Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-04-17
A THOUGHT.

"Oft have thought I would sooth my dying hour
| II ausht may soothe when life resigns her power,
| To know some humber grave, some narrow cell.
Would hide my bosom where it loved to dwell"
/ A recent glance at the "Grave Yards" attached
to Martnsburg, has convinced US that something
ought TO be done at once to improve their cordi-
ton. We have but two public Burial Places, and
it seems to us "passing strange" that more care
and attention is not bestowed upon keeping them
| in repair. The graves of our departed friend.
are suffered to be lrodden down, with as much i'm
punity and neglect, as though they contained the
bodies OF tho beasts OF the fields, instead of the for
mer tsnements,o of immortal souls who have passed
into an etcrnai world. The Goths and Vandal;
seem to have taken possession of these resting pa-
ces of the dead-as scarcely monument or toni
erected TO the memory of departed worth or fond
affection has escaped the rude end defacing touch
of the unfeeling and ignorant. 1t indeed makes
one feel melancholy to stroll through our Grave
Yards, and think at this time of day, and in an
enlightened and Christian community, so little res
pect is paid to the dead.
We fear as long as our Craze Yards are kept as
they are, not much improvement can or will take
place in their condition The dimensions of the
old Yards are entirely too small and they are
now so filled with graves as scarcely to admit any
particularly the Lutheran Yard. A thought
upon this subject has struck US, which we will
merely throw out for the consideration of the psb
lie. We have thought the establishment Of Pub.
lie Cemetery near town would prove highly useful
to the whole community. We know Of no place
better situated for such an undertaking, than Mar
tinsburg. Let some of the beautiful hills sour
rounding the town be selected for the purpose
the land purchased-a company formed and incor-
porated by Act of the Legislature, under whose
direction the affairs of the Cemetery shall be con-
Quoted. Two acres of land might be purchased
moderate amount per share or lot, so as to bring
its advantages within the resch of the poor as well
as the rich. We have mentioned two acres-5ut
if that be not enough, let more be purchased, be-
cause il the Cemetery be established, Sexton
should be employed to attend to it daily and take
care of all improvements which may be there
erected. A house should be built for him, and
lot attached to it as garden--out of which, were
he man of taste, he might add much to his own
comfort and profit, as well as the beauty OF the
place and the Improvement and cultivation of a
refined taste in the community. When the grounds
Of the Cemetery laid out let them be beautified
with gravel walks, trees, &c and such other pri-
va,e and ornamental improvements as the taste of
private lotholdsrs may dictate. In order that
this enterprise should be successful, all sectQrian
feeling ought TO be carefully excluded from it, and
ample provision made for the accommodation Of
those Of our Fellow Citizens who are not able to
join in the undertaking-and also all strangers who
may happen to die in our community. We have
thought it not inappropriate to make these remarks,
and should be highly pleased to lay before our
leaders the thoughts and idea, of any of our cti-
zens who may choose to communicate them through
our columns. We know several gentlemen who
might ins,ruc, and snlighten the community upon
this interesting subject! Will they do i'll