Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1833-12-19

placing Society upon US pfescut touunbsl
none have right to interfere, and cannot
be permitted TO escape the punishment
due TO snch vile offenders The age and
sex Of many Of those servants, preclude
the possibility Of their deserving, without
leaving some trace Of the mode by which
which they have escaped.
| cannot, therefore, forbear asking your
attention to these things, and recommend
|enaclments which will enable society here
to defend itself and punish those distur
bers OF the peace Of the commonwealth
Is there any man amongst Us, free from
the fiendish spirit Of fanaticism, who does
not see the stern necessity of some strong
and determined defences against their en-
croachments upon our rights, and upon
our property? When we entered this U
MON, il was TO secure all the relations Of
our social state, from interruption from
the military power Of the European ty
rants, and insure perpetual tranquility
ard peace with our neighboring sister
States. These thugs call upon US TO dis
charge a duty TO the State, which can
not be delayed, and should never be dis
regarded.
That large majority Of the just and
intelligent frown upon these attempts,
we have good reason to believe. Yet,
when we remember that representatives
10 the Congress, from some Of the States
where these proceedings are had, and un
warrantable publications are made, have
declared similar sentiments upon the floor
Of that house; when we remember, that
in the debate upon the Missouri question,
as it is called; one Of the most distinguish
ed Senators from Northern State, ever
seen in that body, boldly declared that
"slavery did not exist in the United States;
it was only tolerated.; the Constitution had
forborne TO NEEDLE with il; that if it did
exist in the old States, it did not in the
new, and that federal judge would SO
decide, if, by writ of habeas corpus, a
slave holder was brought before him.
This sentiment was, at that day, reiterat.
ed by a distinguished member Of the LIE
legislature of the State whence that Sena
tor came. IT was then by many consider
ed an effort to gain power; by othes, view.
ed in different light. Whilst the just
and good sense of SO large portion Of the
citizens Of those States, yet value the u
Mon, we leave nothing to fear but Of the
doctrine of the proclamation, which comes
like mighty avalanche, overwhelming in
is left unresisted; and we become an inte-
grail part Of "single nation" the loss OF
liberty will not be the only calamity which
many generations Of our descendants will
have to deplore. We, then, become the
subjects Of unresisted attacks Of this fan.
aiicism; all others the most relentless TO
the peaceful tranquility, and against
which reason can make no resistance, nor
friends render benefit. Let us assume
an attitude due TO the character Of our
citizens and the claims our children have
on the fair inheritance, bequeathed by our
fathers, and prove the ability Of their
sons to act greatly.
tits time to take stand upon the subject
that will at once check all further attempts
upon our institutions, and speak in Ian
Iguage which cannot be misunderstood OF
disregarded. 1t is in vain to talk Of con
citation when organized bodies are making
systematic attempts that must, if continu
ed. jeopardize our peace, and mar our
+ prosperity, and if successful. drench our
country in blood. Let it be distinctly un-
derstood, that this "ancient and renowned
Commonwealth" is still "unterrified." and
is the guardian of her own sovereignty
capable and willing to defend the property
and persons other citizens, as she IS ready
+ 20 fulfil her plighted faith, with her sister
Republics in support of the Constitution.
or TO repel encroachments upon it.
When fanatics and brawlers come &c
Influence the sources of government, the
indications Of policy presented by the va
roas and highly endowed statesman up
OF great and elevated plans are neglect
ed, TO NEEDLE with small and domestic
concerns, which in the end, will prove a
bortIve, and blight all the energies OF the
best regulated communities. Let US re
, member that eve the passion for liberty
; IS oi'en lost IN the emergency Of the times
and that fanaticism soon finds efficien
; auxilaries in the calculating selfshness o
kDaves.
When the mind is Invested Of the influ
ence often made by the petty vexations in
cident to strife, too often Identified witt
the principles of government, it cannot fai
to perceive. that civil government as ia
as il can be denominated free. is the worl
Of the people themselves, composing tina
community, instituted by themselves 70
f their happiness alone, and the legislation o
I that government, is the adoption of certain
provisions by common consent, for the pro
f curement of safety and protection. w,
! may look in vain for liberty in a govern
ment, or the administration Of a govern
ment, where laws are adopted by com
mon consent of the legislative body wher
i they are prohibited from being carried
into effect by the mite of one man, q
whom some of IFS provisions may be dis
pleasing, or forced from them by unior
OF interests, under the control OF a junto
The State is free which is guided by it.
own will, or by the will of her represen
tatlves chosen by herself. and account bic
to herself And every State which is no,
so governed. is in slavery. As long a:
the States shall be regarded as SOVEREIGN