American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-07-19
)eyotedto General Intelligence, Literature,


4even in the gratefdland beautiful language Of the lead
er OF Israel, he stood in prospect of the promised
land, bless the God of our fathers for the precious
things OF heavens for the dew, and for the deem that
lcoucheth beneath-and for the chief things of tho
mountains and for the precious things of the lasting
hills and for tho precious hings of the earth and t
funess thereof" Deut. 33 13, Is, 16.
! l, therefore, repeaS the qloston--wlyS Sshoud yi-
gmians emigratc here wilthey find country rich
er IN ali The elements OF wealth, power andhappness
What wonderful hallucinaton has overcome Them bat
they are so blind to their interests and so ready to
violate those sacred instincts by which nature would
bind Us to the natal spo How is it, that they so rea
dly and madysedly bid adieu to the hills and the val
eys, the fields and the fountains the horizon aud tho
landscape OF their childhood ?-cast OFF the sweet in
uences and hallowed sentiments that dwell around the
hearthS and affairs whore the mind first began to rea-
son, and the heart to love? Why have Yirginans so
lttic OF that amor patr'@ of the ancient poets and
lphiosophers--that strongest element of all genuine
patriotism? What induces this sad yccreancy to uni
versal sentiment of hunanitya sentiment that dyelIs
mot alone IN the heart of civilized man? It is not tho
artlhcIa result OF literary refinement or christian tut
ton, or political influences 1t seems to be law of
human nature 1t glows in the bosom of the barbarian
lie nights Tor the hunting grounds of his youth and
i dues defending the graves of his sres Want may
drlye the Iyroese youth abroad but he returns in time
to die on his native SOIL and be buried with his fathers
The Swtzer in his rude and scanty hut in the Apipe
gorges, cherishes the same sentiment.
/ g Dear is the she'd TO which his soul conforms
e An5 sa5 as ea eGi 1 %iich is him to the storms
$, So th9 g. loud a torrent and the whl wind's roar
4 Bat bind him to his native mountains more.'
1t warns the heart of the Iceander in his snow-hnt
1t sottens the rgors of the nhospable climate
1t mgates the toll of the wearest serf Of Russia and
flourshes IN the deserts of Arabia cannot do better
than to continue to repeat the beautiful numbers of
the The Traveller" whom have quoted He saw
this sentiment every whore strongly developed and as
! he went he sang
''The shnJdorng tenant Of the frsfd zone
Eo,iiy f 6oeleims pro the i.aPpiest spot his S~l y
long 'i@5S NIGHTS Of osety itSay and ssas sass
Rae The p. naked g !, negro painting at the line sa
' - Best le@is ooae SSs5 ess %HS'GS Ioe we roam
It IS doctrine OF the English law that the allegi-
ance which the ahtural born subject owes to his soVe
reign is intrinsic and ndefeasible The same doctrine
has been grayeg and frequently discussed in this conn
try but il remains unsettled by competent authority
1t has not yet been determined that citizen of the D.
States may dissolve his allegiance at his pleasure
Nay, review Of tho discussions of eminent lawyers
and the incidental dcta of learned judges author
l2e very clearly think the conclusions deduced horc
from by Chancellor Kent that a citizen cannot re-
nouncc his allegiance, without authority Of law express
y granted 1t is argued with great force that there
IS an compact between the State in its aggrc
gated and political capacity and each individual citizen
which neither dissolve without the consent or the
default of the other The State is under obligation to
protect the citizen and it is the duty of the citizen to
defend the State and obey its laws. The onc there
fore may not withdraw his services or terminate his
featy, whilst the other maintains the faith of its ob
cation,
/ Now whilst do not pretend that this rigorous COM
mon law doctrine OF allegiance, is strictly applicable
TO the citizen Of State, who desires to become
ctIon OF another State under thesamo federal const
tqton yet the great moral principle on which the law
where does apply claims to be predcated most GER
tany should amount to persuasive authority for the
heart and conscience of every Virgnian While, in
deed, am disposed to impugn the rule of perpetual
allegiance as incompatible with the true theory and
spirit OF political liberty yet do consider that the
unyersalty OF this sentiment of attachment to the
native soil is almost sufficient invest it with sacred
character. implanted III the breast of humanity bv
the great Creator, It's claims upon 1nankind must
amount to a degree Of moral obligations which NAV
not be lightly rcg1tdea without involving the Guilt Of
moral delinquency. The behosts of mere political ex !
pedency cooa not until this day have retained in the
code OF SO many nations, this dogma of ndefeasible
allegiance. Our own liberal organic and municipal
laws could not have remained until now without anv
explicit recognition OF the right of epatriaton if this
great moral sentiment of race had not imposed its
almost divine sanctions upon the duties and honaoe
due from the citizen to his native commonwealth
Besides, these local attachments arc oninentlv con-
duclye tothat fraternity and fellowship contemplated
IN the moral Organization Of man, and are designed to
upartto social intercourse its true cordiaty sna de-
light The friendships Of childhood and youth ac sim
cerc, unsofi9h, ardent and abiding Tie ties and at
n ff 4str,ax1 -.