Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-02-05

Etktftsftts~cskS Il uE80tKAGA.
The National TnteHigeneer speaks 81
the changes which have taken place with.
10 the last gwenty years in the lone, TEN.
per and spirit characteristic Of the admn.
istralion oi our public affairs. Ii RECAP.
tnlatss thu prominent poials 10 which coa.
sssiutopal ism has heen bcaien down and
dom'nalioa established 10 its place ar.
bltrary, wtllnl, nlolefant--swayine by
tie fin ofamajorty, ana converting lie
iunctlens 81 2air otie service alto the
means II svltisn aggrand cement. Ii saws,
Younger men, nuf witnesses Of what
exis' Cd twenty years ago, midway Only
IN cur own political experience must be
less sensible Of the frightlul changes OF
which We speak: changes such, and so
yisibly threatening still more rapid and
terrible ones, that, amidst hundred sects
and schisms bewildering the public mind
with new ianaiicisms every day; amidst
a practice as Inscriptions as the doctrines
are oyer-yrtuous, amidst a universal dis.
order, Generalization, violence, venalily.
inla.ualion, an1 selhshness. with patti.
otlsm of Office seekers and President
makers; with liberty such as the worst
or most ignorant men are ioudesl for; We
turn our eyes only with dismay upon the
spectacle OF public affairs, aud en1casor
in vain TO repel from our hearts impressions
the most melancholy. II is 10 the mids,
Of all these distractions that madden and
these corruptions that iniest the lard, that
insensate visions OF boundless dominion
are played before us visions Of blessing
the subjugated earth with the sway OF
people pulling their own Government TO
pieces, and who will. as things are going
on, presently be without laws or money,
as they are already withou. arms
Ii remains for the future to disclose the
results Of the ruling tendencies now a,
work. II must not, however, be forgotten
that the elements of noble civilization
are abundant with U.s. enduring elements.
which are continually acquiring strength
and consistency bepealh the surface Of
the disorder which presents such ominous
aspects. Apparent degenerncy has not
impaired those manly qualities which gave
such dignity and grauds ur to tho national
character in the days OF WASHINGTON
But the grand experiment which we are
testing, - that Of The capacity Of a people
to govern themselves IN II, edwin, re.
qumes thai many transition states shall be
passed through. tha, the true and the coed
may be known and held fasi, while tho
evi! aud the fulse are sloughcd oft.
In The republics Of antiquity, whenever
the democratic principles ran to such ex.
trem, as to be incompatible With govern.
ment, there was never found re-ac,yo
power in the commonwealth 10 regain il.
self and to restore Older save by cuncfn.
traiing all power IN the hands OF single
man. Free institutions once lost were
Inever re-cstabllshed. But in modern
civilization, with lis greater developments
Of individuality, lis vast variety OF quail.
ties an ] characte rislies, and the necessary
tolerance mutually observed among these
diverse elements, ard, above all from The
truths OF Christianity, more or less dlilus.
ed through the frame work Of modern ~
siitutions, il is not one revolution in a
State, nor two, nor many. tba. can render
despotism the only resort Of people 10
preserve their political existence. On tho
other hand each covulsion which mny &C.
cui from time 10 time TO shake Off tie 100
exclusive rule of any one principle, must
tend gradually 10 adjust all principles har.
moniously, giving to e9ch lis just impor.
lance and its proper functions. The grea.
test confusion Of particles is just before
Capitalization lakrs place. Bat. amer