Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-07-12

In The Lutheran Chatfch IN sHdftHtSOtFS,
JULY 4th, 1882.
rr,,oy CJrIzENs:-The day which ter
u;aated our struggle with the mother coun
' ord elevated this PEoPLE to the rank OF
!inde,endent Power among the aations OF
az sartb. was far from beholding them IN the
"n;oyment of that prosperity, which they
~ an,;cipated from the successful termina-
go of en- p~erilons a contest. 1t IS true, the
'onCederate States had ~triumphed in their ar
Tnons conflict for Freedom. 1t IS true, they
IA enacted "the noblest drama" oil human
liberty. which had vet blazoned the records
If Struggling and oppressed humanity 4bsy
Iad Used through a war OF singular diff
nsIt1 trial and notwithstanding into
c,g years the achievements and the glory
Of centuries. They had huinbled the naughty
n..tansions of a foe which then welded at will
Inc destlo,es Of a hemisphere-they had vim
dicated the noble p%rerogative of man to the
Inherent rights of self government, and they
,tood before an admiriDg world, another, yet
far the proudest monument IN history OF the
uncomfortable and irrepressibie energies OF
freedom.
And MISUNDERSTANDING the splendour
which illustrated their success in arms, there
was much in thazinternat condition OF the
coun;ry-nuch in the prospect before it, which
chilled the Joy Of the patriot, and saddened
his anucjpa,ions of the future. The affairs
Of America, perhaps at no period OF her his.
tory, had assumed a more gloomy and fore
boiling aspect. At no period did heriortunes
seem more critical, or appear more doubt
fully suspended in the scale OF human con
tnsencies. Even WAsnIHGToE-he whose
indomitable soul had been to US a tower OF
strength through all the perils and disasters
4 Of the war-eyen he yielded to the bltterest
dependency as he surveyed the clouds which
tbickened over our political horizon. Ills
private letters and official papers OF that pc
rod, are repiete with the most agonlsed re
aectjons upon the condition OF public affairs;
and while they breath that passionate deyo-
toD 70 the interests OF his country, which
ever glowed in the bosom OF that illustrious
patriot, he does not fail to point to the dan
GERS which then threatened its tranquility
4 lie saw that the Confederate States had
reached a crisis, by far the most .%eventiul and
i perlI0us in their ~history-that events were
/ tending to an issue dangerous to the peace,
destructive of the happiness OF the nation
4 and that upon the wisdom and PATRIOTISM
4 which marked their then proceedings, de-
pended the fruits ofthat glorious contestwhich
h had Iust been acknowledgements indeed
the greatness or the lnsignificahce OF AMERICA
My fellow-citizens, IN achieving the ttdef-
ties of this country, our ancestors had done
much. They bad transcribed every ration
a. limit OF human probability; they had per
/ formed deeds of unparalleled chivalry, that
must live to the remotest ages, cnsbaimed 10
the grateful recollection OF posterily. let SO
fat they had accomplished but a portion OF
their destiny. 10 have paused here, would
indeed have entitled them to be ranked "a
mong those successful indicators OF the
nights of man, whose efforts have shed so
hl. ht a luster over the annals of Switzerland,
Holland, and the Ancient Republics, but they
would have fallen UNNECESSARILY short OF at
tractng 10 themselves that deep and enduring
debt Of gratitude, which is now so cheerful
accorded to them by a grateful world a
question may | add, If possible, a more
deeply interesting question than even the ac-
QUESTION CT our liberties now pressed itseii
upon the consideration Of the American peo-
l'e' It was tins; Having achieved those Ii,
tetnes at such a sacrifice of human blood
a&d suffering, what MEANS shall we adopt 10
secuie them and transmit them IN peace To
SucceediDg generations. For Liberty, my
'tHaW citizens, as all experience teaches US,
ahoot exist as an ahstraciIon-it can only
aoullsh in connexion with and under the in
ai.nce OF a well regulated governments
5''rfnment Of law, OF order and OF efilclen
y aad America had none such at that pc
'9l' 20 give her the assurance Of the perpe
why OF that blessing.
9aIt!y | will not be accused of any dispo-
s'l'n to depreciate the Importance OF The
~"3uy events of that period. Dead indeed
"'.'' he be to the noblest sy mpatbles OF his
'"'Aie, whose soul is not fered into enthu
ID as he peruses the thrilling records o.
o. revolution. War, besides IN The genera
@gN'Ihall its majesty OF laundering ponp
I"'hahtng music and immortal wreaths,
''' more captivating to the human MINT
''" vac grandCst exhIbluons of intellectual
DNfF or the sublimest spectdcles which :
'.o' 81 tranquility can afford The charms
Ne Odyssey and the labours of UlysSrs ar
5e,'en amidst the splendours of tie Hiat
~ "e martial achievements Of Hector az,