Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-02-02
WHAT h To BECOME OF Tnis
COCNTRYe
py JUDGE STORY.

NJ inns repuOHC 10 oil future tges.-
What vast motives press upon us for
lofty effort. What brilliant prospects
invite our enthusiasm. What solemn
warnings at once demand our vigilance
and moderate our confidence!
The old world has already revealed
10 us in its unsealed books. the begin
ming and end Of all its marvellous .,rug.
giles in the cause Of liberty. Greece !
lovely Greece | the land oil scholars and
the nurse OF arms, where sister repub-
lies. in isir procession. chsnted the
praise Of liberty and the good. where
Is shcI For two thousand years the
oppressors have bound her 20 the earth
Hcs srts arc no more. The last sad
relics Of her temple are but the bar.
racks Of ruthless soldiery: the frss-
ments Of her columns and palaces are
IN the dust, yet beautiful in ruins. She
fell not when the mighty we're upon
her. Her sons were united at Their
mopyla and Marathon, and The tide Of
her triumph rolled back upon the Hell
lespon,. She fell by the hands Of her
own people. The man of Macedonia
did not the work of destruction. II
was already done by her own corrup-
tons. banishments and dissehtions.
Rome !-Republican Romel whose
eagles glanced in the rising sun. here
and what is sheI The eternal city vet
remains proud even in her desola,ion,
noble in decline, venerable in the ma
jesty Of her religion. and calm as the
composure OF death. The mciaria has
bat travelled in the parts won by the
des,royers. More than eighteen cen
turies have mourned over the loss OF
the empire. a mortal disease was
upon her before Cesar had crossed the
Rubicon, and Brutus did not restore
her health by the deep probings Of the
Senate chamber. The Goihs and Van
dals. and Huns. tho s~arms of the
north. completed only wha. was begun
at home. Romans betrayed Rome -
The lesions were bought and sold, but
the people paid the tribute money.
And where are the Republics OF mo.
deTn times hich cluster around i'm
mortal I,aly' Venice and Genoa ex-
lists but in name. The Alps indeed
Look down upon the brave and peace
full Swiss. in their native Businesses; but
the guaranty Of their freedom is their
weakness, and moi their strength. The
mountains are net easily retained
When the invader Comes. he moves
like an avalanche. carry ing destruction
IN his path. The pcasan,ry sink before
him. The country. too. is too poor
for plumber, and too rough for valua-
lie conquest. Nature presents her
eternal barrier on every SIDE, to check
the wan;onness OF ambition And
Switzerland remsins with her simple
institutions, a military road 10 climates
scarcely worth permanent posses
sion. and protected by the Jealousy OF
her ncigh5o-s.
We stand the latest, and If we fall
probably Tho last example Of self GO
yernment by the people. We have
begun II under circumstances Of the
most suspicious nature. We are in
the vignr Of youth. Our growth ha,
never been checked by the oppression
OF tyranny. Our constituents never
have been enteebled by the luxuries
and vices Of the world.
Such as We are, we have been from
the beginning; simple, hardy. intelli-
gent, accustomed to self.goveTnment.
and self.resPeo,. The Atlantic rolls
between Us and = formidable foe
Within our own territory, stretching
through many degrees Of latitude we
hive the choice Of many products.
and many means o. independence
The government IS mild. The press
IS free. Religion is free. knowledge
reaches, or may reach every home
What !sircr prospects Of success could
be presented. What more IS necessary
than for the people to preserve what
they themselves have created
Already has the age caught the spirit
If our institutions. IL has assembled
the Andes, and Snufed the breezes OF
both oceans. II has infused itself INTO
the hfe-blooG Of Europe. and warmed
the sunny plains of France. and the
low lands Of Holland. Il has touched
the philosophy Of Germany and the
North. and moving onward towards
the South. has opened To- Greece the
lesson Of her better days.
Can II be then that America under
such circumstance can betray herself :
That she is 60 be addcd 20 the catalogue
of Republics, the inscription upon
whose ruin. -. they we're. bot they
sre not" Forbid 1t, my country men
Forbid Il heaven.
call upon you. fathers by the
,hsdcs 81 your ancestors. by the dear
ashes Vhich reposo in this precious
soil. by all you hope 20 be resist every
project e disunIon. resist every 81.
tempt 70 letter Your confidence, or
smother cur pubic schools. or exi,n-
guish your system II public insirue-
ton.
call upon yon moiher'. by that
which never fails in woman. the love
81 your ofspring 70 iesoh them - they
climb your knees, % learn on your
bo'ors. the blessings of liberty. Swear
ithcn 81 ihs altar. ~ With their baplis-
nsl vows. 20 be true 10 their country
and never foTsaks her.
ell avor acfs wru.- $50 - -