Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-02-22
ADDRESS
OF THE DEM. STATE CONVENTION
Tc the People of Virginia.

authority. 10 select persons suitable to
be voted for, as Electors of President
and Vice President Of The United States.
1T becomes US. in discharge If this i'm
portant trust. 10 give the reasons which
have influenced us in the selection. -
when the struggle between parties shall
become iaotious contest for office, then
viii It be matter Of no consequence
who may hold those exalted stations. =
Where the lust Q! dominion, and the
spolts OF office, constitute the sole mo-
tives of exertion. the sincere pa,r,at will
be constrained 10 retire in disgust, and
give place to the political stakeholder.
who ..nstead OF regarding Government
IS high and holy trust for the country,
sees in il nothing but JOB, to be admin
istered for the benefit of a party, otwhich
the President 10 the head and grand al
moner.' 1t cannot be denied, that there
are men, who strive to sink principle and
to convert our political contests into a
scramble tnr place, by daily narrowing
an alagnitqaAe and ertent. those fundamen-
tai differences on ali questions touching
the Constitution, and policy which have
marked The history Of parties since the
foundation OF the Republic. The annals
oil our country furnish some black letter
examples of men who have hung loosely
on the skirts Of party, like iil-omened
birds lowering on the confines Of hostile
armies, or armed neutras ready to take
advantage OF the fortunes Of war-some
times with the one, sometimes with the
other; bu. always, by most sagaclous
foresight, falling in with the party for
the time being in the ascendent-c clutch
proportion to the magnitude of the obll-
cations they have violated-time- serving
and selfish in proportion to their boosted
and self-exaltlng patriotism. Examples
like these. however, rarely disgrace the
records Of earlier times. Our fathers
knew too well, the importance of dis
tlnctly marked principles, to suffer any
temporary policy to conlound or eiface
them. 1t is only since the contest has
become more evenly balanced, and the
issue doubtful, that those birds of pas
sage have become so numerous and Ill
boding in their fight.
But that an honest amalgamatich can
ever take place-that the two conten-
ding parties of the country can ever be-
broush to harmonic and stand together
on common platform Of principles and
measures, is impossible. The difference
is irreconciable. radical, and as durable
a time-As well may the Ethiopian hope
10 change his skin, or the Leopard his
spots. 1t is difference growing out OF
The mental constitution, moral percep-
lions. education and social relations OF
men, and amounts to repugnante and
hostility. So long as man shall be proud
and imperious, will he delight to exer-
else his superior intellect in acquiring
dominion over his weaker and less fortu-
nate brethren. So long as his heart can
conceive the sentiment of seltishncss or
avarice, will be seek to grind the faces
ofthe poor, and to impose burdens him
self would not endure. So long as the
rich, the well-b0rn and intellectual few,
conscious Of infidelity and weakness In
themselves. shall have no faith in the ca
pacisy and integrity OF their feilow-men;
and fearful! Of their chartered and time
honored privileges, shall trembIe at the
slightest move of popular indignation
so loh5 will they unbushlnsly sacrifice
right on the shrine Of power-draw the
relns OF Government into their own hand
under preface Of necessity, and control
the dependent and despised multitude
with the more potent wand of interest Or
fear. New men may come to the stage
of action, rev measures arise, but those
deem sentiments Of the human heart will
ever spring up, as perennial and I'M
chapgeable as the fountains of Nature,
giving character to the men, and vitality
to their actions. The naughty Roman
Patrician, with his retinue OF Plebeian
clients; the proud Baron, with his retain
erg; and the lordly Flnancier, with his
train of suppliant debtors, were all gov
erned by the same principles, iniiu
enced By the same sentiments. lime,
circumstances may change the means,
but the end is ever the sane. Those
motives of action, arising from mans IN
nate love ct dominion, IN no age nave
been suppressed; nor can they ever DC.
Their encrOachments are as steady ana
rs sure as the ever-swelling ocean-tlde,
whose sufges the feeble delences OF man
can never surely fence out. Therpols
oned germs, like the fabulous Dragons
teeth, are ever springIng up armed men
not always neutrals-and Liberty con-
sists in perpetual warfare against them.
Peace, even momentary armistice, IS
fatal. While men siumber. the enemy
will SOW taaes in their feld--while they
dream. will he distil into their ears, the
poison of discomfort and sedltion. -
Though triple-rnoathed cerberas wee
set 70 guard the citadel of freedom, he
vonld be. Iul!ed to steep by the opiate
Of wealth and the syren song ofease and
luxury. Eternal vigilance is the pnce
we ray for Liberty Our fathers. with
s,e,l, virtue, fought against those primer
,,les and (ayorite maxims OF Government
arising p.ss ngi from The lust Of dominion il tie
hs,rt Of man, and at an early period pro-
nourlced them incompatible Nth puoac
IL