Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-05-29

| n lars oil The country nave oeS" oioob"s
by the corrupt and laundering measures
OF the present administration, and the
rapid strides Of the EXECUTIVE towards
despotism founded on the ruins Of the
Constitution and the destruction of public
virtue, should awaken every American to
a sense Of the danger which now threatens
the very existence of our INSTITUTIONS,
and, with them. the liberties Of this whole
people. I'VE are to use the impressive
language Of Mr.. Clay, 'in the midst Of a
revolutions; and unless the timely interfer-
ence Of the people, can arrest its progress
but few years more will suffice to fasten
on US the most grinding and ferocious ty-
ranuy. The shell ola Republican Govern.
ment will not long remain, when its spirit
is no more--Itis time that every friend
| Of the Union-that every friend TO human
liberty and the natural rights of man
should arouse himself Already has tn,
great charter of our freedom been violated
in its most sacred provisions--private pro.
perry sacrificed to an extent unknown in the
history ofany free goyernmenf--ande even
| the personal liberty of the citizen violated
by the unprincipIed peryersion offhe law
TO the base purposes Of personal revenge.
Two long and bloody wars with foreign
foe. have secured us but few years Of
national freedom. when already Congress
and the Judiciary are struggling against the
usurpations Of President land the people
themselves are threatened with universal
ruin by his mad and obstinate disregard of
all the interests Of the nation.
In the calm enjoyment of the good which
well administered government insures,
men are reluctant to trouble themselves
with the dIstracting contests Of political
parties, But in times like these, when
public virtue is undermined by the very
means which destroy all national and in
dividual prosperity, when the principles
of the constitution and the authority ofthe
laws are trampled under foot by executive
usurpation, and the gloomy anticipations
ofprivate ruin seem even less to be feared
than the loss of public liberty, every man
however humble his situation, feels a So
lemn and deep concern in all the measures
Of the government. He watches with keen
interest the conflict between liberty and
despotism. and rejoices or greiyes as the
one or the other partially triumphs. II is
a duty whicaevery American owes to him.
sell and his country to guard with unsleep-
ing vigilance that liberty originally won by
the exertioDs OF his ancestors, and which
can alone be preserved by his own. From
abroad but little is TO be feared-tbe danger
is now at home. The popularity of a sue
cessful soldier, in the hands of an unprin-
clpled and irresponsible cabal; threatens
The subversion Of the holiest principles of
he Constitution. The conflict is now be-
wcen the will of one man and the laws &
institutions OF the Countrywide public |
reasures are in the hands Of the minions |
4 the President; and Kendall and Van
'uren and the politicians Of the New York
chool, are at work to support him in bis
tyranny by the corruption ofthe people,
nd thus to secure to themselves a success
ION to his power. Is it not time that the
alton was aroused? Are not these fearful
lgns of that end, which the enemies of
ur Government have so long predicted
would soon or late come about? There is oft.
n but one step from freedom to despotism. |
Let us in time awake TO sense Of our pe- |
ilous condition. We may yet be safe, if |
aithful to ourselves.
Let the opponents Of the existing ad- |
organize themselves at once
and act together in defence Of the liberty
and safety ofthc country Let them come
forward IN support Of some one individual
by whose elevation to the Presidency. the
nation may rid itself Of men, whose meas.
ures have brought ruin upon the country
and discredit upon the very principles Of
republican government. Let minor con.
siderations not distract them from the great
end all have in view-that of preventing
the continuation of the measures Of the
present administration, by defeating the
election Of the chosen successor of the
President. And as there is but one indi.
vidual sufficiently known 10 the people of
the United States to unite in his behalf
an interest large enough to render his e.
lecuon even probable, let the friends of
the constitution and Of public liberty unite
around him; and secure by his election
the preservation ofthe Union Of the States.
and the peace and prosperity ofthe PEG,
pie. This manis
HENRY CLAY;
a statesman, whose distinguished talent.
have illustrated the history Of his country
an orator whose eloquence has ALWAYS
been heard on the side OF popular rights s..
constitutional libcrty-and patriot of the
most incorporating integrity.
Believing that it is in vain to hope for
auy thing from those who are now in pow
er; and that the nation can alone relieve
itself, by driving from the government
men who have proved themselves as igno-
rant as they are unptincipled. the Coapr-
LER will support the election of Mr.. Clay
with all the ability it can enlist in
cause identified with that of Americana ii.
erty; and the Editor solicits all the aid
which the talents Of others and their indi.
vidual exertions can render him. The mar.
row limits of a prospectus forbid any gen.
eral discussion, and indeed, on the pres.
ent occasion, it is altogether unnecessary.
The only question now is, how the present
can be overtbrown and the
chosen successor ofthe President defeated.
But one method is seen by which that end
can be accomplished. and those who agree
with the Editor will lend him their SUP.