Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-08-15
THOMAS 5. CRIsrKE. OF S. c.

The following letter from the Hon.
Thomas S. Grimke, conserving 10 fur.
nish copy of his Grafton before the
Washington Society, for publication,
shews that he has ever been the consis-
tent advocate Of American Union and
American Liberty-that although one
of the old federal party, in the day
when opposition to the republican adj
ministration of Thos. Jefferson was at
its height, and New England, suffering
and inpatient under the restrictive
system of that era, was ready to sever
her connexion with our political family,
he rebuked the federalspirit ofdisunion,
with the same patriotic feeling and
holiness that have recently arrayed
him against the dogmas and designs of
notification.
'Gentlemen-You letter of this date, reques-
ting copy Of my Grafton, delivered before the
Washington Society on the 4th, for publication,
has been received acquiesce in your wishes,
under the belief, that whatever is devoted to the
cause Of our tcd0le Country, to tia character OF
Washington, and the spirit OF American lnstitu-
tions cannot be valueless; and may If executed
II has been my singular fortune, at the distance
of twenty four years, TO stand again before my
Country on the Anniversary OF American indie
pendcnce, 20 yindieate the integrity OF the Union
and the saDctity OF the Constitution. la ls1s, !
was called TO demonstrate, on behalf ofmy whole
Country, against the discontents and disaheetion,
which had been engendered in the Eastern States.
| In 1888, have been summoned TO the painful
and Notifying duty Of expostulating, on behalf
| of that whole country, with my native State, for
sentiments and deeds, far exceeding all that has
| ever yet been done, IN this country against the
| Constitution and the Union. May the Carolina
of future years, with redoubed fidelity and love,
yindicate the spotless character and elevated
standing, once her proud distinction; but now so
changed, under the baleful influence Of men, who
could have made her the brightest star of the
Union. The grief Of our Sister States for the
sake Of Carolina, exceeds their indignation at
the principles, that have been avowed, and the
acts, which have been threatened, by her lea
ders Let us rejoice, at the result of recent e
vents, not the victory Of party, but as the tri
umph of our country. Respectfully,
THOMAS S. GRINKE.
Messrs James III. Smith and others,
Committee of Arrangements Of the Washing
ton Society"
In 1909, Mr.. Grimke thus eloquently
pictured "the folly and madness of dis
union"
"Ihe American, who can look forward with
calmness to the day of separation, must be either
more or less than man. He must be the victim Of
ambition or corruption; a deludcd enthusiast, or
prophet of good, which the most sanguine dare
not hope, and the keen-eyed statesman cannot
foresee. Thenceforward the American Eagle
shall drop the olive branch of peace, and grasp
only the arrows Of war The hand, which writes
the declaration of disunion, shall feel the blood
curdle in its veins; and the tongue which reads it
to the world shall stiffen in the act. The noun
tans that divide us, shall be ''the dark mountains
Of death,' and the streams that flow between like
the waters of Egypt, shall be turned into blood"
''But terrific as is the picture, which anticipa-
ton presents, let us gaze upon IT, resoutely and
calmly. Conceive the eventful crisis arrived when
the delegates of America meet 10 sever our con-
federacy. Unlike the glorious Congress which
declared us independent, unlike the equally glo-
rious Convention, which framed our Constitution,
they would join TO destroy the fairest edifce that
human hands have ever raised, Already is their
object attained; with one voice they pronounce
US free and independent Of each other. They
dash on the earth the tables of our common alli-
ance; they march in triumph to kindle the flame,
that is TO consume the temple OF the union, and
hear with smile, the loud crash, as il sinks in
ruins In vain, when the youthful genius Of A
merica is laid the altar Of separation, may
voice from Heaven cxclaim, "hold. holdi!'' In
vain, may the bleeding image of their country
arise and point to her wounds; each will exclaim,
in the language of the murderer Macbeth, "thou
up the spirit of Washington to halow their rites
like the prophet at Endor he shall look but to
blast, and speak but to curse"