The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-06-21

Of conscience. The road % fame 81
opened alike to al, and The rich, and
tie poor. the talented, and tho brave,
mingle together in the coutss. for glO-
ny; aud We have land posess0d Of al
most every variety Of soil and climate
where nature has poured from her
cornpcopia all that industry and enter
prise would ask. Now II there DO any
dangers which may threaten The con-
ti1uanee Of these blessings, they are
important to be known. that We may
guard against them. Tho price Of lib
erty said q great man, Is eternal yigi.
lance. Nations like individuals re-
member their virtues, and like indi-
viduals, they not uufrequently forget
their faults, BY some our govers-
ment is thought to be perpetual aud
the possibility Of ito decline, as a thing
assured beyond measure. Others With
perhaps less truth, consider It's con.
tinuanee up 10 the present time, as
merely accidental. If there be one
truth more clearly 10 DO learned from
history-if that voice Of the past tells
one lesson more distinctly thas anoth-
er, tits the possibility Of the decline
and fall ofany government. This Is true
and ever will be, until human NOR.
atty shall be perfect, and reason become
iniallibls. 10 theory our Constitution
may be faultless, yet we must renem-
Der how much depends upon the man.
ner 10 which tits carried into execu'
tion. This Is true Of governments
both moral and social. The christian
religion, which in preccpt is perfect,
aud in sentiment Is Just, every one
knows, has been perverted to purposes
the most cruel aud shocking, which
ever disgraced the human character.
So laws thc most humane and equita-
bic, may be made the instruments Of
oppression and injustice. Written
constitutions have frequently been the
subject Of oulogy with many writer's,
and their advantages over unwritteu
coDpacts have as frequently been
marked. In their admiration, they
seem to have forgotten, they too have
their disadvantages, Owing to the
infinite variety Of human affairs, the
written Constitution ofaay State must
Of necessity consist Of a few general
abstract principles, which q little in
genuity will eonstrue to mean any
thing or nothing as interest may die.
tate. They will not restrain the ag.
gressions Of the INSCRIPTIONS aud may
prevent tho honest and conscientious
from doing that which may DO Of ben
eft TO their country. Our oOnstitu-
ton like some noble and buoyant ship
when entrusted to the hands Of the
faithful, the skillful aud the vigilant
will ride in majesty the waves aud bid
defiance to the tempest, But when
not SO directed, she may soon be
wrecked. Though our Constitution is
the most wonderful production Of hu.
man wisdom and forethought, yet the
whole history Of the world. the peril Of
political promise aud tho ever varying
condition Of all earthly things, bid Us
not to presume 100 much, without ar
effort on our part TO preserve It. Our
government is universally acknowl.
edged to depend for It's very existence.
upon the patriotism, tho intelligence
and virtue Of the people. Assuming
these as true, itfollows as their pa,ri.
otism abatcs, their Intelligence . con.
traeted, and their virtue corrupted
Patriotism is an ardent love Of coun.
try, and though 1t frequently attaches
both to her soil aud her institutions,
yet they arc not by any means, Away
combined. It's motive is not necessa.
rily just appreciation Of the pbiloso
ply upon which government is found
cd; but ii Is often tho advantages
which result to individuals from partic
ular circumstances and situation. Aud
i'll am not mistaken the patriotism Of I
majority Of our statesmen Is Of this lattel
kind. Such was not tho patriotism o
our fathers, who spoke defiance TO Eng
land, and Independence to our coun.
try. Our present day patriotism seem
to be uncertain in lis consequsn COS
aud doubtful in its morality. Hencl
an elegant writer has observed, tina
patriotism, is but the segment Of tht
circle Of virtues. ThGmistoclSs be-
trayed bis guest for gold and afterwards
fell by his own hand, rather than car
~ war into his own country. As /
people, we perhaps possess more intelli'
gonce, than any nation upon earth
yet 1t must be confessed, that II Is moi
altogether Of that kind, whose tenden,
cy is to perpetuatc government. How
many thousands ofour citizens arc to be
found notwithstanding tho doors Of tht
school.houses arc wide open to edu.
cate their children free Of charge, arc
willing to allow them 70 attend The
schOolsf And how many thousands Of
the sutfragans Of these United States
are almost entirely ignorant Of the
principles. and reason Of their govern.
ment? The results Of some Of oul
elections speak but little for tho intel.
ligeuce and discernment Of the voters
Men least qualified for Office, are tht
first to offer themselves for the dis,
charge Of its duties. Men who arr
really qualified, are either disuustfaI
Oftheir capacity, or unwilling to en-.
| gaf,a In tbo annan,hIn ia ,.t.aS. 81 =.