Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-07-09
vIRGisIA-THE PREss--riiE Pro
TIE.

One Of the ''happiest signs OF The times, :"
connected with the future dcsuny o. our state,
IS tho increasing interest manifested IN ITS I'M
movement BY The Press. Virginia mas so long
been accustomed 10 exercise controlling IN
Huence il the councils Of the nation, that, tile
more limited theaife Of action afforded within
her own borders. seems scarcely TO have been
deemed worthy a moments notice. bier tai
ents have been contributed IN a thousand varied
shapes 10 the interests of our common Union.
Her statesmen have founded, fashioned and
guided the Republic from It's infancy TO man
hood Her orators have swayed The souls oil
millions from the halls OF Congress. her Ju-
risfs have elevated the Federal Bench to an
equality in learning and dignity with any JUDI
cial tribunal under the sun. her soldiers, from
the first dawn OF the Revolution, when the
great PATRIOT HERO Of the world led on
the march Of Freedom, 10 the present moment.
in which Virginia blade is flashing as OF old IN
the front OF The war, have adorned with deeds
Of almost superhuman gallanuy, the martial
annals Of their country. Yet she, who has
been so lavish Of her gifts to others, seems TO
have entirely forgotten herself She who has
given to mankind a WASHINGTON, to the
highest seats Of the Law, a MARSHALL, TO
the ranks OF craftsmanship, philosophy and or
atory .aJE,FFEeSON, HENRY and CLAY +,
besides myriad Of other famous lumlnaries, rs
behind almost every other State OF the conied-
oracv. in the general education OF her people
and the development of her physical resources
She has gone forth, with gallant retlnue and
almost religious devotion OF Crusader, to fight
the battles OF the General Government; while,
at home. her lands have run to waste. her ten
antrv are impoverished and discontented, and
her fine old family seat is fast becoming little
else than moss grown rum.
But there are Signs of change, signs which
have sprung up within few years, and are
full of bright promise. The PRESS IN thus,
as in every other great movement Tor the ben
eft of mankind. has led the way A voice
has been heard for years from this Capitol, call
inc upon yrginians to arouse from their sleep;
10 shake off the ignoninious shackles Of sloth
and inaction: TO remember their higher origin
and their higher destiny. That voice may be
heard no more. but its echoes have been caught
up by a thousand answering tongues; they
are coming back upon every breeze; noun
tain and glen are eloquent with their stirring
tones. The great work of Reform has been
commenced, and 1t is for the PRESS TO carry
il out: to labor. day and night, for p1ginia.
10 awaken the enterprise OF her people; to
arouse her legislators to the work OF her saliva
ten and to pour the waves Of its own nigh
ty influence, sparkling with living light, INTO
the darkest caverns Of ignorance. Upon the
press we must rely, as the main agent IN the
achievement Of the glorious ends, and we re-
ioice that, conscious of its high responsibility.
It is preparing. in every part OF the Common
wealth to discharge with fidelity and zeal, the
solemn trust confded to its hands.
Let the PEOPLE sustain the appeals OF the
Press Let them assemble in primary mee:-
ings. make known their wants upon the sub
iects ofImprovements and Education, and, put
ling their own shoulders TO the wheel, invoke
the Legislative aid. If their reasonable de
mands are neglected, let them correct the evil
al the polls. and elevate to office politicians OF
enlarged and liberal views,-statesmen who
are not a century behind the age in which they
live. Greatas is our veneration OF ancient times.
lot us have some pride in the present, and care
for the future Virginia requires in her public
councils no more worshippersof the Past,--no
more anoin,ed Priests of Antiquity, ministerng
at a shrine whose blaze has long since become
extinct. Rather does she need some Prophet,
Young. vigorous, full of inspiration, to unseai
The volume of her fate, and call down fresh
fire from Heaven upon the smouldenng brands
of her Altar Richmond Republicans