Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1843-07-13
GRAFTON.

OhA
Friends and FeiLow- citizenS:-
The sixty seventh year of our indepen-
dent existence as nation has been number
ed. We are again met together on the great
American Sabbath to interchange the ieel-
ings of men in love with liberty and full
OF the memories of those past times when
it was most heIoicaly achieved. II is
proper that we should assemble in the
House OF God TO accomplish the higher
duties OF this day; there should be much
OF pious gratitude in our minds, and much
of christian dependence and OF the spirit
of prayer-of gratitude for the divine aid
in the past and of PRAYER for the coniinu-
ance OF that aid in the obscure and peril
Gus ways of the future. 1t was under the
suspicious eye of the God Of Battles that
we ,riumphtd in the war OF independence;
the God OF Nations has led us by the hand
to this hour; and it is surely upon the
same great Deity, before any earthly de-
pendence, that we must place the bunhen
of those hopes which animate us, Of future
advancement, and safety, aud honour
This day is full OF noble duties. Not
the least among them is to put away all
spirit OF resentment toward that great coun
try from which the sacred Declaration Of
independence proclaimed our separation.
The time Tor hostile feeling is passed. II
may return, but as vet il has not returned.
We should remember that the people of
England were our brothers before they
were our enemies. We should remember
that the language of her Poets and HIsto-
rians is the language OF our own hearihs--
tina, the words in which they have uttered
their wisdom are our household words -
We should remember that her ancient wor-
thies were our anceStors--that their glory
is ours--ihat until thi, day in 10 we were
Engishmcn-noi by conquest bu,by blood
and affection. We were once one and the
same river, flowing on without any dissen-
sion of wave against wave; agreat natural
cause has now severed the mighty river in
to two streams aud thrown these so widely
and so wildly spar' as to prevent all re-
union, and each di-tinct current goes on
its distinct path, each, thank God flowing
gloriousIy, aud bealing the choicest hopes
of the world on It's bosom; but let it never
be forgotten that the two rivers were once
but one-that their old gloryis joint--thai
their sources are to be found IN the same
fountain. A thousand floating things on
our strong current give token OF the old
undivided stream; and IN the solemn
sounds of the now abundant waters are
frequent tones recalling even the melo-
dies of the far off, common, fountain IN
the ancient forests.
Remembering our common origin, our
union of blood, our identity in tongue, our
family resemblance in all qualities OF
mind and heart, it would not seem hard to
overlook an oppression which we honora-
bly, avenged and which was the origin Of
our present happiness and prosperity as
people, and 10 feel toward Englishmen
as toward brothers with whom we have
been at variance, but with whom We are
now happily reconciied.
Our colonial ancestors, as they sat by
their hearth-sides were accustomed 10
speak Of England as Home" we have
forgotten that afectionate term, but we
should cherish that kindly feeling which
prompted it. We should rejoice, and not
regret, to see the extension OF the English
5ominion. We are above all fear oil any
successful encroachment upon ourselves,
and above all envy; and It Is 10 our brothers
,ha, Africa. Asia, and the Islands OF all
oceans are yielding up their Wild beauty
and wealth. For my part, ! warmly hope
that, SO long as her honour as not our dis