The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1861-10-25

Nct ~ Harpef's Ferry,it6 ~
A7year ago. and this village nestled
down between the spurs Of the South
Mountain. with the ewaters OF she Potomac
an-ithe Shenandoah sweeping in curves
on either side Of it, their babbli mur-
murs waking up an echo 10 the surround
ing hills, which was only drowned by the
laundering OF the long train of cars, pro.
pelled by the iron horse. creeping like a
huge snake along the serpentine track o {
the B. Il OR r., impar,ing life and
business TO the place; was enjoying a
highitide of prosperity Her large flour
ing mills weie groaning with the produc-
tions of their late harvest, and hundreds
Of barrels Of -four were packed, branded
and shipped each day for market. The
National Armory located in her bosom, a
source Of wealth to her citizens, giving
employment TO large number Of hands,
was moving forward with its clock work
precision, turning out arms and munI-
tions of war for the Government, VIII ose
partially had favored her with its location
Her business men were driving a brisk
trade. and her, citizens were all enjoying
the benefits and quietude flowing from
the fostering care Of the Government,
whose aim it has been ever since its found
alton, to protect its citizens in the le-
climate business of life. throwing over
them its, broad shield. inscribed with
equality, peace and happiness. Her cit
izens, too, for the most part: cherished the
Government, loved the Union, and hon
ored the good old aag-the fssars and
Stripes. s.l & s M.
But, alas for her, few restless, dis
appointed. ambitious office seekers in the
Old Dominion, who had been fed at the
public crib for years, seeing in the change
ofthe Federal Government for four years,
by the election Of Lincoln to the Presi>
dency, change in their chances for con-
tinuance in Office, leagued together, and
by solemn com pact determined to take is
sue with the Government, and by pro-
cess Of mean and unning gerrymandring,
operated on the minds of those composing
the State Convention, who had been cleo
ted upon the basis Of the Union, carried
with them enough to pass tile ordinance
OF secession, aud by that act. raised the
standard of rebellion, thus placing the
State in open antagonism to the Federal
Governpent., and opening wide her doors
for the entrance of the nlinions of JEFF
Davis. who have been ever since 30 pos
session Of the "sacred soil, and ruin and
devastation have followed ia their wake.
Harper's Ferry has been made to feel
most keenly the blight Of this army Of
rebels. Her mills have been burnt, her
armory destroyed. Der shops and bust
ness houses closed, her citizens have fed
for their lives to Maryland, her public
Improvements rooted up, and the, pure
waters oi the Potomac and Shenandoah
have been crimsoned with the blood Of
her brethren. She. now stands alone in
her desolation many, of her public
buildings. a charred heap of ruins, Of all
her fair daughters but few remain to tell
the tale of what she once was. Oh
most terrible has been the rod laid upor
her by her friends Of, the rebel govern.
ment. She stands. as beacon light te
warn other points along the line of tn,
border Slave. States, of what their fat,
viii be if they open their doors to tb'
invaders of the National Government, M
permit the hellish, work Of concoctine
plans to oyerturn the Federal Constitu
ton, and with it the rights of man to e
on in their midst. sz-
Harper's Ferry, romantically, beau'i
fully situated--onces the admired Of al
passing travellers, the home Of a brave
industrious and loyal people, but no,
cut off from communication with th
North. with her arteries Of trade destroy
n + = ~
ed. her dwellings deserted, or only in
!, habited by bands Of rebel soldiers, he
churches desccrated to the foul use 9
r barracks. and her lofty hilltops whit
with the tents of rebels, with her
aud there weapons Of death, well mount
cd to beat back the onward march Of tn
federal army. Most richly hast tho
been repaid by thy mctber, in tearin
thee with her. from the fond embranc
IN which she was bound for eighty-fou
years, with the confederation OF the State
Of this glorious Union.
.;r,ss Hon. IL. RoteIer.
-gs. This gentleman, gifted by nature wit