American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-10-15
From the National JOa, nat.
A SOLEMN APPEAL.

annals of our country, for their services and ac-
Quirements there can be no doubt that the great
mass OF our citizens possess high sense oil moral
obligation, and an mistaken belief IN the truths oil
Christianity No people can long ENJOY a tree
government where the principles OF morality are
disregaded. defect here is radical in its nature
1t should, therefore, be the chief concern OF those
who properly appreciate the blessings OF free gov
eminent, 10 cherish virtue and denounce vice. All
conduct in violation OF the principles of morality
should be marked with disapprobaton by the peo.
pie. In this respect, the people, in the exercise OF
their political rights, may do more Tor the advance
ment OF virtue. than the ministers OF religion.
The influence of example is denied by none
And il is universally admitted, that the conduct of
hose who fill elevated stations in society, is inauen
tlal, in proportion TO their elevation. All history
affords proof OF this statement. The bible is fu
lon the subject In the history OF the Jewish ma
ton we see how extensively the conduct OF ruler
Influenced the people. They seemed TO have their
character most accurately delineated, IN the bogra
ply oil their governor. II his course was vicious,
the people became depraved. If virtuous, the
principles OF virtue never failed TO be generally
practised. 1t may be admitted that in our form Of
government, the conduct of profigae magistrate
does essentially corrupt society under des-
posm. But no one will deny, that even in our
government, the man who occupies the highest EN-
Inence has the greater influence through all ranks
OF society. This is verified daily, and is accord
ing TO the nature of things. When the people
bestow their sufirages on an individual, they give
the highest evidence that they approve his past
duct. BY investing him with the trust, they not
only declare him possess the necessary qualif
cations, but that he merits the place. An opinion
oi his merits can only be formed by an impartial
view OF his past life. And in proportion to the
Importance OF the trust Is The evidence OF appro.
patton. II the office conferred be of the highest
importance he IS viewed as standing in the estima
ton of the community if not entirely aultless, at
least not liable y any material objection. Tn 5
truth canno; be controyerted.
How important is it, therefore, that the public
appreciation should be cautiously given. The bound
aries between vice and virtue should be distinctly
marked Vice should receive the public reproba-
ton, whilst virtue should never fail ~ its reward
These principles cannot be exercised more
important occasion, than that oil electng chieI
Magistrate.
Al that can be said in commentator Of virtue,
and against wee, applies with full force in the ex
ercIse OF this important right by the people. We
are not alone interested in this subject. We owe
much TO the cause OF liberty. Different nations
marx the development OF free government, as ev
denced by our national policy. And the principles
OF freedom will be recommended 10 other nations,
IN loporuon to The purity 10 which they are pre-
served, and the success with which they are prac
tlsed in ours The claims oil posterty will also be
upon US. Ii we fail in transmitting to them the
principles of our government in their purity, We
shall have no place among the benelactors OF man
Our names may be lost, but our age will be traced
on the page OF history, which delineates human
dep avity,-which shews the triumph oil vice over
srtue-,he destruction Of liberty and the reign oil
despotsm.-Pe thus far, will be found to
differ With me in opinion. But, serious differ
ence may be expected, when | come 10 make an
Application OF facts.
So nsurmountable an obstacle to truth, is preiu
dice, that all reasoning is sometimes vain. Though
one should rise from the dead, yet would they not
De convinced" This, however, affords no excuse
Tor relaxation of duty. The faithful preacher
warns the people of the consequences Of their sins
though they disregard his warning. Not less faith.
ful should be the exetlions oil the man who sincere
y loves his country. He should portray to The
people, III the most striking colors the danger of
political aposacy. He should not fail to warn them
against hestowlng their confidence man who
had dsregerded all the social feelings of our nature,
and had violated, in the most criminal manner the
avs OF Co and his county. You are ready I'll
say that such an one is monster in creation, and
can have no claims to the public confidence. The
sentiment is correct; will you suffer me to apply it
Does not William H. Crawford ask your suffrage
Tor the highest Office within your gift and have not
his hands been imbrued in the blood Of fellow
being Remember the unfortunate Van Allan
His ashes rest the field Of honor, falsely so cal
led but his dearest connexions, where are they !:
Time the great sooher of affection, may have
tempered the excess Of their grief but can they
ever forget that he fell in savage combat, by the
hand OF that man who now asks the highest honor Of
his country
Tell me not Of the laws of honor The laws Of
heaven are of paramount obligation-they sanction
IntnlpPnce nj he ms M
could be more insulting to the Deity, than to pre-
sent SO false plea, in extenuation Of the highest
crime. A crime which he has declared shall be
punished with everlasting destruction. The laws