Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-07-18

lived with the frontiers sei,lefs--as Ran
ger he had fought the French and Indi-
ans in the then Indian country-as Colo
nial commander he knew US as colonisis.
He iraversed the country as commander
in chief; he had Commanded men from all
parts of the Country; no correspondent
with eminent persons in every section oil
the United States; he owned lands in Vir.
GINA, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New
York, Kentucky, and Ohio. Who doubts
bis wisdom--who can question his disin-
terestedness. Why 90 even recall these
considerations, only to remind YOU that we
should hearkeu TO his advice as duiilul
children should hear, mark, and inwardly
digest the words Of good parent uiiured
as bis death-bed counsel and advice.
! [Here the speaker read several extracts
from the Farewell address, touching the
Union and the dangers which threatens it
from Geographical divisions of party, par.
ty spirit, associations for lactous purpo.
SEES, and any neglect Of the great princi.
pies Of morality AID religion.
Thus have ! read TO you the matured
views Of Washington, as to the causes
which might threaten our glorious lnslitu-
tons. Have they not more weight than
eyer---now that lime lend brief time for
the life OF a nation, has turned that, which
was warning, into Prophecy
For upon the subject of the Union, and
our devotion TO it, and the dangers which
menace it, how long is it since, in one OF
these United States, by the State authori
ty, the laws Of the Country, were set at
naught by an Ordinance, assuming it as
the right Of a State TO nullify a law oil
Congress, and her citizens were seen arm
ing themselves for contest with the Uni
ted States; and we saw the descendants OF
the Rutleges, and Marions, and Clintons,
supplanting the emblem of our Country
grandeur, the lofty Eagle, with the Sec
tional badge of the Palmetto! How long
is it siace another Sovereign State, at the
other extreme Of the United States, resolv
ed in her legislature that Congress should
be pettioned to dissolve the glorious Uni
on-and are not members Of that BODY
the successors of the Congress of 76,
found; 10 speak openly of its probability?
Even noiO do we not hear ill-omened
calculations Of its ualue, compared with
the Importance of success in measure re-
Gently and suddenly presented to the
American People?
Are not these very geographical ques-
tons" alluded to by the Parens patriae the
very causes which disturb this happy
Union ?--"Northern and Southern ~
Are we to be blind to the startling fact,
that intolerant and fanatIcal men in the
North-seek, under the preience Of phi
lanthopy, to disturb the compromises of
the Constitution, entered into by their ia.
Tiers, and that Southern Hotspurs have
"combined and associated to obs,ruct the
laws" and prefer, or seem TO prefer, pc.
litical preponderance, in the geographical
division, TO that brotherly love of Union
which will pepe,uate our prosperity, and
transmit il 10 our children.
And as TO party spirit, my friends Of
both parties (for to day, and here, am Of
no party, or rather belong only to one
party, the party of my country;) does no,
the rancour of this "spiri: fparty" threat.
en- our peace? Where is that manly
feeling of courtesey. Where, that broth
erly spirit of patriotism-where, that ra.
4 tional spirit of toleiation p that fairness
in debate THAT caution in speech .
that freedom from personality, and bitter
ness, and rancour, in the political jour
nails Of both parties; that should character
ze political brethren? Citizens OF the
same land, living under the same laws,
| nj nod
to the same constitution? should we not
bind ourselves to correct this !? In his
words | say-"the experiment at least is
recommended by every sentiment which
our robles human nature. Alas! is it
rendered impossible by its vices 7" For.
bid it patriotism! Forbid it sha des of
our fathers! Forbid it High Heaven
venture not to dilate upon this topic.
| have no right TO presume opon any ex-
emption from the bias OF party feeling
that my fellow men are subject to. All
that dare do, is TO point you to the warn
Ings Of him who scared above party feel.
ing in his life, and speaks TO US now from
The tomb. Let US, each one for himself
honestly ard conscientonsly make the
application.
But lastly. Can we hope 10 maintain
our liberties and the Union which holds
them, if we do not frown down upon
every departure from that morality and
virtue which Washington tells US are the
"great pillars of human happiness-the
irmest props of private and public feIici-
ty."
have said that the virtue of a nation
can be nothing but the aggregate virtue
Of its individual citizens.
The sage Montesquien lays il down as
political axiom, 'that while honor IS the
principle of monarchies, rHtue is the
principle of republican governments" and
the reason is obvious, because the power
is in The people, and If the source ofpow-
err in a free State be corrupt that repub-
lie must pass over the same dreary road,
to the same dark destiny which has been
the end OF all former republics: TO the
IRON rale ofthe despot, to save them from
anarchy; or to the artificial, and sitting
protection Of arslocratical institutions,
because the people are weary of watch
ing their liberties.
We are bound TO put this question to