The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-05-23

the fact until he came and witnessed it.
The descent from Altamont to Piedmont
exhibits the grandest scenery on the road.
We here wind around the side of huge
mountain with the Savage river dashing
beneath us. For miles the forest scenery
is unbroken except here and there patch
of cleared ground and arude cabin. The
lofty mountains are clothed with stunted
oaks; occasionally clump of tall dark
pines or hemlocks rear their heads above
the surrounding trees, and add further
majesty to the scene. Looking down upon
the dashing stream, the wild, unbroken
wilderness almost impels one to follow its
meanderings in search Of the Indian pad
ding his bark canoe There is about the
scenery agrand, dreary magnifcence which
no words or pencil can ever paint.
Passing Piedmont the scenery softens
down, and although huge mountains are
within view, there are cultivated valleys
which give relief to the MUD, after COM
templating the views "wild above rule or
art" along the Savage river. The Poto'
mac along which the road here passes is
broad shallow and rocky stream, filled
with bars and small islands.
At Cumberland ou- party spent the
night in order to have daylight view of
the remainder of the road. This City
was once one of the most important west
of Baltimore and did large business
west of the Alleghenies. But the rail-
roads have robbed it of its commerce, and
ii: is now scarcely. thought of as a bust.
ness point.
At eight on Saturday morning. we
we're on our way again down the Potomac.
We halted to view the ruins of Fort Fred
eric, erected in 1855 as defense against
the Indians. The old moss covered walls
are in a tolerably good state of preser-
fields surrounding it make an odd contrast
between the works of war and peace.
All along the route thus far the excur-
sionists had been warmly received. At
every village crowds were gathered, salutes
were fired, and from the smallest boys
upward, all shouted ard waved their hats;
bands of music were stationed at various
points, and every means Of manifesting q
hearty welcome was adopted. But Mar
tinsburg, iu this, out did all the rest The
hotels were decorated with banners with
| out, and with flowers aud wrea:hs within
Two military companies were present, one
of infantry and the other of artillery
Salute after salute was fired with the mus
/ kets, while the cannon doomed at inter
! walls of half minute. Several speechei
of welcomes and thanks we're made, ani
as the cars started shout went up tha
made the welkin ring. gssaaf ~
j AT Harpers Ferry another reception
! awaited US similar 20 that a: Martinsburg
Two military companies received US ant
} conducted as through the armory build
ings where we had full view of the seen
of John Browns sdepredations. Man
. of the buildings in the neighborhood ex
3 hibited marks of the balls, aud one wa
almost rideled with them. The spot
, were pointed out where many of the slai
. fell. In the procession were several pc:
! sons, one of them lame from wound re
l ceived in the fight, bearing specimens Z
D the arms and utensils of Brown. Speeche
!, of welcome and thanks were made, alst
= at this place. eesas
3 From Harpers' Ferry to Baltimor'
: there are many objects deserving of nc
!. tice, but an attempt to do justice to q
8 these would swell into volume what
i. intended but for sketch. ~
/. We arrived in Baltimore at six o'cloc
S on Saturday evening On Monday ever
3 ing grand banquet was given at th
t Eutaw House, at which the usual ameu.
of wine was drunk, and the usual numb,
n of speeches made and toasts given. Abol
. Fifty editors including ourself, did not r.
il main for the banquet, but went to Wasl
q ington on Monday morning TO hear Jel
y Davis make his long talked Of speech.
o The Senate is q grave and digniie
c body, and rarely indeed is anything sal
or done unworthy of the highest legisl'
q tive tribunal on earth. From the gallel
], but an unsatisfactory view can be Obtain
]. ed of the members. JEFF. Davis, Il
d speaker on this occasion, is tall spa
e man, apparently not far from fifty 3
e. speaks with deliberation, choosing b
d words with care, and gesticulating on
, I whon saving somethinD with nnusual an