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

/ Ahotner year has gone bv-gone to swell fhf
ever-fowlng tideIIof Time, and again, on the al
Universally q our nations birthday, we are as.
sembled toseommune with each other. and to Offer
70 an overriding Providence the tributes Of soui
homage and praise..gS
~Feiiow citizens upon an occasion so dear to
leVery American heart, in what manner shall nor.
form the grateful Office, your kindness has assion
ed to me Upon what subject shall / seeI r.
address you, when so many, and such varied emo.
lions, are suggested by the hour and the scene?
ohall speak to you Of Liberty, that holy spirit
winch ever prompts the heart, anil nerves the arm,
70 resist oppression The theme, alas is as
naclk.neyed, as soul-inspiring Shall speak Of
ratrlotlsm, that love Of our native land, which
forms the strength Of our free government. and
like cord binds us in the ties ofbrotherbood ~
Its fire burns in every heart, its promptinrs in
tiuence every action 81
Shall 60 back to themighty Past, and recount
the deeds OF those, whom we are bound TO cali arr
rathers Their ardent devotion to their cause,
Their Underwriting integrity, their firnness of pur-
pose Their nnshrlnking determination and their
glorious trinmphs, would all be noble themes, vel
eaGn would lal upon your ears, as twice-told
From childhood, you have heard the orator
tory wn the svsrrftere ~.
kindling at the recital calls from his Tyre, the Wild
est notes Of JOY and triumph
It would not be in vain to study the example
and the character of our ancestors 10 seek to he
actuated by their spirit to follow them through
their paths of toll and danger; to extend our SYM
pa;hies to their suerings; andto glory in their vic
tories. In other words, to cast from us the busy
stirring realities of our own generation, and drink
-of the fountains Of purity. and patriotism, which
seem to spring up, every where, in the history Of
their day; Buthoweyer usefulan pleasing, such
duty might prove, different course seems to
lie before us; we are to observe the present, that
we may prepare for the future.
Then, Fellow Citizens, remembering the glory
OF our origin, and ever bearing IN mind the rich
legacy, which has fallen TO US from the past, let us
look calmly and dispassionately to our own land,
ourgown people, and our own duties.
In, this, the 10th century, the world is wont to
boast Of its degree ofimproyement, when compar!
ed with that Of past ages, and We, as Americans,
are prone to go yet farther and regard ourselves
as in advance of our sister nations.
In some respects, we are. Others are yet err
thTalled in political darkness Bound inthe chains
OF despotsm and oppression, ignorant of theele-
walton Of human character and deaf to the prompt
ngs of Freedoms spirit, men look with calmness,
upon the tyranny which tramples them in the
dust. But our own, is a far brighter destiny
Weliye in a land where Liberty has reared her
temple, surrounded by all that elevates and nm
proves mankind and basking in the sunshine of
prosperity, we boast the enjoyment Of those rights
and privileges, which belong to men.
While we look upon these blessings, with par
donable pride, eshould remembenfhat we have
much in common with the rest ofthe world.
We move hand and hand withfhem in the grand
march Of human improvement. we drink OF the
same waters of knowledge, Mhle in science and in
art, in the quiet walks 5oflpeace and the stormy
paths Of war, we are stamped with the same mark
Of progress.
Yet in Government in the principles Of our
Constitution and laws, in our National character
we are alone. Enjoying freedom to degree
greater than has ever iallento the LOT OF man, en-
trusted with destiny more glorious than any
people has eyer boosted we stand before the world
to prove the truth or falsity of the principle, thai
man is capable Of self-government" Then what
more suited to an occasion like the present, thar
to contemplate the nature of our free institutions
and observe their workings-and casting to the
winds, all distinctions and differences, minge to
gether as brothers, shatars of the same home ant
partakers Of the same blessings.
In the annals of mankind, we find the records
Of mighty Revolutions, oyerturning existing dy.
nastes and erecting new governments, but the his.
tory Of each one, bearsits own moral. The effects
OF no heVolutlon can betpermanent, unless 1t be
prompted by principle. Men may rise up in op-
position to established power, but in vain, UNLESS
the springs of their efforts be nober impulses
than a, mere desire for change Examples in
illustration Of the truth Of this remark are numer-
GUS Let History speak, with its pages yet red
with the record Of blood TheFrench Revolution.
Tits grim tyrants, its frowning guiotne, its deeds
of darkness and of death, is yet too fresh in our
Erecoections, to need additional instances A
Revolution, but the precursor Of a detestable ty-
ranny, founded upon false and de5ased principles.
The blood poured out like water, was but i cruel
sacrifice. the outrages perpefrated under the parh
Of Liberty. sacrilegiously assumed, were but san.
culinary offerings, 70 proptiate the demoniac spirit
Of an infuriated populace.
Years may pass By, bnt that dark stain upon
The history ofthe world, can never, never Be erased
Bufa brighter picture Isl presented to the eye
when i turns to the war Of American Indepen-
dence- No spirit Of revenge, no love of strife, led
our fathers to grid on the sword but principle, holy
and unadnlteratsd, spread their standard to the
breeze Of Heaven.
It was not merely because they were taxed,
without representation, that their indignant re-