Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-07-14

Behold them tHen IFrtFOCaDly cuRd5-
ed in this conflict, upon which hung the
liberties OF millions. How calm and ju'
dicious their conduct, no vain parade,
no declamatory resolves, meaning no.
thing and tending TO nothing but to dis
play the supposed eloquence OF the fra
mer. All was practical and business
like, and those mighty minds, which as
tonished the world by the grandeur OF
their conceptions and the inspired elo-
quenee with which they poured them
forth, could promptly descend to the
most minute and homely details of ne
cessary preparation. They sought not
alone the high and dignifed stations of
the government, but were content to
serve their country wherever her exl-
gencies required, thinking rightly with
Epsninondas, that II was not the office
that illustrated the man, but the man
who gave dignity to the Office. Indeed
there appears throughout all their pro-
ceedings and discussions total ob!'vion
of self, aud an distracted undivided dc
votion to the public veal, which cannot
be too much studied and admired, and
which | would our modern legislators
could more successfully initiate.
In vain however would they have re-
solved and declared, in vain would have
been all their prudence and foresight,
had not the hearts and arms Of their
brave countrymen molly sustained
them. Viewing this infant nation as yet
in "the grissel and not hardened into the
bone of rnarihood,n without treasure or
arms or organised military force, proud
ly meeting in conflict, an old nation,
rich in all resources, famed for her
bravery and victories, the mighty en-
press of the ocean, ''whose flag had
braved thousand years the battle and
the breeze,n who could, reasoning from
human experience and results. hesitate
for moment as TO the fate OF the con-
test: But "they are doubly armed who
have their quarrel just" the sacred
cause neryed the arms Of our country
r,en, "iiberty was in every blowe," and
God did as he always will, defend the
right.
10 speaking of the events which led
to independence, can the name of
WAsHiNGToN be forgotten,a name which
yet speaks from the heroes mould, the
terror OF tyrants, the watch-word and
the war-cry Of freemen throughout the
globe. How admirably were blendid in
him all the qualities OF the hero; how
calm and considerate in the hour of vic.
Tory, how firm and undaunted amid
dangers and defeats; what proves the
nero truly great is never never to des-
pair.o He was no soldier of fortune,
seeking the bubble reputation even in
the cannons mouth, no Alexander or
Bouaparte, sacrificing without remorse,
hecatombs of human victims, to swell
his military renown; to him the earth
quake voice Of victory was Tot the breath
of life. No, he was his country's soldier,
for her he fought, not for himself. He
was proud to be useful, scorning TO be
more, and oft endured the sGeers and
scarcasms of military critics for want
Of spirit and OF enterprise, rather than
endanger the sacred cause entrusted to
his care. | shall not follow his course
through the revolution; trust this
would be as familiar as twice told tale
to all of you. | trust that there is no
school boy here, who has not conn'd and
got by rote this history of our glory. |
trust there is no mother here who has
not charmed the listening ears OF infan-
cy by these tales of our renown. Suffice
It then to say, that through his means,
aided by host of brave and daring spi-
rits, we finally terminated the military
conflict by the capture of CORVALLIS at
Y ork Town, in 1891.
But in the midst Of the rejoicing and
gratulations consequent upon this aus,
picious result, new and alarming dam
ger threatened our itiant repu5lic,-
Some master spirit Of reyolt and mutiny,
a modern Catiline for eloquence and
mischief, addressed to the soldiers, than
about to be disbanded, certain intiama-
tory compositions, since known and ce-
as the Newark letters, calling
upon them to assert their rights whilst
they yet had arms in their hands, and
before they were dispersed, to demand
ample remuneration for their services.
Without pay, worn out with tolls, sour
ed by disappointment, about to retire
from fields of glory and renown to suf-
fering, privacy and poverty, Can it be
wondered at if the soldiery did but too
readily listsn to the voice of this power
full tempterl They did SO listen, they
were ripe for revolt, fit for treasons,
stratagems and spoils, and had Wash
inston, encouraging this spirit, placed
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