Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-07-18

form oi her Government This much is
CERTAIN, she has had her despolisn, end
witnessed the violence Of its panic and
the honor Of its catastrophe. II would
be strange conclusion. IL too, with her
own bitter experience. and our example
looking her in the face, after fighting
through the straits Of tyranny. and esiab-
fishing her rights. she should relapse into
base communion with prcfligacy, and
lend her treasures (,borgh limiied) TO the
prodigal profusioos % ambition. But.
of tins, can there exist the least scep-
ticism; argue IL the Patriots of South
America fail, At will be fleeing calsn,i-
,y; and the oldest among Va will live 10
see The effects Of social progressi ,,riding
every obstacle to the attainment Of that
point where independence would repose
and reason be satisfied. Must not this be
the uitimatumi How can IL be aver,ed;
In no way. II Texas could commence
Revolution and defy the s,raitensd. and
now strained resources Of Mexico, she
Is more likely 10 give law TO her. than
ever TO receive her yoke. The Old one
may exer. every nerve. distend' every
vessel, but ii will not all do; repulsed, dis.
concerted. and disgraced, she must fall
back puny aud powerless into the con-
vulsive grasp OF her own miseries.
Let me ask YOU, fellow citizens, VI after
all this, YOU have any scruples Of the
theory OF social Advancement: lam in
duced 10 think you have not. To confirm
this Impression let Us in the sequel return
TO summary consideration OF ouI coun-
hy. Here the proof is final and irrefrsga-
b.e.-it is oil upon the one side. there is
none upon the other. Understand me.
10 not mean 10 disturb the predictions
OF any sect, or the politics OF any creed.
by dwelling on the many sinister events
which have taken place in our country:
let Us rather congratulate ourselves that
our own country is still unpolluied by
The excuses which have marked other
countries by the abuse Of Liberty. |
mean not TO ssy that every passage in
our political history IS precisely such as
might have been wished: there ars
dolb'iess few pages in our annals over
which the Patriot would gladly draw
SeiI. But let us be just TO ourselves, our
greatest alterations have been very We.
NAL when compared with the excuses of
IN the course Of our Affairs have passed off
with no worse results than some intem.
perale language, or than some excessive
measures. a less alloy OF evil than this.
IN system which allows so much la,i.
iu5e 10 individual action. is probably in.
consistent With the imperfections Of our
nature. shall s;udiously avoid these.
as well as many other subjects. speak
OF The social advancement Of our country
~ the abSToct. | refer 10 her condition
"a Colony her league as a Confedcra-
oy-Snd lastly, her maturity as a Repub.
he. Some OF you. perhaps, recollect the
FIRST, all OF you are acquainted with the last
sFada'ion.
1t Is hardly necessary for me 10 remind
you that our Common and Statute
Laws were at one time entirely those of
England, except as 20 some indifferent
local regulations. The piles Of unmean.
lng presidents, ard decisions Of West
minister, overloaded our benches, and
perverted the policy of a self.action in
an enlightened Judiciary. a few wears,
and they have been swept away. I will
venture 10 pronounce the profession con-
senis-the coarse trash has been removed
and the finer materials retained. So. as
10 this particular, the burlhens Of our
courts have been lighiened. and the COM
p.exiiy Of legal earning almost completely
d.sentangled. Undoubtedly, this was an
important point 10 be gained; for the ha
bits OF our citizens demand The most am.
plhed thesis Of their civil and criminal
codes. Again, you mark the coeTcive
springs which operate ia the bands of the
people upon the deliberations Of Congress
at every subsequent session. Is il not
PLAIN that great and abundant changes are.
even now, alternately beating a, The pub.
lie heart! No sooner were the sources
OF justice confirmed. than they set about
TO amplify its waters and TO conduct them
TO the causes OF universal want. Ifthere
are errors IN the system which was new
modelled, that were at first overlooked
but have since become so enormous. that
hey tTequire Correction, Tie remedy il
carefully applied. in the concilialory tone
OF equity, and enforced by the co lest die
ia'es OF more ripeneG and refined iudg.
nent. Here Is seen the practical and con
sis'ent vii; OF a Representative Govern.
ment. working with the happieN aptitude
10 general and substantial benefit. By
the inclusion ef every incipient al Vantage
We could derive by observation or com.
prehend by study. We arc virtually IRE.
psred for an introduction Of the similar
principles. measures aud improvements
longer association may begei. The sound
ness OF this argument has been tested by
me snhfsses Of the people. Whenever
hey have felt the necessity Of complaint
or reform. how suddenly have YOU heard
u echoed within The walls Of The Capitol.
Nor can they ever have servant who
"a The temeriiy Of dcspefado. will dare
TO cast back into their .seth a petition. OF
proposition, or n measure. II YOU please.
to which. with one accord. they have
s'ven their sober sanction. Do they call
Tor naturalization. il must be eesnie1i
DO they cry aloud fer retaliation on a
lofeign government. for the insult and in.
Jury Of a citizen. u must be alien pteJ