Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-12-12

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,urstsnces in the condition of the coun
try, under which you re.assemble for the
performance Of your official duties. Tho
the antcipations of an abundant harves
hive not every where been realized, yet
ON the whole, the labors of the husband
man are rewarded with a bountful returni
industry prospers in its various channels
of business and enterprise ; general health
again prevails through our vast diversity
ofclimate nothing threatens, from abroad
the continuance Of external peace; nor
has anything at home impaired the
strength Of those fraternal and domestic
ties which constitute The only guaranty to
the success and permanently OF our happy
Union. and which, formed in the hour oi
peril, have hitherto been honorably sus-
mined through every vicissitude IN our ma
,;onal affairs. These blessings, which
evince the care and benifcence of Provl-
depce, call for our devout and fervent gra-
.itude.
We have not less reason to be grateful
,or other bounties bestowed by the same
muniicent hand, and more exclusively
our own. :,
The present year closes the first hall
century Of our Federal institutions and
our system-diffenng from all others in
the acknowledged, practical, and unlImi-
ted operation which it has for so long Pc
Rod giyen to the sovereignty of the peo-
nle-has now been fully tested by expert
ence.
The Constitution devised by our fore.
Gathers as the frame work and bond of that
system, then untried, has become set
tied form of Government ; not only pre-
serving and protecting the great principles
unon which it was founded, but wonderful
" promoting individual happiness and prl-
yate interests. Though subject to change
and entire revocation, whenever deemed
inadequate to all these purposes. yet SUCH
i, the wisdom of its construction, and so
stable has been the public sentiment, that
| I, remains unaltered, except IN matters oil
detail, comparatively unlmportant. 1t has
proved amply sufficient for the various
. emergencies incident to our condition as
nation. A formidable foreign war; agi-
a,ipg collisions between domestic and, IN
some respects rival sovereigntles, tempta-
tons to interfere in the intestine commo-
lions of neighboring countries; the dan
perous influences that arise in PERIODS OF
excessive prosperity and the antl-repub'
Mean tendencies Of associated wealth.
These. with other trials not less formidable
ave beeu encountered, and thus far sue
cesslully resisted.
II was reserved for the American Union
Io test the advantages of Government
Ieo,irely dependant on the continual exer'
else of the popular will and our experi.
lspce has shown that it is as beneficial IN
lpractice as it is Just in theory. Each sue
Jross;ve change maze in our local InstItu-
lions has contributed to extend the right
4 suffrage, has increased the direct 'niiu-
lpuce of the mass OF the community, given
El,rea,er freedom to individual exertion, and
RESTRICTED. more and more, the powers OF
JGoyernmcnt; yet the intelligence, pru-
Hence, and patriotism of the people nave
lent pace with this augmented responsible
I'M. In no country has education been SO
|sidely diffused. Domestic peace has no.
Ishere so largely reigned. Ihe close
bonds of social intercourse have IN no IN
Isance nreyailed with such harmony over
sn,ce so vast. All forms of religion
nave united, for the first time, to difiuse
Ibarity and piety, because, for the hrsi
mo in the history of nations, all have
psn totally untrammeled, and absolutely
ice. The deepest recesses ofthe w'ioer,
less have been penetrated; YET instead
rudeness in the social condition conse-
anon, unon such adventures elsewhere,
numerous communities have sprung up,
already unrivalled in prosperity, general
ln,elligence, internal tranquility, ana the
Isisdom of their political institutions. In,
lernal ;mproyement, the fruit of individual
Ia,erprise, fostered by the pro'ec''oh Oh
HE States, has added new inks 10 inc con.
federation, and fresh rewards to Provlden'
Iadustry. Doubtful questions OF domestic
olicy have been quietly settled by mutu-
forbearance and agriculture, COM
Iaerce, and manufactures, minister 10 eacii
Igher. Taxation and public debt tne
burdens which bear SO heavily upon all
aher countries, have pressed WIN co'nPa.
ative lightness upon US. W'inou. Que
Im,anglinr alliance, our friendship IS pri,
ted by every nation and the rights o.
bur citizens are every where respected
because they are known to be guarded oy
hunted, sensitive, and watchful people
To this practical operation OF our lns''
|4tions, so evident and successful we owe owe
lAat increased attachment TO them winch
kamong the most cheering exhibitions OF
Popular sentiment, and will prove tne'r
YES, security, in time to come' ae"'"''
Foreign or domestic assault.
4 This review Of the results OF our ihs'i'
MMtions Co. no ccntury without eACl-