Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-03-11

many HFInS ODJcSes Va ehcH eA~S'ShAeS
remembrance, are, yet awhile, on this
side Of the mountains. But time is gra-
dually weakening those ties OF nature,
and, when few generations more shall
have passed away, the bond OF fhiia-
ton hich now unites them to US VIII
be entirely dissolved. With thes i'm
pressiye facts before us, we should be
unworthy of the high trust conhded to
us, if we did not endeavor, by provl-
dent forecast, to substitute new prlncl-
pies of attachment for those which must
so soon cease to operate.
Let US, then, provide for the substan-
tial ties of commercial interest 1t IS
my deliberate opinion, that if the entire
commercial supplies of the Western
states should be permanently derived
through the port of New Orleans, and
no commercial intercourse should SUBJ
sist between them and the Atlantic
states, it would be impossible for all the
power of parchment and political or
ganzation to hold this union together
for half a century longer. In this
view ofthe subject, l have often re-
flected that the difficulties incident to
the navigation Of the Gull Of Mexico,
and of the river Mississippi, were kind
ly intended by Providence to promote
our union and greatness. ] rejoice
that those difficulties do exist, and, |
trust, we shall be wise enough to i'm
prove them to our advantage. Let US,
then, cut down and level the noun
tains, not like the Persian tyrant to
subjugate nations, but in order TO "a
chieve more glorious conquest-the
subjuga ton of our own mutual preju-
dices.-Sir, in whatever light we view
these improvements, whether in refer
ence to the diffusion of intelligence
. the increase ofthe defensive powero,
the country, or the perpetuation Of the
union, they are as essentia,to our exis-
tence and prosperity as nation, as the
veins which gaee circulation to the
drinciple of animal life are to the
health and vigor of the animal system.
There is another view of this subject
to which shall merely call the attain
ton Of the committee, having neither
time nor strength for it's development.
An attentive examination Of the phi
losophy OF national character and ma
tional greatness, will lead us to the con-
clusion that the common efforts and
common sacrifices of the whole, people,
made with view to some great nation
al object are absolutely indispensable
to the existence of these attributes
Hence, the influence of war in calling
into action sentiments of patriotism and
and the tendency of peace
to cause these lofty principles of ac-
lion TO degenerate into selfshness and
a want of public spirit. Sir, what
whould this nation be without those
military achievements, which are SO
many monuments of our common ex-
ertions? Strike from the record of his
tory the heroic deeds of our ancestors,
and the more recent events which H.
lustrate the valor and patriotism of the
present generation, and the people of
these United States would be reduced
to mere multitude Of human beings
by no common principle, and
united by no common sympathies, de-
stitute to those moral characteristics
and sentiments, without which all the
physical elements of power and great
ness ca mot constitute a nation. But,
sir, trust that military achievements
are not the only means of giving US ma
tional character, and national senti-
ments. Let us substitute moral for
military glory; the achievements ofna-
tional industry, directed BY an enligh-
tened policy to the great improvements
contemplated by this bill, for achieve
ments involving much more painful
sacrifices, and productive ofless dura-
BILE benefits to the country. Let us
create, by our common toll and COM
mon treasure, some great monuments
of the enterprise of the nation, which
the people of this Union will contem-
plate with common pride and regard
as their common property. Sir, it is
impossible to estimate the value of
these improvements. l will not say
they will make this Union perpetual,
for the frailty and imperfection OF every
thing human forbids us to indulge that
hope. But | will say, that if we wisely
improve our advantages in this respect,
human sagacity cannot point out any
probable cause which will produce a
separation of the states. But if, UNI
happily, it should ever be our destiny
to divide, and if our Liberties should per-
ish In the cnnunlsinn LET lis atlaast Leave