Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-07-18
GRAFTON,
1s5ayf.s G@iepo sS6Cersip,, Ca.

go ~
FELLOW. CrTIz Ss:-Convinced Of nv
lnabIlhy 10 do justice To your wishes,
nothing but confidence that the same
generous spirit which dictated your cour
tesy. would continue tosttend me through.
out this occasion, could have induced or
justified my acceptance OF the honor you
have conferred. Believe me, II is an ho-
nor l shall Always appreciate with the
most friendly recollections and when
see before me so much Of the intelligence
and beauty Of this Village. etnbellisbed
as II -. with the Te6nements of taste and
erudiiion. ! willingly throw myself on
your libeTalily aud benevolcnce.
II has been the custom OF other Nations
10 inmortalize their achievements BY
consecra'ing them 10 public observance.
On recurring 10 history, you will it'd the
two most splendid Republics that ever
adorned lis page. preserved their charAc-
ter as long they had wilma enough LEI,
To celebrate its event, The enjoyment
and the CONNIE ms Grafton have uniformly
sunk together in one common grave
That rational enthusiasm which gives birth
To- Independence. must, necessarily. con-
iinuc to suPcrinduce life and permanency.
or else II will degenerate into worthless
name. Nor is there any thing more in.
spring to It's principles. than fixed aud
annual return TO the remembrance Of it's
era. la this way, the mind Is more se-
riously fraugLt with the traits Of grandeur,
the Imagination Is lighted up by the sub
lime picture Of Revolution +; il wanders
fhrnn.,h 90. a.. a.
by which il is disiin suished Virtue il
seen struggling with Vice and from Ma
iional Heroism there Is an easy transition
10 the more precisely delincaied portraits
OF personal greatness. Facts are deduoed
from these combined images. 10 which the
judgment Yields and by which life may
be regulated. In short. there is a pecu-
lisriiy OF effect 10 which we can only ap.
peal from experience for We may learn
10 turn from our bsek.slIdings at home
like this. when the conscience il awaken
ed into grateful sense OF nationality, 10
the scenes Of holy War, and the wide
desuliory shados Of political variation.
that, since that epoch. have successiyely
taken place Of each other IN the history Of
our country.
Nor a, this moment will The mind pause
entirely upon the retrospect. Forever
on the wing Of pertinent aud rcsea arches
il will take its way into futuriIy aud
I among tho concealed depths OF causes
aud effects, cndc rours 10 penetrate into
the succeeding history Of our country -
The chapter on which is inscribed tho
RloTies Of our ancestry IS not suhi cient Tor
'he vast exploring eye Of the Patriot 10
dwell upon ia content and admiration.
To make It truly dear 90 his heart, and
lovely 90 lis fancy, he dust Increasingly
initiate. Tor II u not possible 20 transcend
~ excellence. lie must Of once siiiyc
20 follow The good nnd great examples Of
his iorciathets. and deserve at some DIS.
taDt day the appellai.9n Of an equal, BY
| protecting their household Gods.
70 speak ia Tie rigorous language al
truth. EXCEPT the Republic Of Tsna,
which has lately rprsng into existence. 5
ours - now the only distinct mode Of a
perfectly rational equality IN Govern.
meat. u has noi been Osing however o.
Z any fault Of ihe human Riud. The fears
anI nece stiles u men on Which we ore
t1li ere bliii The s.iileri foundations Of
I I.f' .fH.tNHf If NNAIaNHIN Nf co
/ verified cato thr potent means 0f their sub.
sersisLcy o. tAo mOfo powerful ia uhe
primitive ages oi creation, Liberty vas a.
/ easy SOD AZ ainosi uninterrupted p0stcr.
I sian under = Pduiafchisl Dominion -
/ There Eefe nol9csl 90 caaiagious comrTes.
sibns of society individual suth8Tily grew
/ up rather a. a matter q plterusi inbefi-
iance, Than o. . coEqufsd condition, o.
10 ihe least a. an accident Of poser
I AnI although q has ever been d0minecF.
/ ing IN be sway. even in Ell time,
have sppsared some fsiat viimmefinxs 81
The spirit u Liberty" Ksvenhsiess.
esteem u q correct position. aud one
shall aitsmpt 20 vindicata Ia this Addrss.
before you, that gradual social proxfes
sion YES essential 10 The productions % 1
Just sDd liberal Constitution Of Govern.
msnt. Aad ] assume q. as eqaally true
the eoassqusnces eaanot - obvisisd.-
The sympioms 81 this orderly impfogs
meat have bsea 81 vsgisbls a. vioisot
Rsgoloiion hes secamuiefsd on neyolu
tioa. BOT as ofiea tsrminsisd - The gash
ness n Assfehy. o. the disappointueat
- -. "A