Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-11-15

NdNlOlS, as Ntil as lnOlN luOalS, are often
times thrown into a state OF ,orpor, as il Were
from which they are unable TO be- aroused uni
til ii has naturally died away. For years has
Virginia been in a torpid state, and all the eli
forts made in her behalf, all the fears and
doubts of others have fallen harmless by her
side and failed to awaken he, To the perils and
dangers of her situation. But the day has at
length arrived that she is beginning toawaken
To 4 sense OF her danger. Apathy and iidif.
terence no longer pcrvads her borlcrs, the spi-
rit of improvement is beginning to manifest
itself IN every shape and manner. Commerce,
Agriculture and the Arts seem TO have recei,-
ed AN impetus. Manufactures are beginning
To strike deep root in her soil and Education.
the shield and the armor OF Republics, is also
beginning to receive the attention due to il.
When we contrast her present state with
her past, it cannot fail TO awaken in the breast
of every patriot a glow of admiration and a
noblcr pride OF spirit. She has ever been the
first To lift her arm and her voice in defence u,
the rights and liberties of the Union. whether
IN the halls of Congress or on the blood. stain
ed battle field. Foremost in danger aud ever
prompt to act in every thing that in any way
pertains to upholding the interests ofthc Con
iederacy, she has Won for h,rs,lfa golden
name and fame among her sisters. But in one
thing she has been sadly d.icicn;-and that
is in the general diffusion Of knouhdge. No
country, however equitable her laws, howev-
or upright her conduct, or however bright her
honor, can long stand against the sword OF ig-
norancc in the hands of an uncducatcd rabblc.
No barrier or restraint can check them in their
desolating course, and soon her admirable in
stitutions must bend to the spirit of ignorance
and vice. Ask of an American whose name
stands first on the page of History, and whose
name tits that awakcns a higher impulse or a
deeper feeling, and he will point out the name
of Virginia. Ask him whose are brightest on
the page of History and where was their birth
place, he will point you toa Washington, a
Jefferson, a Patrick Henry, and a host Of 9th
ers, and Virginia as their birth place. Ask
him which is the most chivalrous and gener-
Gus of the States, and he will point out 10 YOU
Virginia. But ask him il Education forms
the general basis of their character: with q
blushing cheek and downcast eve he will an
swer no. Ask him if knowledge is dinrused
among all ranks aud classes of society, among
the poor as well as the rich, the low as well
as the high, with grief he will answer no.
Why, then, should it longer be a reproach on
her. Ere long it will be wiped out and Vir-
ginia, renovated and reformed, will appear to
the world in a new character and d new dress,
which will heighten interest and drown pre-
judice.
Her sun is rising, and as it slowly rises lis
golden beams pierce the misty cloud which
overshadows the land, dispelling, by their po-
wcr, its gloomy and dismal aspect. Let us
hope that the day is not far distant when it
shall burst on the visions of countless ,hous-
ands and beam with "A rcfulgent brightness
Let us hope that the bonds of ignorance will
soon be severed and the delightful paths of
wisdom thrown open 10 her children.
Arouse myself Virginia. in thy strength and
might, and with the scrolls of Wisdom on the
one hand and thy power and majesty on The
other, stand Onward in the lists, ready and
willing TO combat prejudice and ignorance,
and TO sustain and hold thy own and thy cour-
trys rights, says SPECK.