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

our affairs, il seems to me like the visions OF
a dream. My mind ran scarcely re%llze It as
a thing in actual existence so strange, SO
wonderful does it appear to me. There are
combustibles in every state, TO which aspark
might set FIRE"
The intelligence Of our real condition soon
reached the continent OF Europe, and as It
may readily be conceived, excited very die
| lerent feelings IN the advocates OF liberty and
despotism. To the first, II was a source Oh
unmingled m%ortific Ito the latter, II fur
| nished an argument against that rising spirit
of liberty, which already begun TO swell and
animate the palsied energies Of France. Ono
! At least, there was in that country, WHO
watched our movements with no ordsnsry So
licitude; he, | mean. who has been justly
| styled the apostle Of HbSfy ~ tpo hemisphere,
and who, new reckning under the shade OF
| his ~favoriie vines, may enjoy the conscious
ness of having contributed more to the pro-
pagation of free and cniI5n;eaed o,c..asoix
throughout the world, than any Alan now
living. Amidst the active occupation Of am
adsesturous life, &c does not forget that
country 10 which he dedicated the virgin af-
~seetions of his heart. but having performed a
tour through Europe, and gathered its opln-
ions Of our character and prospects, he thus
writes TO General Washington:
Il have often had the modification to hear,
that the want OF powers in congress, of uni
on between the states, of energy ia their go
vernment. would make the confederation ve-
ry insignificant. by their conduct in the re-
volution, the citizens Of America have COM
manded the respect OF the world, but it
grieves me to think they viii in a measure
lose it, unless they strengthen the conIedc-
ration. give congress the power to regulate
trade. pay of their debt, or at least, the in
terest Of II, establish a well regulated militia.
and in a word. complete all those measures
which you have to them"
Among the wise and rejecting portion Of
the American people, there existed but ona
opinion as TO the trae remedy for tho exis-
ting disorders. The disease, manifestly was,
a weak. irnpracticahle. Inefficient govern
ment; a government without protecting pow
er or redeeming energy. and with barely
revenue enough 10 bay stationary for its
clerks. or to pay the salary Off door keeper
TIL remedy was, the organization OF q go
vernment with sufficient power to constitute
ii a competent guardian for all the dear and
essential interests of the country! 1t was
impossible that the frail and toitering struc-
ture OF the confederation, could continue
long. 1t alres iy exhibited the most violent
symptoms Of a speedy dissolution. 1t was
cei tain, 1t nust soon fall by some sudden
convulsion, or perish by its own imbecillty.
This led to the hope that one better adapted
TO the exigencies of tho country, might
spring from its ashes, The continuance too
OF our commercial embarrassments-the a.
c~uteness of our pecuniary distresses.-the en-
tire prostration OF the industry OF the coun-
Try. and the Glamour Of the public creditors.
conduced to a state Of feeling, propitious to
a radical and beneficial change.
1t is a source of some pride 10 perceive
81 U-r~.a,. axa fIa .,nnH old Gnrnuaan-
wealth OF Virginia,--was among the first To
threw the weight OF her character in sup
port of this new and important revolution.
Her great extent Of territory; her eminent
public services; the commanding talent and
r~esistless eloqueuce oil her sons; her superio-
rity to local prejudice; and her ardent and
generous devotion to the interests OF the COM
mon country, gave her an Influence in tho
affairs of the confederacy, at that period ana
for many years subsequent, winch nothing
but the mad misruie Of local legislation, aud
the too Improbable pursuit of political meta
physics could even to this day have shakesn-
She was then for the Us1oH, for the just and
essential powers of the Union, but more re-
Gently guided by the lights of another school
mot the school of WAsnISeroF, nor even
of MADISON, and wrapt in the ciouded obscu-
rites Of constitutional phraseology, she has
descended from her thigh estate to be the
mere critic OF federal measures-the point
| less salirist of federal authority.
II was a circumstance OF perhaps still
greater cause for congratuiatlon. that there
existed at tina. period in the country, a man
Of The commanding influence and popularity
of Washington. II is the opinion Of a DIS
tiDguished historian, that, not the intrinsic.
propriety OF the proposition itsclf-not th,
distressing exigencies Of the country woutI
have insured It a successful considerable
with the American people. unaided by the
personal character and recommendation OF
that illustrious man. To him, indeed, the
accomplishment of an efficient Union, was
the object Of a sleepless anxiety. From tho
close Of the war, TO the organization OF inc
convention, he was ever jealous, earnest anu
u%ntiring in urging it upon the consideration
Of his countrymen, and from the adoption OF
The constitution 10 the period Of biz death, III
all his papers private and official. and more
particularly in that solemn and imposing adj
dress which you have this day heard, he pro-
claimed It s'the m,ais pillar u The edDice n
gosg real independence; the support u yotn..
tranquility at home; Of your prosperity. 1
that perg liberty which you so highly prize"
It was not n the hearts of his conntrymen to
resist his deep, anxious and eloquent appeals
sustained as they were by the Increasing
dangers and embarrassment OF the nation.
A convention accordingly met al Annapo-
lis, in which five states were represented.
They did not proceed to act upon me great
subject which had brought them toselhsf-
- $50 ftEtH