Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-07-20

In compliance with q request made by the
committee Of arrangement, Major Peer has
politely furnished, for publication, copy OF his
-OsatioB.
.Bp Friends aud respectable .fnbio'E
There IS not one here, | feel contcent,
tItere Is no plhlanthropic heart, but must warm
10 rexnond TO the sublime truths OF the lmmor-
tai INSTRUMENT Just read by my very worthy
friend. with 50 much feeling and point--tfuths,
annlicable at al times, lmperishsbie as nature
;tsrlE-truths, which must command The appro.
hation of the wise and good ~ all ages-tfuths,
tbst will forever shine the terror OF tyrSnts, be-
cause proclaiming the rights OF men and Of ma
tions 10 self government, and that tie people OF
every country should have the power OF aooi-
;yh;ng mr. changing the existing government,
.nd 10 establish that best calculated TO pro-
mite rbeir interests and happiness. Such are
SHE PRINCIPLES contained in the Declaration OF
lndencndence Forever may theS abide with
AZ. aud descend in perpetuity to our successors.
An Grafton Is frequently part OF the eere-
,nnay in this DAYS celebration, add the subject
has occupied the best gifted and acquired Ia
Tents in the country. The ground has been so
fully travelled, that not even q by path IN the
field of fancy, description, or exhorta'ion, is left
,,nexnlored. BEING little accustomed TO public
sneaking, and not much exercised ~ compost
ton, well may apPrehend inability. Yet, in
iilsti 80 myself, and such OF yon as may have
tormed much expectation, must be permitted
10 say, that not even an tntlmatIon ct the honor
conferred, was made to me until within the last
week. and that at season as YOU all know
when we farmers are most particularly employ
ell. Having, however, accepted the task. and
disIiking the aiFectstipn OF apology, l shall do
the best can, with the offered devotion Of a
fervept heart-throging myself on your liberal
i.v for all reasonable and just allowances.
/ would ask the world, and, more emphati.
oa)Jv, those Political Quacks of Europe who
have been SO long and frequently prophesylng
the decay, anarchy, and dissolution Of our con
federacy, what can better demonstrate the ablll-
~ Of the United States to maintain the pFincl-
ysIes contained in our Declaration OF Indepen-
dence. than the successful termination OF two
,y,rs' It prociams TO the world truth, sustain
ed BY fifty years experience. that while we con
tinue under the safeguard of our present gov
eminent, all foreign or domestic attempts on its
integrity or rights, as well as on the freedom of
our social Institutions, must be vain and lllusory,
When engaged, as we now are, in the high
and delightful duty Of celebrating the birthday
of nation of freemen, | humbly apprehend
that all acrimony---aIl rrtation--sil local party
politics, should be hushed to sleep. Our con-
Germ oughtto be about the existence, the honor,
the power. and the improvement OF the great
body Of the people; and dismiss, as unworthy
of its ceremonies, any thing tending TO offend
foreign nations with whom we are at peace; and
refrain from recurring to foreign wrongs. 1t
cannot be necessary as justification Tor ctr ia
tbers' throwing oil yoke found too heavy to
bear.
Great Britain has learned to respect our
strene,h. Our friendship is precious to her
our enmity greatly pernclous. There snbsist
ties of co nmon jnterests--ot common dangers
and OF kindred blood. Under such circHm-
stances, and when together we were making
the most generous and phIlanti'ropic efforts TO
abolish the inhuman slave trade and to civilze
the sons of benighted Africa, all unnecessary,
wvundinr reflections, should be avoided Cour-
tesy friendship, and the laws OF peace, forbid it,
In the Declaration of Independence we promise
TO regard the British people Enemies IN war.
in peace friends" Yet it is to be expected
and do not know if it does not best coNport
with the objects to be attained by tins cetebra
ton. that our present elevated and glorious
situation be contrasted with our former debased
colonial state OF vassaagei aud we may say,
without any having the right to except that, |
this day we convene to commemorate the gio-
rious struggle between liberty and despotisn,
government and Aerchy, religion and b'gotry.
This day. half century ago, proved the victory
of principles, the triumph OF virtue. The Attn
of July will, trust, continue to be celebrated
bv our latest nosterity, as the splendid era OF
uHr national glory. when was annihiIated all CO.
IoniaI submission-th seyeriug blow was then
s,ruck-and old ocean now rolls between us, an
eternal monument of separato on.
Our forefathers the early American settlers,
having left their native homes in search oil free
dom and advancement in life, were cast, by Di-
vine Providence, on = houseiess country, where
every thing was to be provided from their own
imnoyerished resources, for defence, comfort
and prosperity. Under such circumstances, cnu-
rage, tirmaess and energy, were essential to
success; and under such parents, were the chi-
oren OF the revolution taught freedom and JUS |
tee Possessing the hardy body and determ'n-
I'd spirit, the opposition to Great Britain excited
an attention 20 arms throughout the country. |
That great event produced an universal and or |
canned armament Of the people, calico militia, |
snd of which the volunteers are noble emana- |
tion, This description of force, the militia, is |
BODY, en- masse, ready for peace or war; nigh !
sy tuoedged sword. calculated to resist inVa'
eion from abroad, or oppression at home-to
opoose domestic violence, and MAINTAIN inter- !
nal peace, order and good government HE !
course of the revolutionary war gave very ma |
ny occasions for ME actual arduous service OF !
his numerous body--a body which rs every |
where present and exercising the privilege to !
own and use arms-4st right exclusively belong !
ing and dear to AL Americans, and engrayen on |
he inestiInabic tablets OF their public liberties. /
At the hattie Of Lexington and Bunkers Hiil' on /
The banks of the Savannah, in the glorious held !
Of Saratoga, and at various intermediate places,
he American militia, though deiectiveiy provI'
1ed, endured sutierngs, and were called on to
perform duties which no other people on earth
we're cnmnetent 10. because none know tue va