Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-12-25

remains. proud even in Der desoIation
noble in her decline, venerable in the
majesty Of religion, and calm as in the
composure of death. The malaria has
but travelled in the parts won by the
destroyers. More than eighteen cen.
turies have moufned over the loss OF the
empire. Cesar had crossed the Rubi-
con: and Brutus did not restore her
health by the deep probings of the Sc.
nate Chamber The Cloths and Van
dals, and Huns, the swarms Of the north
completed only what vas already begun
at hone Romans betrayed Rome -
The lsgions were bought ard sold, but
the people offered the tribute money.
And where are the republics OF mod
ern times which clustered around i'm
mortality! Venice AID Genoa. exist
but in name. The Alps, indeed, look
down upon the brave and peaceful
Swiss, in their native fsstness; but tue
guaranty of their freedom is in their
weakness, and not in their strength
The mountains are not easily crossed,
| and the vallies are not easily retained
When the invader comes, he moves like
an avalanche, carrying destruction in
his path. The peassntry sinks before
bin. The country, too, is too poor for
plumber; and too rough for valuable
conquest. Nature presents her eternal
barriers on every side to check the wan
toDness Of ambition And Switzerland
remains with her simple institutions,
military road for fairer climates, scarce
ly worth a permanent possession, and
protected by the jealousy of her neigh
bours.
We stand the latest, and, if we fall,
probably the last experiment ofself go.
vernment by the people. We have be-
gun it under circumstance Of the most
auspicious nature.-We are in the vigor
of youth. Our growth never has been
checked by the expressions of tyranny
Cur constitutions never have been en-
feebled by the vices or the luxuries of
the Old world. Such as we are. we have
been from the beginning; simple, hardy,
intelligent, accustomed to self govern
ment and self respect The Atlantic
rolls between us and any formidable toe.
Within our own territory, stretching
through MANY degrees OF latitude and
Longitude, we have the choice OF many
products, and many means of mdepen
dence. The governments mild. The
press is free. Religion is free. Knowl-
edge reaches, or may reach, every
home. What fairer prospect could be
presentedf. What means more adequate
to,eccomrlsh the sublime end? What
more is necessary than Tor the pc ople TO
prpserve4yhattbey the mselves have Gre.
ated?
Already hasthe age caught the spirit
Of our institutions 1t has already as
cended the Andes, and stuffed the
breezes OF both ocesus II has infused
Itself into the lite blood Of Europe, and
warmed the sunny plains OF FFsnce, and
The low laudS of III olland II has touched
the philosophy of Germany and the
North, and moving onward to South.
has opened to Greece TIE lessons of her
better days
Can iibe that America, under such
circumstances, can Setrav heiselft That
she Is to1hetaddet 10 TIE catalogue Of
repehljcs, the Inscription upon whose
ruin is, '2Theyewere, but they are not''
Forbid ihmy country men forbid it flea.
ven.
4 cali upon you, fathers by the shades
Of your ancestors, by the dear ashes
wine h repose in this precious soil, BY all
yeu are and aIlyou hope to be. resist
every project Of disunion; resist every
eneroschnent upon your liberties, re
sist every attempt TO fetter your con-
sciences, or smotheryour public schools,
or extinguish your system of public in
struction
i call upon you, mothers,by that which
never fails in woman, the love of your
offspring teach them,as they climb your
knees, or lean on your bosoms, tue
blessings of liberty Swear them at the
altar, as with their baptismal vows. to
be true to their country, and never tor.
getnor forsake her.
cali upon you, young men, 90 re-
member whose sons you are-whose
inheritance you possess Life can ne
yer be too short, which brings nothing
but disgrace and oppression. Death
never comes too soon, if necessary in
tpfnnap oF voup cnuutrv Fddra Gtor,,