Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-03-21

! the Community was insulted by bare. faced and
palpable peryersions oflanguags which no liberal
mind could misinterprei.
What had | done, TO justify such an epithets
Had not invariably condemned the doctrine as
attempted BY both Georgia and South Carolina /,
defy the ingenuity OF the most acute, to point
Out single line that have written, which can
bear such construction.
When South Carolina threw herself into an at
utude OF resistance to the Tariff laws, and the
President issued his Proclamation expressed re-
greet at the posture Of affairs, and invoked my e
low-cItizens TO use fmbsrdnce and moderation
ms was seized upon as an evidence Of "sympa-
thy for the Nullifers."
VIXEN raised warning voice against Weld
ing to the Tst tmp'tlses Of feeling, and express
sed hope that moderate counscls would prevail
thls too was seized upon as an evidence Oi sssym-
patty for the NulIifcrs."
When l stated, from sources OF Information
which were undoubted, and from facts whcA had
tranSpired under nay own observation, the danger
o. once engaging ia eris srGr, and that the other
southern states would, from an affinity of interest
and feeling, eventually take part with South Ca
roina, and thus the glorious Union Of Dur States
De broken uP-this, too, was urged rs evidence
that was Nullifsr
This talismanc word was stuck uponmy back,
like the shirt of Nessus: and all my efforts 10
shake ito, only redoubled the zeal OF NV dyersa-
ries to confine II there. They now suppose they
have given it a durable resting place-and they
call upon YOU TO Join in the shout Of derisiou-
thinking perhaps, that like craven hearted cul.
prit, viii skuIk from the storm and fly from the
tribunal before which theyahavc arraigned me
But in this they mistalxen--T tuiH stand ,au
tfdt-and though the same liberal community
which heretofore honored me, may H0tc discard
me, shall feel that though reb,lsed, ana not dis
honored
In reference TO the late unhappy controversy
with South Carolina, took pacific ground and
am condemned. Mr.. Clay took similar ground
and he is ogplauded by friends and enemies MY
sin consisted in being two months in advance Of
public sentiment.
But peace is restored and the country is happy
| and joyful. What boots il, that a worm nike l.,
should be trampled upon and crushed in the ar
dor Of the moment
Fellow citizens if there is any thing on earth
which detest from the bottom Of my heart il is
tngratitude. trust have not been, and never
shall be, guilty of it. probably have uninten-
tionally given offence TO youfor, being ga PLAN,
blunt man." have no ''sst phrases Of courtesy -
wherewith to "sugar over" my homeiy conccp-
| tons. But this can assure you, that whatever
may be your decision on the third Monday in A
! pril next, no occurrence can eradicate from my
heart the remembrance of your former kindness.
A new ground of offence has been found
in an editorial article, referring to the late
public meeting. A word or two in rela-
| ton to that. II was written during my alb
sence, and was aimed (in no unfriendly
spirit, however, at the authors of the re
solUcs quoted Misunderstanding at the time
| that they were the work of ttco gentle
men. One of them ] had considered as
instrumental in fixing upon me, without
any design, | am sure, on his part. the
tint of Notification That article was
therefore levelled, as retaliatorp. though
| dcfensiUc, blow at him, II was conceived
III 40 spirit of unkindness- but 10 feel
ing ofwhat opposed to be good humor-
| ed rsiilery Ii has, however, wounded
friends. The dictates or justice olon0
prompt me to make this explanation And,
as never yet have "taken counsel from
my fears" hope no one who attributes
this disclaimer to feeling Of that sort,
| will honor ne with his suffrage. - But,
some say, il is brorador-a defiance Of my
/ friends. | am aware of my imperlections
Il am sensible Of my follies-but no one
will call me either an absolute fool or
! downright niadmaa. What insult 500 of
my friends1 Who can believe that ! in
tended it? Who can suppose me guilty
of such egregious hardihood--such gross
faulty?
Fellow citizens. am done-3eal with
me as your honest judgments may dictate
If you have irretrievably lost your good o
pinion of me, | regret i'll shall never
change mine of yu. All ask is delibe
rate consideration of my merits and de
merits. if | am doomed to "kick the
| BEAM" be it so have yet some sources
of consolation left opposed feebly, yet
| earnestly. measures which feared would
lead to scenes of blood--to the desolatipn
Of the homes Of the innocent. Ny own
little home has yet some attractions for
me-and though may be destined to en-
| counter the scowiag glance offhose whom
| have unwittingly offended. yet the rehec
ton will still be left TO me. that the eyes
oil those who meet me around the domes
tic hearth-where political storms never
intrude-will still beam penignsntly upon
me; and that the best solace, under all cir
cumstances, a clear conscience, will attend
me in my retirement.
Your Fellow Citizen,
JOHN s GALLAHER.
March 16, 1888.