Greenbrier weekly era. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1854-1861, 1858-07-17
WISBURG VRGlNAFO} TILE WEEK SATURDAY, H.

l hhho Z
gathering additional strength rs it goes
OIL, until it becomes !'lko tho Pontic
sea, whose icy current and compulsivo
course, po'cr knows retiring ebb." And
could til ero hc more appropriate place,
10 minglo our deliberations uron this
day, than in this beautiful and romantic
Valley, where the seekers of pic asurc, as
we'll US health, are alike rewarded for
whatever Of trouble or fatigue they ma
undergo, in reaching its pleasant shades
aud its delightful atmosphere.
Coming as we do, from all parts of
our common country; representing as
we do, its North. its East, its West, and
its South. ws can forgot for the time
being, any little differences which muy
! exist among us rs partizans. Wo can
review. with pleasure aud satisfaction,
the past history of our country, and we
can feel that pleasure which>only M 4.
mcrican can know, which points to tho
present proud position which his coup..
try occupies umon til ua.ions-5ff tho
Garth. Sna-~-
Oh. how felt this, in its fullest force,
but faw weeks since, when I entered
the beautiful bay of Norfolk, after near
iy years abscuco from my country
I had beoD q wandercr in distant lands,
among strange and unfamiliar faccs.-
I had seen Europe in its gayest and
most attractive aspect-I had seen all
tmat wealth and splenlor could add to
royalty anu arlstocracy; but, had also
seen human misery in its most abiect
forms, aud a slavery far worse than any
thing to which the African raco has ever
been subjected. Aud now I was return
ing 10 lho land OF my birth-my heart
was filed with indesoribabIc emotions, IA
| bcheld that magnificent harbor, its
shores covered for miles on either side,
with handsome Cottages and gardens,
elegant summer residences. and fruit
ficlds.-noble evidences as they were Of
! the increasing wealth, and the unfetter-
ed industry of free people. There, too.
the bosom of its waters was covered with
floating palaces. and countless mass
Of shipping was bearing to its shores
the produce f al parts Of tho earth.
iSlIsfl on, Steam on-I would sain have
Exclaimed, for my heart travels faster
than the propelling power beneath my
> feet. Spcc1 on, Steam on-for have
shaken from my feet tho dust of that
portion Of the earth where mea are
taught 70 believe TINT they are not crea-
ted equal, and desired to stand ngtin
upon the soil of freedom, the home OF
patriotism, and tho resting place OF die
weary. -
Let ua, then, my cohntrymcn, after re-.
. turning thanks to tho Supreme Being,
who has brought our country safely
through all the periis aud dangers which
have from time to time, threatened and
envioned her ; uftcr having rcjoiced as
freemcn alone can rejoice upon this ma
> tional day ofliborty-lc. us feel that we
havo onch duty to perform to our
country; let lis try, as far as may be iu
our power, cach iu his own section, Ia
, ipculcate feelings Of unity and friend,
ship towards all who come within the
limits Of these States aud Territories
Few as We are, wc cannot be powerlcsS
for good, and wo shall, at all events, feel
that va have discharged solemn duty
! to the memory Of our forefathcrs, and
those who purchased, with their blood
tho liberties we now cujcy. The sands
Of the sea shore arc to be counted by
separate particles, and each has its in
, tlucnoc upon the whole.
! Assembled hero together, rs we arc
in this Valley, hemmed in by those lof.
ty but silent witnesses Of the struggles
which purchased for us country aud Z
Constitution, Of which we have q iusl
right to be proud-hcrc upon the soil o
Old Firginia-the mother Of Patriot.
and Statssmcn--let US forget all party
differences, mud know no North, nc
So"th, no Fast, no lFcst let US oul,
, know aud feel, that we nre American:
y in tho trucst aud best nso of tho torn
r It is by proper cultivation Of feel
, ing like these, We will teach the nation.
OF Europe, that althou III sectional dif
y ferencea may sometimes spring up q
/ moug US, 10 disturb for moment the
/, harmony of our Union, as the nists up.
t on yondcr mountains, arc dispellcd by
@ the rays OF thu morning sun-wc will
( NS"Nh fhSNl tu"h VI III u ilCUIlSu VIlu
. dersland tho valuo Of liberty-wo will
, toach them. that wo havo duty 10 per.
form to ourselves and maukiut, and We
will perform it--though wo stand alone
against the shafts md assaults Of uni.
ted world.
, Ny proper cultivation Of feelings
like these, all party and sectional lif.
f forenccs will 10 lost sight Of, in our er.
) forts to promote the goueral good, and
, @o shall become what nasuro and
natures God entities US to bo-a f,ros.
, 1'crohs, hdvpY, and united people
, Il word Of thanks to tho ladies who
havo favored Us with their preseuoo, and
thcir Smiles Of encouragement, upon this
occasion, aud [ shall have concluded.
"An'l Eden WAS wilderness, till woman snilc,l."
Yes, gentlemen, mud our beautiful
coau,ry,with its freedom, il, noble Con.
stitution, aud all the blessings which fol.
! low In their truin-would be u wildor-
) ness, but for the smiles and encourage.
mout cf lovely woman.
Aye, they were Patriots, too, in Tho
days Of 10, md thero is something in
the charnetcr Of Amcricnn women which
! leads mo to believe, that if tho liberties
OF our country wero This day in danger,
shoy would DO patriots in SO. look
upon my ooun'rywomen as being among
tho ssaunchess supporters Of thia gov.
} ernncnt aud It's Constitution, and bc.
liovo thcy would 10 willing 10 sacrifice
their lives If necessary in It's ,lefouco.-
, Shoull tra stray too fur from tho linz Of
that duty which we owo to our country,
| bolievo they hnvo tho i;otrer and IN.
.H"e"cc to bring us buck 10 it-Onl that
they will exercise that power and iudu.
cnoc successfully, for feel assured thnt
, their devotion 10 tho best interests of
nl1r coMMIru L. c.n alnIl All A. l,n tl,,, l,,.n