Year: 1876

| huuuWnu Nulley certainly uuNe Hu
cause to complain of Mr.. Hereford,
and we ask them, together with the
psopleofthe lowereoanties, ,togive the
subject some serious consideration,
and not rashly commit an act fol
which they may have bitter cause to
regret
speech Of ], bob AgcEsuilln, de-


liyered at the Celebration held


nj Point Pleasant, duly 4th.


Ledie and Ga9le0


ISis4 surprising pleasure % me
to be called upon to address as an
intelligent an audience as this, who
have assembled here upon this great
day to celebrate the Declaration of
Independence of l776.


Though it is a very embarrassing
situation for me, when | look around
over this immense body of men and
see so many of my old and honored
friends whose locks are silvered DER
by the frosts of many winters, who
would be more competent and would
be more honored and more respected
in this position, than the dark brown
locks of twenty odd summers. And
again when l look around ! behold so
many pretty faces of the fairer sex,
it almost makes me sink to the bot
tom of obscurity, for fear that may
not be able to fulfil their expectation;
but as | am young man, and this
is my first effort, trust you will lend
to me the critics ear, and extend to
me sympathising heart,


AS | have chosen the law for my
profession i intend to exertmy vigor
as to its success. Not for myself
alone do / intend to live, but for the
interest of the people and the i'm
provement Of our noble little State
Of West Virginia.


Our country by other nations, has
long been very appropriately denom-
mated the Great Republic. Our flag
the stars and tripes-that floats
over us to-day, had her banner un-
furled to the breeze more than a hun
dred years ago to-day, us a standard
banner of our nation, which denotes
in itself Liberty and Union.


Our Flag of all others has been al
most universally respected, and as
our ships have entered foreign shores
they have been hailed with cheerful
acclamation, such as only proceed
from the most friendly source.


And as our citizens have crossed
the mighty deer, and penetrated otlii
.er realmS $ha' with nFoud
zens ofthe Gfeat.ltepubiic


Hero the anxious and patriotic cit
izen may inquire, need we expect
that our country will ever be resto-
red to its former position Of influence
and prosperity?-but change only
is being wrought which will result
probably in great good to this once
peaceful and happy nation. 1t has
through the emancipation proclama-
ton freed millions of slaves. 1t has
furnished thousands with the privi-
leges of an education, of which they
have heretofore been deprived, 1t thas
reused the nation to- a new train of
thought and leaves our noble country
in a deep study. We may wait the
coming of a happier day, when the
soil, which was once our country's
pride and hope by the assistance of
our whole people, shall be restored
to its former position of peace and
prosperity.


If you, my countrymen, will at
once be persuaded to entertain the
like sentiments; if each of you will
be disposed to approve yourself a
useful citizen to the utmost that your
station and abilities enables you; if
the rich will be ready to contribute,
and the young to take the field; in
one word, if you will be yourselves,
and Danish those hopes which every
single person entertains, that the
active part of public business may
lie upon others and we can remain
at our ease; you may then, by the
assistance of the Gods, recall those
opportunities which our supincss has
neglected, regain our dominions and
chastise the insolence Of our fellow
countrymen.


But when, oh when, my country
men, will you begin to exert your
vigor? Will you wait until reused
by some dire event2 Or will you
reach forth your hand with a free
heart and a willing mind, to improve
our country?


Beware look not with so eager an
eye to those fatal possessions which
will also be the grave of your strength
and virtue, Should you be SO unfor-
tunate as to obtain them.)


Those are daily dropping from
among us who established our liber-
ty and our government. Those who
signed the Declaration of lndepen-
1 1 - "a.