Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-03-16

lmpracticability, there will always be reason
10 oistrust the patriotism of those who. in
any quarter. may endeavour to weaken il.
ooHos' ane he has cautioned US, in stronges,
terms, against the formation Of parties, on
!; ee"s'dPnicai determinations, as cna of the
means winch might disturb our union, and
to which designing men would be likely &c
resort.
The lessons in this invaluable legacy o.
cherished in the heart of every citizen to tht
latest GET ssation and, perhaps, Of no period
OF time could they be more usefuIly remem.
cered than at the present moment For
when we look upon the scenes that are pas.
sing arsund Us. and dwell upon the pages OF
ms parting address, his palernal counsels
would seem TO be not merely the offspring OF
wisdom and foresight, but the voice of pro-
phecy foretelling events and warning us of
the evil TO come. Forty years have passed
since this imperishab1e document was given
10 his countrymen. The Federal constitu-
ion was then regarded by him as an expert
ment, and he SO speaks OF il in his address !;
out an experiment upon the success of which
Inc hest hopes of his country depended, and
we all Know that he was prepared 10 lay
uo ' niS me- II necessary, 10 secure 10 it
| full and fair trial. The tria! has been
est hopes of those who framed it, Every
quarter of This widely extended nation has
ieit ITS blessings, and shared in the general
prosperity produced by its adoption. But q.
Inid this general prosperity and splendid sue
cess, the dangers of which he warned us are
becoming every day more evident, ard the
signs OF evil are sufficiently apparent 10 a.
waken the deepest anxiety in the bosom of
the patriot. We behold systematic efforts
publicly made TO sow the seeds Of discord be-
tween different parts Of the United States,
and to place party divisions directly upon
geographical distinctions; TO excite the south
against the north, and the north against the
south, and TO force into the controversy the
most delicate and exciting topics topics
upon which II is impossible that large por-
ton of the Union can ever speak without
strong emotion. Appeals, tco, are constant
made TO sectional interests, in order TO in
iluence The election of the Chief Magistrate,
as 1t II we're desired that he Should favor
particular quarter Of the country, instead Of
fulfilling the duties of his station with i'm
partial justice TO all and the possible disso-
luton OF the Union has at length become an
| ordinary and familiar subject of discussion
Has the warning voice Of Washington been
forgotten! or have designs already been
formed 10 sever the Union? Let il not be
supposed that impute TO all those who have
taken an active part in these unwise and un-
profitable discussions, want OF patriotism
or Of public virtue. The honorable feeling
OF Stale pride, and local attachments, find a
| place in the bosoms of the most enlightened
and pure. But while such men are con.
scIous OF their own Integrity and honesty of
purpose, they ought never to forget that the
citizens Of other States are their political
brethren; and that, however mistaken they
may be in their views, tic great body of
them are equally honest and upright with
themselves. Mutual suspicious and re-
proaches may in time create mutual hostility,
and artful and designing men will always be
found, who are ready 10 foment these fatal
divisions, and to inflame The natural Jealous
les OF different sections OF the country. The
history OF the world is full of such examples,
and especially the history of republics
| What have you TO gain by division and
dIssension? Delude not yourselves with the
bslief that a breach once made may he after
wards repaired II The Union is once sever.
ed, the line Of separation will grow wider
and wider, and the controversies which are
now debated and settled in the halls of legis-
latlon, will then be tried in fields of battle,
and determined by the sword Neither
should you deceive yourselves with the hope,
that the first line of separation would be The
permanent one, and that nothing but harmo-
ny and concord would be found in the new
associations formed upon the dissolution of
this Union. Local interests would still be
lound there, and unchastened ambition. And
II The recollection OF common dangers, in
which the people Of these United States stood
side by side against the common foe the
memory of victories won by their united va
Tor; the prosperity and happiness they have
enjoyed under the present constitution; the
proud name they bear as citizens of this great
republic {: il all these recollectioas and proofs
OF common interest are not strong enough TO
bind us together as snc people, what lie will
hold united the new divisions of empire,
when these bonds have been broken and this
Union discovered? The first line Of separa
ton would not las! Tor single generation :;
new fragments would be torn off; new lead !
ers would spring up; and this great and glo
rious republic would soon he broken into a
multitude OF petty States, without commerce,
without credit jealous of one another; arm
ed Tor mutual aggression loaded with taxes
10 Jay armies and leaders; seeking aid a.
galnst each other from foreign powers; in
suited and trampled upon by the nations oil
Europe, until harassed with conflicts, and
humbled and debased in spirit, they would
he ready 10 submit TO the absolute dominion
OF any military adventurer, and 10 surrender
their liberty for the sake Of repose IL is
impossible TO look on the consequences that
would inevitably follow the destruction o.
this government, and not feel indignan,
when we hear cold calculations about the
value Of the Union, and have so constantly
before us line OF conduct SO we'll calcujatee
| TO weaken lis tieS