catalogue OF biesslngs
which have fallen 10 The lot OF the most
favored nations, none could be enumerated
from whch our country was excluded-A
free constitution, administered by great
aud lncOrruptible statesmen, realized the
fondest hopes OF liberty and independence
The progress OF agriculture was stimulated
by the certainty of value in the harvest
and commerce, after trsyersing every sea,
reformed with the riches Of every CLINE
A revenue. secured by sense of honor,
collected without oppression, and paid
without murInurs, melted away the nation
al oeot; and the chief concern OF the
public creditor arose from its too rapid
dia.inuiion. The wars and connections Of
thu European nations, and the Interrupt
tons OF their commercial intercourses at
forded TO those VINO had not promoted, but
who would rejoice to alleviate their GALA
mltles. fair and golden opportunity, by
Combining themselves 10 lay broad foun
datlon for national wealth. Although oc
casional vexations to commerce, arose from
the furious collisions of the powers at war,
yet the great and good men OF that time
conforDed TO the force OF circumstances
which they could not controul, and .preserv-
ed their country securely from the temp
ests which overwhelmed the old world,
AMI threw the wreck Of their fortunes
on these shores Respect abroad, pros.
pc 7 IL home, wise laws made by honor
sea legislators. anu prompt obedience yield
ed by a contented people, had silenced the
enemies of republican institutions. The
arts flourishe J--the sciences were cultlvat
ed--the comforts and c9nvenIenceS of life
we 9 universally diifused-and nothing re
msined for succeeding administrations,
BIZ TO reap the advantages, and cherish
the resources lowing from the policy of
their predecessors.
But no sooner vas new administration
es abolished in the hands of the party OPP.
posed to the Washington policy, than fix
CT determination was perceived and avow
al OF changing system which had already
produced these substantial fruits. The
consequences of this change, for few
years after its commencement, were not
sufficient to coonteract the prodigious i'm
pulse towards prosperity, which had been
given to the nation But steady perseVer-
ance in the new plans of administration, at
length developed their weakness and de-
formity, but not until ma ority of the
people had been deceived by ilattery, and
inilamed by passion into blindness to their
defects Under the whitening influence Of
this new system, the declensicn of the M
ton has been uniform and rapid The
richest advantages for securing the great
objects OF tne constitution have been
wanionly rejected While Europe reposes
from the commissions that nal shaken down
her ancient Institutions she behold4 with
amazemen5 this remote COUNTRY, once So
happy and SO envied involved in ruinous
war, and excluded from Intercourse with
the rest of the world
To Investigate aud explain the means
whereby this faial reverse has been effect
ed, would require voluminous discussion
Nothing more can be attempted in this
report than general allusion to the prin
e.pal outlines Of the policy which has pro-
duced this vicssitude. Among these may
De enumerated.
Ftrst--A deliberate and extensive sys
tenn for effecting combination among GER
taia states, by exciting local jealouses and
ambition, SO az to secure 10 popular lead
ers in one section of the union, the controul |
OF public affairs in perpetual succession
To winch primary object most other char !
acteristics OF the system may be reconcii |
ed
Secondly THE political intolerance dis !
pl- yed and avowed. in excluding from
oiiiee men of unexceptionable merit, for
want of adherence to the executive creed
Iairdfy-The incraction of the judi
eiary authority and rights, by depriving
judges of their Offices in violation OF the |
constitution
FOurthtu-The abolition of existing
taxes, requisite to prepare the country for
oh To oh Lao,