Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-07-28

uninterrupted prticry raGu. p6gfess 20 Power ali,
"eai'h-is the PERIOD which The greatest watchlunes
IS eqnred the period which patriot and the stat
'an should be reused To unusual OF all his ia
cuues' IN oTdsr To penetrate and destroy the effect
poison which uks in the halo glory in which his conn
try isenvcoped, and which dazzling bewderi ing in it.
glare, is Frequently followed, even in the next stem nv
disgrace and ruin l, wha the name of Greece wa,
raised to the very pinnacle OF greaness-when her
her orators predicting in measured strains the eternity
OF her existence that the experienced eye could
amidst all the pride Of victory aud pomp power the
worm at her heart. And does no, see in racipe the
cause of the disgrace and ruin which followed so suddenly
IN the wake of power and honor that change was b,
the e1teche common effect, OF overflow Of
was ia tue brightest glow Of prosperity that Home da
zed by the proision of honor and sinry which plausible
and ambitious chieain had for his country and him.
self III the battlefield, resigned voluntarily his hands
her liberty and her Adversely had tried her
shafts, and Roman nr,itude love Of liberty never
shonc reSpendantly than when with enemy al her
very gates she was threatened with utter destruction But
the steInncss of Roman virtue gave way before the
corruption which prosperity carries in its ,rai has
oee well and eoiueny said, the last and the free
Romans, used his dagger too late his country.
There is tide in the aGhirs of ma lions which flows Oh
through ages in progressive increase till the destined
OF ITS elevation is attained, where ii fingers awhile, and
then sweeps back upon ITSELF gradually at 6rst YET in
creasng the rapdiiy of rerogahe motion a, every
STEP till it is ultimately lost in the great ocean of time
In Ike manner the principle of vitality which raises
country from colony nation which in ere asses its
populations extends its territory Ind resources, which u
ges 1t IN the onwar d path its destined limit weahh
and p"wer-the same principle, slowly and silently but
eec'uay and certainly, sas the foundation of its pros
Pey and causes its decline and fall There is in every
state aud form Of animated existence time of YOUTH of
manhood and of old age and in The history of naliors
we see these three distinct states of as strongly
MARRIED as our own experience enables do in iniv
auas II the stamp of the living God upon his
ana can no more be hwarted by his creatures than the
puy arm OF man turn the planets their course
but though the impeection of any state of his
existence is glaring and palpabe, his disposition 10
oow the dictates Of those erring feelings aud passions
winch are his nature, is but evident, though there be
destined and unrrng marked for our country
whrh cannot be overcome yet free agents. and il
aprn's ON ourselves say, whether that course shall be
honorable or disgraceful.
see hei"re ne collection of young just spring
ing as II were into manhood, one of whom rests
IN some measure the welfare and honor of his country;
ana IS the duty of each us Oh this day To look
PACK with eye of impartial and severe scrutinv-to
ea' away the veil viii; which ry spirit NAV ha hind
(" a-aad II there IS ausht the cnmet-ke brlliaucy
" a'"ry which has far characterised the youth of ON
III there rs aught in the present signs Of the tunes
Wiich threatens premature and dishouorable old aue
eHdeavour to rouse ourselves sense of the danger
10 initiate that devotion the best of causes which
marked the lives of those immortal patriots whose dea
nave consccratcd this day aud made it holy.