Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-05-03
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Is WHAT WE HAVE SEEN.n


Mr.. Peyton of Tennessee, on his re.
turn home through North Carolina,
was tendered dinner by the citizens
of Granville county, which he accep-
ted. His reply to the letter of invita-.
ton is one ofth best things ofthe day.
We make large extract from it, con-
fdent that we cap present our readers
nothing more acceptable, or more preg-
nant with important truth:
"I am proud to be thus hailed at
your ancient Borough, by that unadul-
terated spirit which fired the bosoms of
a noble ancestry, and which burned
and spread, consuming every vestlge OF
Tyranny, and extripating the very
roots and germs of serviity and base
submission to lawless power. inn
plore you, as you venerate your slres,
as you estimate your own liberties and
the freedom Of your children, to cher
ish, those hallowed feelings--to revert
often to this Nations birth day, and
remember the spirit of divinity which
then moved over the people. Compare
it with the sickening corruptions, the
high handed, startling usurpations of
this degenerate day; ask yourselves,
solemnIy and soberly, if there is not
much cause---not for despair nor des-
pondency-we should never despair of
the Republic, Sc long as there remains
one fragment oil the wreck, upon which
to build our hopas---but for that united
acton, that ete.nal vigilance, amongst
all who 1--we their country more than
the spoils of its Offices, which is the
price Of safety and of liberty. Look
around--survey the scene! What an
iron tyranny the country had just pas
ed underl Corruption is to perpetu-
ate what Tyranny createdl How
came Martin Van Buren, Chief Mogis-
trate of the Nation? Andrew jack.
son said let him be President. How
is this creature of another's will to
maintain his authority? By the pat
ronage OF the Federal Government;
with the millions which are wrung
from the hard earnings of the people,
will he pay his legions, perpetuate his
sway, and appoint his successor, if the
American people continue dead TO their
dearest interests. Patrick Henry, in
the inspiration Of his eloquence, did not
conceive of those rapid strides towards
Monarchy, which have witnessed IN
the last two years Of my brief public
life. have seen party to which |
once helonged--a President, once
supported, and upon whom was placed
my proudest hopes Of all that was pure
and patriotic, falsify the brightest ex-
pectations OF friends, verify the worst
predictions ofenemies, and violate pied.
ges solemnly given to the country. ]
have seen party, one of whose cardl-
nal maxims was, "that the patronage
ofthe FEDERAL Government should not
be brought in conflict with the freedom
of Elections" acquiesce in, and claim
for the President, the right to appoint
his successor. ! have seen an Admin
stration which came into power upon
the principles Of reform, economy, and
strict accountability Of Public Officers,
increase the expenditures from fifteen
TO thirty.two millions--loster corrup-
ton in every department of the Gov.
eminent, and for long time refuse IN
quiry into alledged abuses, and at last,
attempted to stiae it, by the appoint
ment Of Committees composed OF SIX TO
three against the investigation. have
seen the President Of the U. States re-
buke the House of Representatives for
daring to constitute such Committee oil
Inouirv into Executive abuses, and the
doors of the Executive Departments
boIted and barred against select COM
mittee ofthe House of Representatives
while an Executive order was issued,
directing that obnoxious members OF
Congress should be made to swear to
their speeches, delivered on the floor,
under the Executive denupciaiIon OF
being caIumniators lfthey did not, ana |
of perpetrating perjury if they Qua
swear to the truth ofthe charges whicn
thew had made. This have seen and
felt. for have been forced to submit
to this engine ofExecutive torture, and
sealed nv belief with an oath, for which