Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-07-21
From ac National Gasetts.

From hc National Gazette.
BELMONT made, a few DAYS since
an agreeable but melancholy visit to Belmont
the residence of the late Judge Peters, the
most beautiful and commanding situation or
the high and romantic banks of the Scbuyl
kill. As looked round on the antiouatec
ornaments of the ball of the mansion, am
rambled through the dark and shaded avenue.
ofthe surrounding grounds, nv thoughts turn.
ed to the great men who had SO often, will
agonlzing solicitude, communed there upon
the destinies ofour couatry 10 The days of heI
trial and perils. The long and intimate con
nexion between Judge Peters aud the patri
OTIS OF our revolution, the founders OF our re
public, the trainers OF our incompatible con
stitution, is well known, and their visits were
frequent TO his retired aud delightful abode.
Here, Washington, Morris, Hamilton, VIII
son, Jay, and others of the same class of tru
W great, enlightened and honest statesmen,
have watched the various fortunes of their
beloved country ,-have held their consulta
lions upon measures TO avert some threaten
ing danger, or to advance and secure some
Frightening prospect. Such were the men
who then were our counsellors and guides:
who, directed by their experience, wisdom,
and high, inspected integrity, the great con
Germs OF our country; and mark the success
that followed them-Houour and prosperity
wealth and strength, freedom and happiness
at home, respect and admiration from abroad
poured IN upon these United States with aD
unexampled rapidity and prelusion. Who
are those who have now usurped the seats o.
these great and pure men, and assumed the
government of our affairs? What is Their
experience, their wisdom, or their disnterest
edness? Let their names answer. refer
not to the Secretaries, but to the all power
ful auditors and editors These are now the.
american Statesmen successors of Hamilton
and Morris. These are the men whs are now
called int the councils of the nation: who.
Ter their own purposes, confuse and control
creduious old man, not superior to them
selves in the knowledge BETTING bis station
ana duties, and inferior to them in cunning
and intrigue. What do the American people
know OF these nleu that they should trust
them with their honor and their dearest in
terests! When were they first heard of
What are their public services or private vir-
tues? Two oil them first sprung upon our
notice on the election of General Jackson:
and the ether, when the intrgues at WASH
lngton called for a new journal to fabricate
caiamnies with unblushing impotence, and
give support to transactions disgraceful to
every American citizen. On such beings we
must depend for every thing that is valuable
to us as people. When contrast the men
by whom we are governed with those by
whom we tcere governed, it requires all the
confidence have in the strength Of our Ia
stitutions 10 believe that they can stand the
change.
The walks of Belmont are overgrown with
briars; its mansion is falling to decay; for
the hand which sustained them in their bean
ty is no longer there. Is this an emblem of
our repnbiic. Viii it be overrun with uox
ious weeds, and sink into premature dilapi-
dation, because the master spirits who first
infused life and eIergy into il are no more?
Shall 'things rank and gross in nature DOS
sess it merely?' We must not perish thus
The weeds which poison our atmosphere and
obstruct our growth must be extirpated. the
soil cleared. the air made fresh and whole.
some, and we shall rise proud Of our strength
-confident OF our destiny. The sceptical
advocates OF absolute governments shall see
and believe and confess that virtuous and
Intelligent people know how to value and
how to preserve their prosperity, their ham
plness. and their honor, as well as their lio
erty and independence X.
aTMr Richie, in the Enquirer of Friday.
says IN allusion to the President, ave
have heard the most disrespectful reproaches
thrown upon his character-at one time.
painted as tyrant; and at another as a fool:
as too weak TO administer the functions of the
government. and then as too passionate TO
leave authority to the discretion of others.
Now zee too, have heard all this and mach
more, In by gone times, from Mr. Richie him
| self Yes, before the events of the last two
years had shewn US how correct was the es
innate which the Enquirer formed Of Gen
jackson, we heard, through it, harsher say
iDgs of him, than any winch now are to be
met with in the columns Of the opposition
press Fredericksburg .irens.
We learn with regret, thai the U. States
schooner ARIEL, which recently sailed from
| Norfolk, for the southwark, has put back in
consequence OF the sickness Of Lieut. Com
| modore Shaw.
1t is mentioned in the st Augustine Her
aid, that the rseent election for Delegate
from Florida, which resulted in the success
of Mr.. White, by majority Of sixty votes
is to be contested by his opponent.
Consolation. old i~5y once being yer,
sorey afflicted with disorder uscs..Y demo
/ tod kx,st a.