Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-11-17


eoa Of Mr.. ADAsss Ellosy on Mr MAp,ssx:
This Constitution. my counlrymen
Is the great result Of the North Ameri.
can Revolution. This 10 tho viant
stride IN the improvement Of the condi.
ton Of the human race. eon,umma,ed
IN q psnod Of iess than one bundled
years. OF the signers Of the sddre..
70 George tho Third IN the Con rres, Of
iU4-of the signers Of the Declare
ton OF Independence in l776-of the
signers Of the Articles Of Confedera-
ton IN 1871. and Of the singers of the
Federal and Nstioasl Constitution of
Government under which we live.
with enjoyments never before allotted
10 man, not one remains in the land of
the living. The last survivor of them
oil. was ITO honor whose memory We
are here assembled at once with mourn
ing and with Joy. We reverse The or
DER OF sentiment. and reflection Of the
ancient Persian king-we look back on
the century gone by-we look rround
with anxious aud eager eye for one Of
that iliustrious host Of patriots and he.
roes. under whose guidance the reso-
luton OF American Independence vas
begun. continued and completed. We
look around in vain. To them this
crowded theatre, full OF hu nan life. in
oil its stages Of existence, full OF the
glowing exnitation Of youth, OF The
steady maturity Of manhood, the spark
Ing eyes Of beauty. and the grey hairs
OF reverend age-all this to them Is as
the solitude Of the scpulchre. We think
OF this and say, how short 10 human
lifs' But then, then We turn back our
thoughts again. 10 the scene over which
tde Islling curtain has but now closed
upon the drama Of the day. From the
saddening thought that they are no
more, vs call for comfort upon the
memory Of wha, they were, and our
hearts leap Tor joy, that they were our
fathers. We see them, true and faith
fui subjects Of their sovereign. first
meeting with firm but respectful re-
monstranee the approach Of usurpaiion
upon their rights. We see them. fear
less in their fortitude, and confident in
the righteousness Of their cause, bid de-
rance TO the arm Of power. and declare
themselves independent States. We
see them. waging for seven wears a war
OF desoiation and gi0y. 10 the most un
equal contest with their own unnalu.
raj stePmother. the mistress Of the seas
till under the sign manual Of their king.
their independence was acknowledge
and last and best IF az, We zee them
toliing IN war and in peace 10 form and
Perpetuate union. under forms Of TO-
vernmcnt intrieately but skiIifuly sd.
1usted 90 ~ 10 secure 10 themselves
and their Posterity the priceless bless.
ings Of inseparAble Liberty and Law.
Their days on earth are ended, and
yet their century has not passed away.
Their portion Of the blessings which
they thus labored to secure, they have
enjoyed-snd transmitted 10 uc. their
posterity. We enjoy them as On in.
heritauce-won. not by our toils--wa-
tered. not by our tears-saddened, no,
oy the shedding Of any blood Of ours.
The gift Of heaven through their suffer.
ings end their Achievements--butn not
withouta charge Of correspondent duty
incumbent upon ourselves.
Add what, my friends end fellow.
citizens. what is the duty Of our own :
Is It 10 demonstrate to the addeT's ear
Of king beyond the Atlantic wave.
snd Claim from him the restoration of
violated rightsi No. Il IL to sever
the ties Of kindred and Of blood. with
the people from whom We spranR -
To cast sway the precious name of Bri.
tons and be no more the eounirymen Of
ShakesPears and Milton, Of Newton
and Locke. Of Chsiham and Burke -
Or, moro sud worse, IL Il TO meet their
countrymen ia the deadly conflict Of q
seven year, wHrl No. L. Il the lat
and the greatest Of the duties ful6lled by
them : Il II to lay the foundations Of
the faiTess government and the night
est nation that ever hoaied on The tide
Of timer No. These awful and so
Tenn duties were allotted 10 them: and
by them they were faithfully performed.
What then Is our dutyi
IL il not 70 preserve, 10 cherish. IA
improve the inheritance which they
have len us--won BY their ioils-wa.
tered BY their tears-saddsnsd but fer.
tilted by their bloodl Arc we The
sons Of worthy sires, aud 10 the Onward
march Of time have they achieved IN
the career Of human Improvement so
mach only that our poslerity and theirs
may blush for the contrast between their
unexampled energies and our nerveless
impotence between their more than
HcTculean lsbors and our INDECENT re.
pose No, my fellow.eilizens-far be
from rs; faF DO from you. for he who
nov addresses you has but few short
days before be shall be called 10 ioin
the mullitudes If ages past--far be from
ysu the Fepvoaeh OF the suspicion Of
such = degrading contrast. You too
have the solemn duty to perform. Of
improving the condition Of your soc.
esss, BY improving your own. Not In
che great and strong wind Of rsvolu.
tIon. which rent the mountains end
broke Ia pieces the rocks before the
Lord--foE The Lord Is MOI in the wind