Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-11-24
VOL. xxxvTT---No. 40.

VINO are chlldishly triunlphlng IN ,ho
possession offine houses, fine furniture
and splendid equipages; and with what
pity u he regard those who are
wearing out their lives and energies
10 gain those gildod play.things and
gewgags Of mature age. As Cor him
he treads the imperial carpets with as
much indifference as he does the dusty
pathway; and the grassy bank affords
a o inviting seat than the most lux
urious ottoman or fauteuil.
From my heart, | honor the country.
man, in whatever situation ho may be
found. Look at the WAGNER beside his
team; the manliness oil his gait, the flou.
rish of his whip, tho very wearing of
his hat, shows that he is a freeman.
that feels no superior.
Look at the wealthy farmer-the
man of character and intelligence.
When among his laborers he gives
them the right hand Of fellowship and
converses with them us with fellow,
countrymcn. Conscious of his own
standing and influence, he assumes
no superiority, but admits them TO his
house, and often 10 his table. And, IN
their turn they always regard him with
that Difference and respect which is
due, not TO his estate, but to his mind
and character.
How different is tho man of fortune
IN our cities, whose riches are the re.
suit of life devoted to gain. His work.
men, his clerks, his less wealthy neigh.
bors, are those whose society he most
wishes TO avoid. Fearful lest those
with whom he cannot help associating
IN the way of business, should make
this acquaintance ON opportunity of Wis.
ting him, he wra IS himselfup,in n man.
tie OF self-consequence as the only way
OF preventing personal contact. He
looks at his lofty mansions, his liveried
servants, and thinks all beneath him,
whose means will not enable them 10
live in the same luxury and ostenta-
ton. Having commenced as a pedlar
or u mechanic hetries to Danish il from
his memory and strives moro to keep
this unknown to his children, than he
would do had he been a forger or de.
faulter. He would rather meet an en-
envy than the friend of his father, or of
his own carly days; and his near
s~ightcdness prevents his recognizing
any n who %patronized him in his
former trade. Such are the pitiful shifts
of meanness ofthose whose only claim
TO distinction is their riches and their
gorgeous display.
A country life appears to be as fa>
vorable to the moral healthfulness of
man, as it is to his physical well being +;
and its effects are equally manifested
in the day laborer as in the landed pro-
prictor. 1t is this noble stock Of Ame>
rican freemen that will prevent our be-
coming a puny and degenerate race.
1t is amidst this host that we must look
for that true worship of liberty which
is well nigh extinct in the bosoms of
those who bow at the crowded shrine
of Mammon.
Wherever human beings congregatc
in masses, there will be found the work
ings of human corruption. In the So
cieties of cities, the influence Of evil
will ever be more apparent than that
of good, even if it be not greater, us
some have said. Ii is true, there is
much that is pure and elevated, there
is much that is high and holy, among
the dwellers in cities I; but its effects
are moi sensibly felt beyond its W
immediate circle of action. The still
small voice of religion and reason is
only heard in the hours Of retirement
and reflection. The hurrying crowd
are impelled by their passions--those
impetous leaders, whose clamor over-
powers the claims of truth, integrity,
and Observation-Disclosures