Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-07-15
AN GRAFTON.
Pronounced by W.M MCO.Nrl
at the Presbyterian Chureh IL Hhc
on the 4h Of Jgiy, 1879.

=
FELLow-CIrIzENs:
It's always a grateful spectacht !,
men. who feel interested in the prosp
of their country, assembled togethq
the purpose of comR9e+4roraling those
and remarkable events, which have d
guishcd their country. The spirit
brings them together Is one that does
liz to the human understanding and o.
to the cause Of liberty. The oblcc
such an assembly is TO review the och
menis of those most Immediately con-
ed with the event commemoratcd; 20
upon the advantages gained thereby
principles, the moral relation and polr
situation, which such an event Openc
the world; and above all, to express
gratitude to the kind author Of all our b.
incs. But it is peculiarly pleasing to
that class of citizens, who constitute
support of government IN peace, add
defence in war, the entorprIsing mech
and manufactures, united in the oelebn
of this day-thc anniversary Of that
mnnte moment, which delivered them &
the thraldom of foreign power and
bled them to foster and protect the prodg
oftheir own industry. United as they
| by their interests, and with hearts dcyc
to.this cause, no power can withstand
moral force of their unanimity, no schc-
however cunningIy devised, can ihwah
uccess, and n o opposition, from "hatel
source it may proceed, can retard
growth and prosperity of our country,
! Nothing will so ellectually bind the hear
and strengthen the sympathy Of all class
and nothing so readily dispel party hatro
and political anmosities, as the lrequc.
contemplation ofthe glorious achIcyemcl
of our ancestors--their sacrifices, ld
priyations and their suherlngs-but abo|
all, their unanimity in promoting the into
ests of H. cir country. In that eyentul q
Rod. no local distinction, no opposing o
terests distracted the councils Of the nat,
all were united, as a band of brother
in opposition to oppression and IN supp,
of the rights Of man.
The frequent contemplation otihese "
| tues raises the mind above itself, sumnlal
it to emulate the magnnnimity OF our DEP.
ted Fathers and inspires It with the hc
ardor of patriotism. The mind that is O
elevated by a review of these transactlo
is indeed lost TO all sensbIllty. Even {
vassals of Europe, upon reading their
tory, arc lost in wonder, that such writ
and such magnanImity should have adol
ed human nature. And were we still {
prived ofour dearest rights, and compel
to contribute the produce Of our labor
the support Of a corrupted goycrnme
were we still the subjects of oppression q
the slaves of despotic ministers, yet {
hearts would throb and our checks glow
the recital of these glorious deeds. WI
then should be our feelings when We rec
lect, that those sages were endeared to
by the tenderest ties Of nature-that th
their insirumentahly, we are surround
withpeacc, prosperity and happiness-d
we are placed IN the possession Of llbe
and independence, and enjoy all the rig
which the God of nature intended 10 con
on man. OH our generation for tht
great and exalted men should be- lmme
urabIe, and our hearts overflow with gr
tude TO that Providence who rules and 2
erns the destiny Of nations. Reyoluli'
had heretofore been effected, the manac
of despotism severed, and the condit
of mankind ameIiorated.--Gre has
her struggles-Rome has bad her triuml
over oppression--England has been re
lutionlzed, and France convulsed; md ?
haps their misfortunes may have cnlight
ed their minds and softencd their condit
I But it was reserved for ihe Congress
! '76 TO break through the prejudiccs VIII
had heretofore enslayed mankind, 10 yr
date the dignity Of human nature, and
place the rights Of humanity upon the G
ing pointed out by the DEGREES Of a Der
cent Providence. il would be uscles.
attempt to eulogise the wisdom Of that
gust assembly. Their deeds bespeak Oh
J best praise, and the happy condition Of
country is The greatest monument of %
glory with them the Republic Vas
cry thing; for that alone they consult
| the only faction they formed was agai
| the common enemy; their minds ard D.
bodies were sincerely and nobly exef
not fer personal power, but for tie hbcrii
the honor and glory of their country z
they were endowed with qualities adequ
to the occasion which called forth their
ergies.
J TITS true that genius viii at all times
theatre for the display Of its powers
The wants, both natural and artificial
mankind, that restless curiosity SO Il
dent to the human mind. their passlo
their hopes and their fears. have elici