Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-04-23

.~,.t;,n of the political elements which the pres
Ont alarming crisis Of our National Affairs, brought
on BY the folly and wckedncss Of our rulers, every
where stirred into active motion, throughout the
land He though, there never was period, in the
history Of this nation, which required more OF ITS
patriotism and energy, to sustain II, than At this
moment. The mos, sacred principles Of the Con
st;tuton, were openly set at defiance, and dshDe-
rate scheme. seemingly, in contemplation oy our fu-
;ers. 10 convert the Government into an elective
monarchy. They seem 10 have forgotten, that, &C.
cording TO tho true principles of our representative
government they but tho SERVANTS, and the peo-
pie the legitimate masters Of the Country. ihey
are seeking to make ali interests bend 10 their Pr
yate aggrandisemenl-a principles conform to
,.eir own selfish ends. He saw, before him, what
satisfied his mind that all their schemes oil power
we're destined to disappointment and defeat. Iha,
the people we're reused to perception Of their
wickedness, and were moving aitha spirit which
indicated the deep toned energy Of revolution Ills
had taken his stand with the friends Of constitu-
tional Reform-he had done il amidst the bitterest
denuncations Of those, who, under the Pretext
Of sustaining their Party, we're, nov, beirasing
their Country He lad nothing to regret IN his
position. Let his personal fortunes DO what they
might, he would stand by bis Country, and he, this
day, gave the hand Of fellowship to all who were
co.Iaborers with him in tho same glorious cause
And to pledged them to dedicate whatsoever OF
ability he might have, from that day until the con-
test was decided, to rescue his suffering country
from the tolls Of its oppressors.
Mr. RIvEs here. with great beauty and force, ad
verified TO the Log Cabin, from the top Of which,
Mr.. Faulkner had addressed him. lie saw in
that humble structure, type and representation Of
that great interest which now arrayed against
this administration because it was arrayed against
thcm--ho meant the interest of the poor man--the
lsborer, and the yeomen the forest. he could
not bu. regard it as representation, to some ex-
tent, Of the sacred ark Of our Political Covenant
and he trusted that in the course OF seven months
"a happy coincidence j when the angry waters oil
the great deep had subsidized and the dove OF Peace
had announced the restoration oftranqui,y and or
der, that this ark of our Covenant would be found
safely anchored upon the summit OF Mount hrarst'
az Washington loud cheers) He returned his
.hanks, 10 the Wings Of Berkeley, in a most feeling
and happy manner
I'VE present the above imperfect sketch OF Mr..
RIvGs's remarks being still in hopes that more
authentic r nd accurate report will be furnished ]
The Procession then pursued the main street,
and after passing through some OF Tho principal
Streets returned TO the large area, formed by The
Courtyard, and the street in from, Of lIof's Row.
Here an immense crowd were already in attendance,
to hear tho speeches. II is estimated, that the au-
dience consisted Of less than FIVE Thousand per-
sons. The Speakers took their positions upon an
elevated balcony and after the shouts of the multi.
tude, had subsidized, DAVID HorFaAs, Esq, the t
Wing Elector for the city Of Baltimore, commenced |
his harangue. He derided the idea, that in con-
tes, like this, we were to regard ourselves. either
Marylanders or yirginians We ate all citizens Of
one country, and that country row upon the verge
Of ruin from the folly and misconduct OF its rulers
In such, struggle, should recognize no geosra-
phical lines-The country mus, be saved and ii q
could only be saved by the firm, vigorous, united
spoke for an hour and half with great ability and
sffect bringing to his aid, the keenest weapons OF
sarcasm, the Hottest fights of fancy, and the most
conclusive powers of argument. He was listened
to, with tina profoundest atteniion-and interrupt
ed by the repeated bursts of applause.
When he closed, Mr. RIvEs made his appear
ance upon the stand. A deep sensation, visity and
pervaded the immense mass which
gave itself vent, in three aeafenng peas Of accama-
ton. Ii was truly sublime spectacle TO behold
this virtuous and patriotic citizen, appealing in
proper person from the hear,less denuneiat'ons OF
i'll gotten power,-from the madness OF Faction
and the phrenzy of Party, the only true fountain
Of all grca, Political authority, the ProPLE them
selves. In vain could the palmcst days Of Athens
and Of Rome, be referred to, as exhibiting proud
er triumph prosecuted Patriot. Before him,
stood five thousand freemen--snd they the freemen
of his own native and cherished Virghia-Upon
his right and left ranged appropriate banners,
waving in the air, and bearing upon them some
lofty and patriotic principle, to which his life had
been consecrated 1t would be vain and idle, FOR
US to attemp. to give any sketch Of the stirring and
convincing argument which be that day addressed
to his hearers. 1t has been pleasure, to hear
Mr.. RIvEs before, and to have heerd most OF the
distinguished speakers Of the nation; but, never
upon any occasion or before any forum, have we lis
tened TO argument, distinguished by more cogen-
cy Of reasoning-by more profound knowledge OF
constitutional pnncipes-by lofty and high toned
denunciation Of political prohgaoy, and by more
effective appeals to popular feeling, Than marked
his effort that day. For Two hours and a half,
he unclaimed the multitude speaking from
above. When he referred to tie prosecutions and
calumnies with which be had been individually as
sailed, for dscbargipg his duty faithfully to the