Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-06-13
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MARTINsBURG. Jusr Is. 1883
LATE CANAL MEETING.

n the information that ths, Hon. Charles Fenton
Mercer, the late able and distinguished President
Of that company, has been elected from office, and
Jshn H. Eaton, formerly Senator from Tennes-
see has been elected TO that important and res
'pousible trust. What the motives were, which
led to this extraordinary procedure we have on
" been able TO gather from general rumour;-be
they what they may however, il is impossible
that the change can result honorably for the glory
Of the country beneficially for the interests of
the stockholders.
General Mercer, II is known, is the individual
whose genius planned & whose energies have SO
far matured this splendid and magnificent scheme
Of Public mrrovement;-whose diplomacy has
sosignally triumphcd over the opposition Of a ri
val enterprise, and whose untiring labours have
brought to its aid the contributions Of Maryland,
III. District Of Columbia, Virginia, and The Uni
ted States Without the zeal and energy of
Charles Fenton Mercer, where would this great
work have been'-quictlyr eposibs upon the leaves
Of your statute book, with some hundred other
useful enterprises, which perish in embryo for
want Of the requisite genius and enterprise to
push them to maturity. Nearly one hundred miles
Of our canal is now complete, or will be so in the
Of this year, and this astonishing result has
been accomplished against an opposition Of rival
interests and embittered passions that would long
since have crushed the design, had it been in the
hands of ordinary men. The execution OF the
work justifcs in all respects, the proud anticipa-
tons of its friends; and has been an ample source
Of instruction and admiration to those who have
been attracted to its examination Under such
circumstances and at this moment when our lands
are every day advancing in value-and we are
beginning to realise the most important benefits
from this magnificent conception, and when every
heart is warming with gratitude towards the in
dviduat whose unparalleled labours have accom-
plished this glorious result--without a murmur
Of complaint, without a suggestion Of inidelity in
ofhc' we are astonished-amazed and oyerwhel
red by the information of his expulsion from Office
If this crying act of ingratitude will strike our
readers with astonishment, the motives which
prompted it, and the course of REASONING which
led TO it, must crimson their faces with shame and
modification 1t exhibits another instance of
Wild ferocous, Robesperian and despotic pros
trption. Gen Mercy is not political friend to
the present Executive. lie was reelected to
congress in opposition to the NO vigorous efforts
Of his hireling presses The United States own
but a million of stock and therefore could not by
ais own vote exercise that prescription which has
been the leading and characteristic policy of the
present administration. To accomplish the same
result however, Gen Jackson gave it out to be
distinctly understood that he would sanction no
appropriation OF money by congress, in aid Of
that work, so long as MIR Mercer continued Pre-.
Sident-thus forcing the company to sacrifice a
distinguished and faithful servant to the wrath Of
his enemies, or be denied the benefit Of any fur
Their aid from the General Government. Awed
by these executive menaces, the city authorities
Of Washington, with Byzantine subserviency,
un ted with the government, and recorded their
votes against Mr. Mercer and in favor of John IT.
faton' We are politicians aud therefore are
out lily capable of approaching the force of those
considerations of political e1pediencu, which
swayed the city authorities of Washington. But
oeheVing as we do, that an honest policy is al
ways safe one, and with the lights which we
have on this subject, would say, if that great
work cannot by the force Of its own intrinsic
merits, attract the support Of those who are so
deeply concerned in its completion, let its pro-
gress be suspended-aye let it perish, rather than
advance its interests by yielding to the despotic
caprices of an insatate Executive, or surrender.
ing iota of what is due to the claims of indi.
vt1
The bolt which despotism has aimed at the
Character and reputation of Charles Fenton Mercer
will fall harmless at his feet. II is not in the
power of malignity-no matter how lofty the
source from which it may emenate-to rob him
Of the laurels which grateful and enlightened
people have bound aronnd his brow. Dearly,
most dearly have they been earned by the sacri-
fec Of health, of fortune, of ease and of most
things which render life desirable. History
has already placed the late act of the Canal
Company by the side Of that, which drove the
illustrious Clinton from the field of his useful
lab7urs. But as the great Henry Clay has said,
Truth is omnipotent and Public Justice certain"
Sol must BE- with Mercer. A generous people
cannot forget the sacrifices, the labors, the de.
yotion, the service of his best days. They will
remember them with gratitude when the unfeel.
ing author Of his defeat, who now sports in the
fantastic tricks" of despotism, shall have ming
led with his mother earth and the vile instruments
Of his passion shall have passed into oblivion Gas
the insects Of summer day"
Cholera in WheeHng.-The Board
of Health of this Town, report 81 new
cases for three days preceding the 3lst
May, of which IA died. On the lst
June 90 new cases, IA deaths. On
the I'd. June Is new cases IA deaths.
On the Bird. June 8 new cases 8 deaths