Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-07-18
o r A T l O N (.

| Another year has been added to the
/ ages that are past. Another Bnniversa-
| ry ofour political Sabbath has rolled round.
| Again have we listened TO the wise words
of patriot sages TO the great charter Of
our Liberties, far above the snliquated.
and meager record, wIested by the iron
handed Barons at Runnymede. from the
imoecile John Of England; TO the thoughts
that breathe and words that burn in that
solemn aud well cons dered document
which was at once tho voice Of a mighty
Nation, promugaiing for the first time in
the annals OF mankind, political truths a,
war with the received dogmas Of all past
| time and declaration oil war, by feeble
and scattered colonies, against q parent
Siate-the most powerful Of the civilized
Nations on the Globe.
At the same time, an Instrument which
from its grave and momentous truths.
might have been regarded, as the epto-
mixed wisdom of past ages-the solemn
liiany Of Liberty land yet an instrument
framed by a retired country lawyer, then
Virginia planter; 10 less time than he
would have taken 20 draft an Indictment:
- An instrument which was At the same
time destined to be the great Beacon light
for oil The Nations Of The Earth, in all
coming time, who might struggle for true
liberty and rational governments Or.
the osath- warrant Of the man who wrote
it, and his band Of brethren who signed
it, aud acknowledged it with him:--An
instrument at the same time, filled with
sentiments which inculcate peace and
charity; yet penned amid the din OF
arms -persuasive in its ressoniDgs, yet
daring in its denunciations--s at once calm.
and deliberate, but as firm as Fate itself.
The American citizen III his minds eye
SECS that devoted band Of patriots in the
old brick house in Philadelphia, (Which
still stands the true cradle of lberty,) and
in Imagination looks upon the manly form
Of J,fferson, the philosophical Franklin.
and the sturdy proportions OF Adams
The first with the document in hand, as
erect as one Of bis poplars on the summit
OF Montice llo. The second as calmly
confident, as when he esssyed to draw
down, with tho certainty OF science, the
lightning from the thunder cloud. Tho
last as firm as his native granite, looking
through the years Of strife, TO these days
when we should celebrate the ann versa.
ry er thai day. with bontires and feasts.
and rejoicings. Around, sit band Of
men, the chosen representatives OF tho
American people--meC IN every respect.
made for the occasion; many Of them.
had been educated in the best schools 10
Europe; most Of them men OF fortune aud.
Of leisure, who Ind been b. ed up with
enough of the refinement and culture Of
civilized life to mark them as gentlemen
with enough Of the plain and hardy
habits Of new country TO banlsh every
thing like eff minacy from their charact.
tiers. Noto days, how often do we see
the polish without the strength and vigor
Of character; and hardibood even TO
rudeness; without the gentle contiesy,
that tempers it-hOw, often, the qualities
arc dsuuted: Ia them they were joined
In fact, our people were then at that peiBt
in their social progress, when they wefs
! fitted for the great coniest-and these
members of the Congress Of rs, weFo
! among the best specimens OF Them
| There was call upon them, 10 do the
! great work--and manfuily did they res-
puuu W lHhk Chlis SRfNANb az ohJ
blow, the old and honoured bands, that
bound US to the mother country. They
threw away the scabbard Of the sword OF
patriotism--wiih which the deed was done
land having pledged their lives, and for.
tunes, and sacred honor, upon the justice
of the deed, and the cause, they called
out to their Brethren in arms, painting for
the conilict--"J'o your tents, o. Israel"
And was this the end. No my coun.
try men, only tho beginning Of the end.
Seven years Of strife and toll, and sacra.
fees, and suffering, were to follow. Sew
en- years Of war, waged against the power
Of mighty, and revengeful Nation, in
dignant at the revolt Gas they considered
Iit) Of rebel coonies;--a war waged, not
upon the principles of civilized warfare.
but with the bitterness Of civil war, and
the remorseless cruelty ofsavage warfare.
We fought not only against England,
but against princpalities, and powers ALI
ed TO her;--agans. Indians, and merce-
nary IIessisn troops. The country was
ravaged, and the peaceable citizen was
cut down at the plough. His property
was plundered, and fire finished oftoa