Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1841-03-11

own. u does mol become ~ 70 disparsee
TIE sts:e Gosssnmsnis. nor 70 discourage
them from tnskias prs2<r ax<ls lor ,hsir
ewn relief On lhs confssrs, 4 u our du.
~ 20 cceccF1<c fkcn. 10 Tbs sxtsnt Of
our eons.iiutiops Il 2ushcrity, 10 spply their
best means. aud ehesrfully 10 make all ne-
eesssry sacrifices and submit 10 all nscess
ssry burdens 10 iultii their snzS.emea<s
aad maintain their credit Tor the ehsrse-
les aad cssdit o. he ssssxal Siai1s forla
part OF the character aud credit for the
.wLole eounuy. The resources OF the
fcoonsrJ nre sbsudsnss The enterprise aud
activity Of our people prov.rbisl; and we
may well hope that wise legislation and
|psndsaf Standardization, BY The tespeefiss
Governments. each acting within its own
sphere. will restore forner prosperity.
unpieasant aud even dangerous ~ coli
lislons may sometime, be. between the
constituted authorities or the citizens OF
our cosntry. 10 relation TO The lines which
separate their respective Jurisdictions. the
results can be Of no vital injury 10 our is-
situations, il that ardent patriotism. that
devoted attachment 10 liberty. that spirit
OF moderation and forbearanee for which
oor countrymen were once disiiu guls bed.
cociinus 10 be cherished. IL thu coniin-
ues 10 be the rolling passion Of our souls.
the weaker feelings OF the mistaken en-.
ihosias. will be corrected. the Etopisn
dreams OF tho scheming politician dis
s'paied. and the, complicated antiques Of
the demagogue rendered harmless. The
spirit Of liberty Is the sovereign balm for
every injury which our institutions NAV
receive % the contrary. no care that
can be u>ed in the construction 81 our
Government no division Of powers, no
distribution Of cheeks in its several de-
partments. will prove sifec,ual 10 keep
us free People. il this spirit is suffered
to decay aud decay u will without con-
slant nurture. To the neglect Of this du-
", the best historians agree in aitributing
The ruin OF ell The RepnSlics with whose
exisience and tall their writings have
made us acquainted. The same causes
will ever produce the same effects; and
as long as the love Of power Is q domi.
nant passion Of the human bosom, and as
long as the Understandings Of men can
be warped and their affections changed
by oprra'icn' upon their passions and
prejudices. so long will the Liberty Of q
People depend on their Own constant al.
ientioD TO its preservation. The danger
To ell well-estsbiished free govern meats
arises from the unwillingnesS Of the Peo-
pie TO believe in its existence, OF from the
influence Of designing men. diver,ing
their attention from the quarter whence
IL approaches. % source from which II
can never come. This is the old trick Of
those who would usurp the government
OF their country. la The name OF Democ-
racy they speak. warning the People a.
gsinst the influence Of wealth .ad the
danger Of aristocraey. History, ancient
and modern. is full Of such examples
Cesar became the master Of the Roman
people aud the Senate under the PEE
tencs Of supporting the democratic claims
Of the former against the aristocraey Of
the latter; Cromwell, in Inc character of
protector Of the liberties Of the People,
became The dictator Of England; and Bo-
livar possessed himself Of unlimited DOW
er. with the title Of bis eouniry's Liberia
tor. There is, on the contrary, no single
instance on record OF an extensive and
well-eStablished Fep0blic being changed
into an aristocTaey. The tendencies of
all such Governments in their decline IL
to monarchy; and the antagonist prinei-
pie to liberty there Is the spirit Of faction
"a spirit which assumes the character,
and. 10 times Of great excitement. i'm
poses itself upon the people as The gen.
uine spirit Of freedom, and like the false
ChFis,s whose coming WA foretoId by
the Saviour. seeks 10. and we're il possible
would, impose upon the true aud most
faithful Disciples Of liberty. IL Is in Pc
riods like this that il behooves the People
10 be most watchful II those 10 whom
they have inirusied power. And although
there is AT times much difficulty in dis
tiuguishing the false from the true spirit,
calm and dispassiona,e invesiiRation
uill detect the counterfeit As well by the
character Of iis operations, as the results
that are produced. The true spirit Of H.
berry, although devoted. perssverins, bold
aud Incorporating IN prineiSls, that
secured. is mild and tolerant and serupu-
loUs IS 20 The means Il employs; whilst
the spirit Of party. assuming 10 be that Of
libsTiy, Is harsh. Vindictive, and intols-
rass, end totally reckless ss TO the ebaFse-
ter Of the allies Whieh Il bFin9s 70 The aid
Of its cause. When the genuine spirit Of
liberty animsiss the body Of people to a
thorough examinations OF their sfairs. Il
leads TO the sxeiSion OF every exereseenes
which nay have fastened Itself upon any
OF the Departments Of The Government,
and restores the system 70 its pristine
healih Hnd beauty. But The reign Of an
intolleFant spirit Of party amongst free
people, seldom fails 10 result 10 = danRer-
Gus accession 10 the Executive power in
iFodaced and established anidsl unusuai
professions Of devotion 10 democracy.
The foregoing remarks Telsle exclusive
~ TO matters connected with our domes-
lie concerns. II may be proper. however,
that should give some indications 70 n y
ieilos-eiiizsns 81 my proposed course Of
conduct "a The nsnsgsment four foreign
relations. ! assure them, therefore. THAT
q is my in'ention 20 use every means 10
my povsF 70 preserve the friendly inter
course which nov 70 happily subsiss With