Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-06-03

months, and 90 after six months.
GIVE do not belong TO tina; class Of croaking
philosophers, who, whenever cloud gathers
uponthe poltealhorizon, are wont 10 despair
oe'he Republic" We are not Of those, who
seek to cast the Horoscope OF the future, only
that ruin and desoaon and the destruction OF
cur farest hopes, may pass before the eye. in
gloomy array. Yet we are too wei! aware,
tina. it is no par, Of wisdom 10 shut gu: the
shadows cast by coming events. 1t becomes
the palrio, to seek to prepare for every danger
that menaces his country-tha' meeting II
boldly. and girdIng himself for the struggle. he
may act as one in whose heart, the noble prln-
ciples Of patriotism and devotion 10 has Eel
low men, rise far superior 10 mere individual
and selfish impulses.
1t is. we hope, in this spin, that VT have
asked ourselves, what will be the ultimate Ell
feet Of the Mexican war upon us, as nation
Win it place our boosted institutions upon a
fTiaer aud more stable foundation VIII il
foster that peaceful policy which has elevated
US to the height we now occupy in the scale
of natioas7 viii it strengthen that holy spir-
it OF compromise upon which the Union rests,
as its firnes, base In word. will we be
benefited or injured2 Will we emerge from
the trial, as gold from the fire, purer and better
or will we gather tina, alloy, which in the end
will prove, like plague spot, all corrupung
all destroying2
Whatever answer, whether Of truth or soph
is;ry. may be given 10 these inquiries, two IN
evitable results Of the war-not because II Is
against Mexico, but because il is ,c6s-u!ay
well awaken the most anxious consideration.
The spirit Of peace has proved 10 be 'he
principal element Of our natural progress. Il
has spread the wings Of our commerce upon
the bosom ofsvery seat has poured resist
less tide Of energy and enterprise Throughout
the land, until the wilderness has blossomed
like the rose. Through the magic oft, power
Nature has bowed its head 10 Art. and tht
seal of improvement has been stamped upon
every work of man. j, has ever shone, the
star OF that destiny, which has urged US up
ward and onward.
When our legion, return flon the blood-dy'
ed plains OF Mexico, will they bring back iha
love OF peace. tina, fonduess for The Gu,et pur
suits of civil life, tina, energy OF character
which is the Distinguishing mark Of the PEG
pie. from whose mids, they wen, forth ! Or
will they not, mbued with the horrible TO
nance of war, and intoxicated with the glory
of military life, bear into the quiet o! then
homes, the fierce feelings which are too otter
characteristic Of the soldierl
But this danger sinks into nothing, comps
red with another which menaces the safety 0
the Union itself. We have no desire TO dwell
upon this--but whsA il is admitted in all quar-
iers, that upon whatever terms peace is nego
,ia,ed with Mexico, new territory will conn
into our hands, we canno, bu, fear that i, vii
prove an apple Of discord, and mayhap. tn
grave of the Republic. How shall bs sp
propria,ed? How divided? Such are III
stern questions which will be presented. Tit
subjec, Of slavery, which has so often sent
pang Of anxious fear to the stoutes, heart, vii
prove itself fearful element Of the danger
The storm which has been galiesing FOR year
willbursi upon Gu, heads. The hour and thu
day for compromise will have passed forever
The voice Of peace will be hushed, and part,
strife. aud eavy and sectional jealousy. wi
raise their demoniac revels in the very temple
OF Patriotism and Reason.
With no trumpet tongue to rise in eloauen
appeal above the 6erce howlings OF the storm
no saving hand to pour oil upon the trou
bled waters--the cloud Of despair will sa,heI
over the vision Of the patriots hope--never
perhaps, to be rolled hack.