Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-07-20
the harmony and facilitate the progress of
your deliberations.

Gentlemen, we have assembled under Cir
cumstances in the, history otthis country Dor
tending some disastrous changes in her polili-
ca! institutions. Facts, which daily trans.
pre- before our eyes, and which speak ,run-
pet-Iongued 10 the apprehensicns of the pat
riot, admoniSh US, that a crisis has arrived
pregnant with momentouS results 10 the Tor.
tunes Of this nation. That tendency 20 cor
ruption-so sure in lis progress, unless check
ed by The powerful influences of public yir-
tue, and which seems &c 10 a part Of the sys
ten of nations, not less than Of indiv idua.s-
has already made fearful exhibition of its
power In !hc recent operations Of this Gov
ernment. The principles which for more
than three years have characterised the poll
cy OF the present Observation-Disclosures
OF unmitigated despOtism and avowei cor
ruption-and which If sustained must lead to
the certain destruction of the noblest fabric
OF popular Government which the world has
yet witnessed, challenge the consideration OF
all who are alive To the happiness and glory
of this People. When The republic is m
danger, il is the noblest prerogative oftbe
! citizen 10 fly to its standard and minister
to It's support. In oheyng that summons
upon this occasion, Gentlemen, you have
shewn your sense of that deep and solemn re-
! sponslhllity which is ever inscparable from
a just estimation OF those blessings which if is
yetour happiness toenioy.
| Gentlemen there are duties which apperiain
| to the active AS well as To the aged The coun-
| try has her claims uponnll; those claims must
be 0beyed. There are times, 81 those not the
I least interesting in a nations travail, which
demand the efficient action and tireless encr-
! gy OF manhood, not less than the boarded Sc
/ gacIty and matured wisdom Of age Such
! times are those when The temple ofIhe Con.
stiutiOn is proianed in its hottest sanctuary
aye, and by the chosen ministers oiits al
! tar-when the proud honors of this Repub-
lie are made The spois ofcouriiy seryilitv
and ot prosituted honor-whcn secret cor
ruption and lawless violence are struggling
| for supremacy in the high seats ofthis poy-
ernment;- and when the modest inheritance.
"ere heGueathedby sire toson' is endangered
by the foIly-the madness, the vices of men
! in power. Such times reQureaction PROMPT.
efficient, well Concerted--yet peaceable and
constitutional action
Representatives of Virginia YOU have
an important duty 10 discharge You have
| been invited by the venerable fathers of the
country-by your youthful fellow citizens
/ recently convened at Washington, to stand
by them in the momentOuS struggle which
! is now approaching. ltwell becomes YOU
to weigh the attitude which this ancient.
and may not add dis inguished Common
wealth should assume at the impending cri-
Sis. 1t has long been her prescriplye claim
| 10 stand as a warden upon the watch tower
OF the Constitution; there tOprotect it against
the assaults Of open violence and secret hos
! tility. This, if well founded is a high and
| honorable distinction; but permit me 10
say, That ours is government TO be preserv-
cd In us republican puriiy-not by The cabi-
net diilectics Of political schoollman, but by
Graduating actual existing, palpable abuses;
by checkIng that corruption which is now
loo visible in the administration of lis pow
ers, and by depressing that tendency, so IA
tai 10 The career OF all popular governments,
30 perceptitle in the recent course of this. OF
sinking the interests, the honor, the glory
of the entire Republic, in an infatuated de-
votion 10 the personal fortunes of single
man. The times, gentlemen, demand that
deep toned excitement, which has convened
you together from every--even the remotest
sections Of this Commonwealth. The aid
which your zeal and efficient organization
may render, is g'reat-may be decisive. You
have at least much 10 animate your labors
much 10 stimulate and arouse the no
blest energies OF your nature. For YOU are
struggling TO sustain the endangered insti-
buttons of the countrY-io maintain your
Constitution in IFS purity, and 10 uphold the
principles and the policy of WASHING
TON Gentlemen, may your patriotic eff
forts be crowned with success Nav your
proceedings he conducted with a dignity
moderation and iorbearanCe worthy of the
great cause TO which you are about 10 dedi-
cate your labors; and may the spirit Of pure
and sublime patriotism, Of high and ele-
waited wisdom, animate your discussions and
characterize your proceedings.
Gentlemen, beg you, one and all, to
accept the assurance ofmy grateful acknow-
Judgements, for the unmcriled distinction
which your Kindness has conferred upon me.
The address was received with enthusia SIN.
On motionof Chesley Kinney,
ResoLUed, That the rules and regula-
tons ofthe House of Delegates of Vir-
GINA be adopted for the government of
this Convention SO far as they may be
applicable.
On motion of Mr.. NJ Elhenney,
Resotred, That the thanks of this
Convention be given to Maj A. S.
Woodbridge, President pro tenn, and
Richard II. Toler, Secretary pro tenn. for
the able and efficient manner in which
they have discharged their duties.
The resolution offered this morning
by Mr.. Stuart of Wythe, was taken UP,
and being amended was agreed to, in the
following words:
Resoteed That committee. consist
ing of one member from each Congress
sional district represented in the Conyen.
fiop bo onro;rtaJ -. A. TT.