Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1845-07-17

reason and Judgment. co-oparated WITH n.trio.s,
Ism and the love Of liberty, IN pronpting them =
mat struggle, which secured tous tie hlessad ~;
vIeges we now ENJOY such privileges. the respl,s
q mat contest Of but eight years, woull have bar
cheaply purchased byIa war ofhalf centnry,
whence the wonderful difference be,weso ~,
i5n,as H., atiu .ne internal Struggles of otiier
M. ue ohe answer Is suggested.
,h., 1850 spirits, whe guided and directed
n5 ,, sysS' AheW !hat the march of man was,
al9 would pt onward that liberalization M aoas
had changed and eeyated3his cha,ec,a. ~, :. nj
clouds Of ignorance and prenjdica ,,h;ah L., =
iong lowered DER his head, and darkened Nj II.
sion, had been dispeled BY The LIGHT Of Reason
a'lu wat new and improved system Of govern.
ment. in accordance III, bis 5sa n,aa 49,; ].
fiunhs1n' 4 Pi5S&t9 ssifl Gid emery
stood fierce ordeal Victory iike l;,rh, -
heaven beamed upon them, and an astonishe,
world beheId the banner OF pdtica nrnros ~
pninrlcd tq8he glad winds ofIthe Wcsts - -
II Is notsfor me, 10 euloeize the heroes If ,be
Revol'..ton; the deeds Yof dood men iva ,f,a,
tnetl' shusae influence Of their actions upon our.
seNes, ana ne world at large, is the proudes,
"1 I. tiiat we could erectto their memory
II IS oat proper, However, that we should look
y y me eiieet produced upon The human, race by
Sne example Of our fathers, f5r we find lust cause
or nonest eXnitatt0n in the reflection that great
tsI !astlns benefits enurng to the increase Of
political happiness, have resulted from tbe;r e.,
cessfnl struggle. ~ s"'-
During the last half century nations u, ii, /
a.isen nom thelrl lethargyI and casting of the
siiaeAes p, despotSm stood forth before the world
! - Wy Pfide ana beauty OF freedom. mighty
'laeEseenis % haFq hown from that one fountain,
zsNeH.ns ~ Us onward course, and sweeping be-
lore u the monuments of tyranny and onnres.
sion VINO can estimate the ultimate effects
Who can determine the results Of tie establish
nent Of the practicability OF self-governnela
AZ this day, different influences are operating
upon the minds Of men, and different opinions in
regard to political government, naturally sbrinp
rom them The truth ofthis remark is Iidstra-
yea ~ the reflection that there are those. who.
from prejudice, interest, or the teachings of false
principle, are firmly welded ito the monarchicai
system. ny Them, every act ofours is watched,
!! .hae !helr sieepieSs scrGtnymay be rewarded, BY
the discovery Of some fatal tendency in the work
lnga of4our institutions, upon which thew NAV base
thelt gloomy predictions of failure and oyerfhroly
There are, ontthe other hand, those who have
lmbibed the spirit Of Liberty, who have awakened
10 me true Character of man, who hope for the ac
ofthe plan Of universal freedom, who
yet doubt ITS practicabity. Theireyes are turned
upon US in mingled fear and hope-they regard
9S'sS pioneers, whom they are to follow.
LetNs then awake 10 the responsibilities and du-
lies resting upon rs, and 50 perform the part as
Pfaaas VI 81 @ g GgARg9 aFP9 ma qf Is that
dropping hopes Of the other, remembering that
g Freedom leaves where 'er it flies,
desert Or Paradise" II
We may not be justified in ihhdulging the anti
cipation that atsoine future day. the Sun will rise
and set upon all nations revealing in the blessings
Of Liberty, yet glance at fhe present condition Of
mankind, affords much to cheer and but little to
dispirit.
A survey of the progress which characterizes
our own times, in science and in AFT in commerce,
in. agriculture, andfall other departments Of hui
man energy and industry, is beyond the scope Of
the duty assigned me, yet it ism character with
the occasioD5 to turn for moment, to the contcm-
plation of tie wonderful changes Of opinion, upon
the important subject Of political government.
This seems to be the question of the age, en-
crossing the thoughts apd minds of all men, The OBJ
ject Of governmentlieh and the phi
losophYo vilizatigh, hayealheen cansassedwith
an undying inteMst. Ancient dognlas are dispu-
ted, old prejudioesare shaken, and men seem to be
awakening from the sleep Of ages.
The ef96t j. before us, and we find that the
condition of human society is becoming perma-
nentlYchanged- change important in its chars
actefand beneficial results, tending it does,
tofhe promotion Of liberty and happiness.
This new spirit among men, is clearly to be
traced 10 the pulse given TO the progress Of free
principles, by the successful termination Of the
American Revolution.
\ But, fellowcitzens, let us look to our own land
and our own people. Our career, thus far, has
been,one Of progreks-a progress which seemsto
have been the work of Omnipotence, SO vast, so
wonderful does il appear.
A traveller stood upon the brow of beautiful
mountain, overlooking the valley of the West
He gaztd upon landscapes cleaning in the rays
of the summers Sun, and fields burdened with the
ripenii9 grain, and his eye frightened and beaned
with pleasure, as it rested, upon the quiet and
peaceful homes Of his countrymen Tie dstan,
hum 81, men mingling in the busy world md the
soundsof life and activity, were borne to his ears
As he gazed, he thus soliloquised: For bii
iewyears, hhveI beena wanderer from this my na
tive land; when my eye last looked 4troni, tbi.
mountain height; all was wild--al was wilder
ness, but now how changed Thd deep dark.
ness Of thelwiId-wood is. gone, the stream which
mingled its gentle murnfurs with the songs Of the
tOFesl Dtlu4, now pears pom us UUsOm inc pro-
ducts Of 4 Thousand climes.., Improvement, with
its magic power, has swept by in its onward
course, changing even nature ITSELF" 's
Such is 4 slight illustration ofthe unparalleled
progress, which has characterized US as people,
But however gratifying, it might be, to dwell npon
the EVIDENCES Cf our national prosperity, on this
day, when the recollection Of the past is flesh in
our hearty considerations of a more important, ii
not more pleasing character, demand our serious
attention.
We learn from history, that few governments
have maintained for even half century, in their
original purity aud excellence, the principles upon
which they were based, and but partial scrutiny,
will a6ordus too many evidences, of departure
from the Republican simplicity, Of our ancestors,
and the consequent prevalence Of wrong tendencies
and dangerous influences.
Ii Is no; my purpose to speak of those ID detail,
as they seem TO present food for calm reflection,
rather than subject for argument.
il has been said, that the existence Of two great
political parties, in our government, which will
watch with jealous eyes, the measures and move
ments OF each other, must prove beneficial. This
may be true, butt condemn, and call upon eyerv
Patriot to condemn. the ferceness and bitterness Of
party strife, so often exhibited among our peonle
The finer feelings and the nobler impulses Of our
natures, are sacrificed to the spirit Of party. IA
difference of opinion i brooked, no character i IL
pure that il Is unassailsd Inc 81 condpct !.
so free from suspicion, that it is not attributed Il