Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-08-26
THE TRAITORS DOOM.


THE TRAITORS DOOM.
Edward Bates, in bis Grafton at st Louis,
Missouri, on the 4ta Of July ult,, on the
occasion Of opening the Pacific Railroad, used
the following eloquent language:
1--WE need not dwell upon that darkest PC
riod of our history, the interval between the
Declaration Of Independence and the estab-
lishment Of the Federal Constitution Col
lapsed after the excitement Of the Revolution.
exhausted by efforts ola seven years war,
without trade, without manufactures. with
out the prestige of name among nations,
and the States hound together only BY tho
feeble ties Of the Articles Of Confederation,
our country stood in her utmost peril The
kings of Europe looked on with hope and ex-
pectation Of seeing the failure OF our republi-
can experiment The wisest OF our coun-
trymen were at their wits end. and the
spirits of the brayost of our patriots sunk
within them But the same good providence
of God which had shielded our fathers from
the peris Of the Revolution, was still over
them. Hope was revived courage rcanima-
ted and wisdom, and virtue, and strength
were given to our Statesmen, and they were
enabled to produce the glorious Constitu-
ton under which we live.
1t was made as the preamble de-
elares, 'lu order to form a more perfect u
Mon. to establish justice ensure domestic
tranquility, provide for the common defence,
promote tue general welfare, and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and our pos
terity.' And has it not accomplished. to
the letter, all its grand designs? Never
was nation so blest with all the elements Of
prosperity, and all the means Of honest and
virtuous power individual comfort and ma
tioual glory are not only within our reach,
but are actually attained Our territory,
stretcliog across the breadth Of the conti-
nent is not only enough for us and our pos
terity, but enough, alsc, to supply plentiful
and happy homes to the landless and house
less millions ofredundant Europe. Our ma
ton, though yet greenland vigorous in youth,
stands giant among the nations Of the earth.
Our flag floats with honor in every port
Cur commerce whitens every sea, and the
name OF chr country is published in thunder
arounl the globe. And all these blessings
are the fruits Of this glorious Constitution.
Hence, OF her sacred Charter proud
With-ev'ry earthly good cndow'd,
Ger land and sea uufadld
Columbia waves her standard wide
Hence seas her ircghted navies ride,
Ger rivers, lakes, and oceans tide,
The wonder Of the world
ait is hard to conceive Of an American
citizen striving to overthrow that Constitution,
and plotting to dismember that great and
growing nation. And yet the unwilling mind
is forced to the conclusion that our country
has few such unnatural and parrieidal sons.
Men soured BY disappointment, perverted by
false IDEAS of sectional interests, and blinded
to truth aud reason by the madness Of their
own lawless ambition. Men. whose morals
do not restrain them from taking the oath Of
allegiance while they are plotting treason
whose pride cannot deter them from dis
honoring their fathers, aud whose patriotism
is not strong enough to prevent them from
/ denouneing aud Decorating all that history
has recorded as great and good in the wor-
/ thics CT the Revolution. Men who for the
qualification oftheir own bad passions, would
renouncc all the blessings We now enjoy, des-
troy the worlds last nope. and tear THEN
country to peices, for the sake Of ruling one
Of its lacerated fragments.
"l}ut thanks be to God, they are powerlesi
for such mighty miscbief--There is, pcrva-
ding the whole mass of our people, a deeE
seated heart felt loyalty to our institutions.
Whenever real danger shall present itself
millions Of freemen viii rally to the rescue
and drive back or crush the foe. whether for
eigc or domestic Before one line Of the
Constitution shall be erased, or one stone
removed from the Capitol, by treacheroui
conspiracy or hostile violence, thousands ant
tens Of thousands Of loyal frcemen viii die il
its defence.
"But fin the wrath Of Heaven, some am
bilious leader should be allowed to accom-
plish the awful ruin, his name would g,
down to posterity blackened monument 0
paricidal crime Living he would have t.
bear the execrations Of the wise and goot
throughout all chrisendom; aud in his owl
desolated land,
Maids and matrons on his name
Would call down wretchcaness and shame,
And infamy and woe
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