Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-03-12

pendent OF opinion, and to which opiniou
must pay homage. Its glory is purer and
more enduring Than that Of d Thousand
victories. Let not him, who prefers 70,
ms country the renown Of military spirit
and success TO that of justice. talk OF hi:
zeal Tor ITS honor. He does not know The
meaning OF the word. He belongs 10 !
barbarous age, aud desires Cor his country
no higher praise than has been gained by
many savage horde.
The next great element OF a nation,,
honor Is spirit of Philanthropy. A peo.
pie ought to regard itself AS a member a
the human family, and as bound to bear
part 40 The work of human improvement
and happiness. The obligation of benevo.
lence, belonging 10 men as individuals, be.
longs to them IN their associated capaci.
ties. We have indeed no right to form an
association of whatever kind, which sewers
us from the human race. | care NOT.
though men of loose principles scott al The
idea oi nation respecting the claims of
humanity. Duty is eternal. and too hirh
Tor human mockery; aud this duty in par.
ticular, so FAR from being dream, has
been reduced TO practice. Oul own coun.
try. 10 framing It's treaties, proposed TO ia
seft an article prohibiting priyateerine /.
and this 1t did in The spirit OF humanity.
TO diminish the crimes aud miseries Of
war. -Fngland from philanthropy abolish.
Ell the slave trade aud slavery. No nation
stands alone; and each is bound 10 con
secrate It's Influence TO the promotion OF
equitable. pacific and benciicent relations
among all countries, and 10 the diffusion
OF more liberal principles Of intercourse
and national law. This country is entrust.
ed by God with mission for humanity.
lis oiiice IS TO commend TO all nations free
institutions as the sources of public pros
perity and personal dignity, and trust we
desire to earn the thanks and honor of ma,
tons by fidelity 10 our trust. A people,
reckless OF the interests Of the world, and
proillgately selfish in its policy, lncurs far
deeper disgrace, than by submission 10
wrongs; and whenever il is preciptated
INTO war by Its cupidity, lis very victories
become monuments of its guilt, and de.
serve The execfa,ion OF present aud coming
times
now come TO another essential element
oil nations honor, aud that is, the ex
istence Of Institutions which tend and are
designed to elevate all classes Of lis citi
Zens. As 1t is the improved character of
people which alone gives it an honora
Die place IN the world, It's dignity is TO be
measured chiefly by the exient and etfici
ency OF It's provisions aud establishments
for national Improvement. for spreading
education FAR and wide, for purifying NOR
ais and refining manners, for enlightcnlng
The ignorant and succoring the miserable,
for building up intellectual and moral poe
err aud breathing the spirit of true religion
The degree OF aid given to the individual
IN every condition for unfolding his best
powers, determines the rank OF a nation
Were wealth adds nothing 10 a peoples
glory. IL Is the nations soul which con
stitutes its greatness. Nor is il enough for
country TO possess select class of edu.
Gated, cultivated men for the nation con.
sists OF the many not the few and where
The mass are sunk in Ignorance aud sensu
ality, there you see degraded communl
~, even though an aristocracy of science
be lodged in its bosom Ii Is the moral
and intellectual progress of the people, TO
which the patriot should devote himself az
the only dignity and safeguard Of The State
How needed this truth In all ages, ma.
tons have imagined. that they were glo
rifying themselves by triumphng over
foreign Toes, whilst at home they have
been denied every ennobIng institution,
have been trodden under foot by tyranny,
deiranded ofthe most sacred rights OF hu
mainly, enslaved by superstition, buried in
ignorance, and cut off from all the nesns
OF rising 10 the dignity Of men. They
have thought that they were axalting them
selves, ~ fighting for the very despots
who ground them in the dust. Such has
been the common notion OF national honor;
nor is it yet eiiaced. How many among
ourselves are unable to s:iie their zeal for
our honor as people, who never spent a
thought on the institutions and improve
men,s which ennoble community. and
whose character and examples degrade
and faint their country. as far as their in
huence extends.
| have now given you the chief elements
oil national honor; and a people cherish
ing these can hardly be compelled to re-
sort 10 war.