Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-10-06
For The Gazette.
SPIRIT OF THE TIMEs.-No. |.
"Thc tanning finger point Of scorn
At rice and folly, foots and knaces;
Unjust bo done, OF zoe be Slaves"

boosted freedom and greatness, some
indications, that, to the minds ofthose,
who have observed the temperature
and character of parties, who have ira
ced their progress and become intimate
with those causes and operations, which,,
whenever acting, produce their fixed
and invariable results, should arouse
the attention of all who wish for the
perpetuation of our institutions. Il is
with masses Of men as with individuals,
that the lapscs into vice arc SO gradu-
al as seldom to command consideration
until recalling to mind days of former
purity and virtue, their present wretch
ed condition seems as wonderful, as
before it was deemed impossible. 1t is
to be feared, that, as degenerate even
as these days are, a people cannot be
brought to realize the probability of
the loss of their liberties, who notori-
ously boast and pride themselves upon
their safe, prosperous, and happy con-
dition. This is one of the decisions of
the times. These decisions should be
calmly and respectfully combatted.
One of the most dangerous of the
symptoms, that indicate a deadly dis.
ease, that may blast the beauty of this
fair land, is the existence of a species
of the most degrading servihiy-an il
l~ustration Of which, we now particu-
larly refer to, in the almost entire alb.
sence oflreedom ofthought and speech,
and independence of spirit, in those
who do the biddings Of our Partisan
President. Mr.. Webster, in a speech,
delivered, during the last winter, in
Congress, uttered this sentiment alt
is in this career of personal confidence,
along this beaten track ofman- WorShip,
marked, every furlong, by the frag-
ments Of other free governments, that
our own system is making progress to
its close" He further remarks, &" If
there be any philosophy in history, if
human blood still runs in human veins,
if man still conforms to the identity of
his nature, the Institutions, which Sc.
cure constitutional liberty, can never
stand long against this excessive per-
sonal confidence, against this devotion
TO men-in utter disregard both of
principle and experience, which seems
to me to be strongly characteristic of
the times" Yes, this is n character
istic of the times-not a manly adora.
ton Of great intellectual and moral
worth, not that tribute due TO enlight-
ened patriotism and important civil
services, but a weak and servile wor-
ship of a man, who, whether VIC con.
slider mental power or virtue, whether
we consider the uprightness and wis.
dom, with which the affairs of this 60
vcrnment ought to be administered, or
the dignity, with which its highest Of
fees should be filled, will be found so
inferior, so unequal to the Importance
of the station, as to cause a blush of
anger and modification to mantle the
check, when we reflect, how low, how
ablect we are, how scoffcd at and ridi-
culcd this people must be by ~enlighten-
ed men all over the world.
Such an one as This man was select.
cd from among hundreds ofstatesmen,
of men of high mental abilities, to pre-.
side over the Councils Of our Republic.
Recommending himself by the ecLat
gained as a victor in battle, by his vul.
gar popular notions, and, perhaps, by
the very deficiency Of his mental and
gentl.manly attainments, q misguided
people were induced to place him in his
present high station. During the adj
ministration of this officer, he has suf.
fered and aided in introducing u sys.
tenn of party tactics INTO all the BRAN
ches of the Government, which, by the
untiring zeal of ohice.holders and Of
flee expectants, {making it their inter.
est to be Jealous, by extensive money
operations and disbursements, by the
falsest representations on the part of
the leaders ofthe faction. by hattering
the vanity of the people and obsequi-
ously clamoring their praises, has en-
abled him to sustain himself in power
with IA degree of popularity, unequal.
in the history ofthe country. His sup
porters, unfit TO determine what is right
in the principles Of government, or in
its administration, approve his views
and his acts without examination or re.
serve. Their prejudices led them, at
first, to the choice Of him as their man,
and still blinded by them, they unhesi-
tatingly receive as true all that speaks
his praise, and reject all that bears up.