Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-01-24
AID DIR ESS.

ADDRESS.
FSfio,e- C.it;tns and Brsthrsa
! In conformsnoe with your united wishes
! have riser Tor the purpose o! making
lew remarks IN relation TO the Society of
which we are members. and il possible 10
redeem II from many very grave, though
iaise aud unjust charges, alleged araio,,
II. And at the same time, bv the kind
indulgence OF this enlightened audience
] Will endeavour to expalia,e briefly upoo
the principles by which We profess TO be
governed, and the relative duties We are
morally bound as members Of the indie
pendent oMac-ivor Clan 10 exercise 10.
wards each other. Which, together with
our utility. shall constitute the different
propositions 10 which | would most t.-
specially invite your kino attention and
submit To your deliberate consideration.
Brethren, allow me before entering
upon the discussion OF the dilIeren, points
noticed, 10 congratulate YOU upon the
present condition and future prospects of
our Association. Although an increase
oil numbers Is not at present a source of
cohsratuiation, yet there are others OF a
more important character, which should
Today cause the heart OF every men. Der
to expand IA grateful alteration to HIM
mat hoIdetb IN his hands the destioies of
each and all Of US, and no, us only. but
oi the whole human race When / cas-,
my eyes, Brethren. upon each familiar
lace, and suffer nv mind 10 take a re,ro.
sPeciive flight to The time of our orgsni.
zation at Harpers- Ferry, and consider
that we are called TO celebrate our second
| m Is
pleasing Character. that Of our little band
Oh nro'hers. though some have given us
the parting hand. and have gone 20 seek
IN the terrible valleys Of the West home
more conSenial TO their wishes. but that
none have been called through the provi.
dence OF an All Wise God TO sink beneath
The Paralizing hand OF death. and 90 TO
that bourne fIop whence no traveller
returns And Today. Brethren, let us
renew our VOWS TO Almighty God, and in
deep sincerity Of heart. and fervency Of
mind return our unfeigned thanks for
The protecting care. and solicit con,inu-
alton OF those blessings so essentially re-
quis'te TO our future happiness, prospe ri
~ and ultimate usefulness.
With these preliminary remarks. I will
proceed TO the consideration OF my first
proposition, ia reference 10 allegations
made against us. destitute OF foundation
or truth. Like other Societies of similar
character. we have been prosecuted upon
The ground Of SECRECY. Let us examine
ihis charge few moments, and see II
there Is any just grounds upon which its
advocates can predicate an argument
This is land Of Liberty. From the
snow-cspped mountains TO the fertile val
leys the sun Of liberty diduses its benign
and cheering rays, which causes the he art
OF The peasant To- commingle with those
IN power. and exclaim-"Ali hail Colum.
bra, land of the brave aud free 80 Thy
institutions are IN accordance with that
sacred Charter Of your Liberties, framed
by those who combined with the wisdom
oi Ssges, the virtues Of Statesmen. and
the Philosophic energies Of minds intent
upon emancipation. not only from Colo
NAL obligations. or corporesi slavery. but
mentsiiyranny. and religious intolerance.
by expressly declaring in words that
shook Europe with amazement. and filled
the whole world With the most profound
astonishment-"Tbat all men are created
equal. snc endowed by nature with GER
tam una''ensb'e rights. among which are
LIE liberty, and the pursui, ofhappiness. :"
Congregaiing IN those three every bless
Ing requisite 90 the enjoyment Of our po-
l'iIcal liberty, and religious opinions
our Society comes more specially under
the latter a0nunciaiion. viz: the pursuit
OF happiness. This is more or less an OBJ
-ject Of every child 81 Adam-,he consti.
tuition OF men being so various. inclina.
ton leads them To seek happiness in the
pursuit Of different professions. We have
united as a band Of Brothers and con.
ceise that 10 the mutual assistance and
edihcalion OF each other. we can condace
10 the happiness Of all, by the ineule alton
OF PfecePis drawn from the philosophy Of
nature, and causing the gloom OF igno.
rance 10 Zee before the eTulgent beams
Of intellectual education drawn from the
resplendent sun Of genius. bv dissemina-
ting The principles Of "Fnsndship. Moral-
ity. Virtue snd Charity" And We have
thought u expedient Tor purposes Of .
truly iaudable character, 10 keep our pfo.
eeedings private, or open only 10 The sin.
cere inquirer after Tfuth--but some Wbose
curiosity has led them to pry into our
rights and ceremonies, bot unwilling 90
pay The small pitisnce demanded for the
purpose Of supply ing the wants 81 the So
eieiy. and finding that they could no,
steal into The fold have ~ then fertile
imagina'ions conJured up something b..
dcous N the word secret and 81 the
royce - apt 10 disirusi every honest msn
and ihiok him upon an equalty Wi,h him.
self.tbese individuals cry oui. IN the bitter.
ness Of disappointed eunosly. that Cul
deeds are esH and oanaOi bear The light
inierrinR that because their hearts Nhes
the door Of the world is shut upoa then
ean without computation Of soul prompN
tho commission Of evil acts. that we sith.
ihemseives leave our corrupt indignation,
unbfidled. s0d in secret commit deed
which cannot bear the light 81 investiea