Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1844-12-23
FOR THE yIRGINIAN

l!ossrs. Ediio3-That the triumph Of such a man as
James X. Polk, sustained as he was by party com.
posed of the must taco9an and conflicting clements o.
the accomplished statesman Of tie nge, was
most pecied and unlocked for, candid man II any
party VIII deny. II was event which has vlbrslea
like an electric shock throughout every pjron ofihis
widespread eontedeacy, blasting the hopes Of the pat
not, aud resting like fearful incubus upon the industrial
energies I" lhe nation. II is indeed a anentabIe trn IN
that III this lovely land of liberty and virtue poli,ical
intrigue and jnpelery vtuperation and calumny-and
mad and unald~ed ambition, upheld and sustained by
reckless aud llcenuus press, have tump hed over in
fnsc worth and merit, and that we add another
TO tho melancholy examples of the ngraude of repub
lies. for the mnsi eminent and mcriinruu. services
But shall we therefore fold our IN ing oons apathy
and quietly await the issue. be il for good or for eyil?
Does no every impulse OF patriotism urge us; whilst we
bow in submission To the Of The people however
obtained, press forward with unahaed zeal in defence
of the great and glorious principles which have come
down to us with the venerable sanction Of The fathers of
The Republic. and which this moment unite in their
support million and half OF natire born american
Jreemen- animated by common object and iinpel-
led by the same great moves-the welfare and happi-
NESS oithe whole counry7 Where is the Wing who
will heStste Who will prove recrcant to the glorious
cause IN this hanr Of perll Can there be found Whir
who will faer faint by the way or wavcr in his zeal
Gus devotion to which is surely destined To
fnn and giorlons triumph, the great principles
Of civil bery2
That tie gathering and growing corruption of the
/ %
reach the urmust round and scrupe not n, the mad and
unhoy means they would effect H. are well cal.
culaod to banch the cheek Of the sternest patriot with
apprehension and alarm, cannot be denied But shall
We therefore despair Of the Republic2 No sirs-we
know that the great mass of the American freemen
however they may be nsed and deluded for the mo-
lncnt, are lmnes and parollc-and if we remain tine to
lberyto the great principles we advocatr-and true
10 ourselves, must in defiance Of pernclous absrac
ions and deadly specuIatons ultimately and ploosly
iiouul lark MD and, :,
the horZ'n and loud and angry muerngs flreoken the
gathering ien'pcs-~lat though our stately vessel Of
unl"n, which has breasted many storms and weahered
many gales, is again cast upon the breakers-what
though the fair fabric cemented by the hes, biood Of
common and glorious ancestry, IS threatened with the
most teafhl iralswhere is The patriot who doubts that
there is redeeming energy in the hearts OF The people
who know The yane Of Federal union, and whose
"warm and pinus afi, uliohs will cling to il as to their
only hope Of prosperity and happiness? y
II is true That we are IN The midst Of momenious
crss-tha the fearful cape has 10 bo doubled whose
head~ands opposing tempesls meet; but h hearts
and skilled bands the good ship will ride the rag ing
storm; and although damaged rigging, still make
Roadway under easy sail. flying her glorious stars and
stripes at the head. Al such a moment / repeat,
despair fill The mind of every rejecting man. and
the s'outest hearts will Involuntary quail the mere
contemp laon of the dangers through which we
must inevitably pass whilst we have uuluckily at tire
helm. time serving bsnlling offfln.e who has been
"swatled and rocked. and danded'' into the Pesiden-
cy. But whilst patriotic citizen will readily
cord his support TO any administration. far il is
dncted upon principles Of justice and equity, and gui-
ded IN its objects by The honon the prosperity and Of the
welfare the whole country: the Wings have nothing
10 hope al the hands OF The coming dynasty. but Official
~ and dlsasle: 10 great national interests, and the
perpoiaaon Of the reckless spirit q revolution and limo
ration and CHANGE which has characterized the modern
sefslyled Democracy for the last years. anu left such
fearful traces OF ruin and desoalion in their fo1sieps
and must therefore stand prepared to draw the sword
and throw away the scabbard Let then pross for
ward in the great cause with jealous ardonr proper
/ toned 10 the impending difficulties which surround u.s.
and with perseverance whic, obstacles, however
great, subdue initiate the splendid example Of the
| GreciaH heroine
''l1er lover snks--she sheds lmed tear
''ller chief Is sain--she fills his fatal post"
II we lament the fate Of gallant leader who has
fallen in the Of the great Wing army. covered with
mpershabe glory, II is not because Office could confer
honor upon which is already inscribed in blaze
of cpry opan every page Of his ceuntry's history during
the last 40 years. PostrIity will award that justice
his devoted patriotism and exalted WORTH which the in
gratitude of his contemporaries has denied. II his cpl
aph shalt not be inscribed with all the insignia Of Office
upon 'stored and animated bust which time clasps
as dust in hands, il will be engraven in indeble char
acers in the fearls of her votaries wherever Liberty
has home Freedom resting place, in all time 10
come.
combination Of all the qualities that constitute Henry
Clay. in pre- eminent degree, the patriot, the orator
and the statesman Of the age. rare indeed, even IN
this favored land Of Liberty II is the lonely aloe that
blooms hut once in a century. in tie shades of his owl
loved Ashland he will find that enjoyment and repose
which the consciousness OF life spent In the service o
IA h,,,ua