Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-09-24
TO TIE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.

ing, heid 81 Staanion, Augusta county, Va, on
ihe 2ilh Of August last.
"The painful truth must be told. LET
the blame fall where il may, that office
holders and office-huatcrs and demagogues
have gained the ascendency in the United
States. and banded together by the same
feelings and objects animated by past
success, and the hope of still greater tri
nmphs, led on by bold, skilful and expe-
rlenced leaders. and disciplined With care,
clrcumspection and perseverance. worthy
Of better cause, are now dispaiing with
the liege men and true. the possession OF
the government. and all that is most valu-
able IN the richest Inheritance on ear,h.--
The household troops and the city guards
march ia front--tbe provincial Swiss con.
s,iuie the centre. and long train ofcamp
colour men. aud hungry expectants bring
up the rear. The flaunting banner of the
mercenaries bears on the one side the in.
scnption, /" The Friends Of the People !.
and on the other. " The spoils Of the van.
pushed belong to the vietors!"
1--WE may judge Of the fate which awaits
the country 10 the event Of its complete
subsection 10 this army Of confederates,
from the system CT tactics by which they
govern themselves, and their vassals from
whom they receive fealiy and service
Perfect. unconditional, aud uncomplaining
submission 10 the rules Of the order is re
qnired by these militant jesuils. and the
least murmur OF dissatisfaction is visited
with the most signal and exemplary pun
ishment. All the duties which a citizen
owes 10 bis country, 10 his kin red, 10 him
self: all official obligation, whether legis.
iative, executive, or judicial: all pride Of
character and independence of sentiment
must be sacrificed, IL necessary, to sub.
serve the all absorbing interests of the
party Dat Of "the party no political
merit is recognized as possible. The long
est course Of faithful public service, She
most spotless purity OF private character,
the most exalted talents and profoundest
learning. combination Of all the qualities
which ennobie man, and command for him
the admiration of grateful posteriiy, would
hvan nothing in competition for the low.
est public employment. with the most liz.
norans and degraded tool Of "the party"
And Is our country 10 be overrun by
such predatory hordes, her elections con.
uolled. her legislative halls and judicial
seats filed. all her high places Of trust and
honor occupied by palace slaves and fawn
ing parasite,9 Is Virginia, once the land
oil accomplished chivalry, and high souled
r--disiinguished alike for her passion.
sionaie love Of liberty, her jealous yigi
lance against the eneroachments of power,
her noble disin,ersstedne.s, and her with
nf al - Z. l.. A
and sotdii is she, the land Of Washing
ton. and Jefferson, and Henry, Of Mar.
shsll, and Monroe, and Madison, and Of A
long list Of worthless whose name, sparkle
on her brow, the jewels OF a queen.like
diadsm: ia she--vanqpished, uespoied
and humbled. with fettered hands and
burning cheeks, 10 follow the ifiumpbal
car Of N ignoble victorp
We know Of no remedy for these fright
iui evils save only reform in public mo
rails aud sentiment Our system was de.
ylsed Tor freemen-upright, Jealous. intel.
ligent. and hardy freemen and if The spi
r't Of Liberty should become extinct. the
provisions Of our constitution and laws.
VIII be OF no more value than the parch
meni on which they are written. All hope
from amendment would be idle. If we
cannot preserve our present barriers; if
they are thrown down or oyerleaped with
IMMUNITY, such must be the fate of every
additional safeguard. We trust that tho
bulk oil the people are yet sound, no weyer
inert and sloihIul but how long they NAV
continue so, under existing circumstances.
we are not prophets and will no, venture
10 predict.
Fellow citizens: A great battle will soon
be fought for the highest political station
which the people have, or thiuk they have
,he power 10 bestow. We do not suppose
II the government were administered ac.
cording TO the spirit Of the constitution.
that ibis exalted prize, however splendid
and aliuring. would ever occasion sny
great hereeness 10 the contest for IL. B1t
the evil direction of late given by selfish
intrlsuers and psItizans 10 the Immense
patronage cOnhded 10 the executive denart.
ment the base subserviency and time ,er.
wing policy Of too many timid aud corrupt
representatives IN the halls OF legislation.
the reeklessness, mendseiiy and pro,titu
ZION oil great portion Of the public press.
all contribute 10 dsrken the horizon with
N~f~'ffr VI a fdtAONr ttflDtM. III
'ae oiilee holders and spells party were
content that their favorite, in the event Al
his election, shousi canlne himself within
Tue legitimate range Of his department. IN
stead OF grasping the whole powers of The
government. we would not be disposed 10
regard the fate Of the country as Involved
IN The issue Of the contest. But we enter
tam the most serious spprehensions that II
victory should perch upon their banners.
fatal blow will be given 10 The cause Of
constitutional freedom.
IL becomes US, fellow citizens. Al mi.
great crisis, TO act with energy. di.er,,;an
ana concert; 10 cast aside an mia. :,
opinion all individual preferences All
an party prejudices Let US encoursge =
sspint OF mutual concession and rans,,,,
uon. Let US summon 10 the con ,titn,iao
o. standard, honest men OF ali par,is, H.,
US select sentinels for the watch ,o,.s.