Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-08-16
END OF THE VOLUME.

This number, the flty-second, completes the
first volume of our new series. Wehavestrug-
glcd under many difficulties the past year in a
community which had been over-run and deS-
poilcd for four years by contending armies, and
subjected to degree of Vandalism from the
.conquerors altogether unworthy Of the age and
country in which we i've
The fruits of forty years labor were ruthless
ly destroyed by retreating incendiaries, who
seemed tounderstand the use Of the hggot bet
ter than that Of the sword; but even worsethan
that, our once prosperous and respected c9un-
tv-the garden spot Of the Old Dominion
has been struggled from its good old mother,
and transferred to a bastard government, to be
ruled, with few exceptions, by intolerant skulk-
ers. scarce one ofwhom had the nerve to test the
steel Of an adversary on either side of the ques-
ton.
We have been content to send forth the " Old
Family Journal, the past year, with curtailed
proportions, rather than involve ourselves be-
yond our means; but inspired by the hope of
better days, after our farmers shall have had
time to cultivate the soil with their wonted vi
COR, and the bounties of Providence shall have
been showered upon them in the profusion
which the suspicious season now promises, we
shall toll on-and watch and wait
Amidst the clouds and darkness of the past
year, we have had many cheering words and
some substantial tokens of remembrance from
distant friends and from some at home; but
as soft words do not butter parsnips,' we
must invoke the material aid which imparts
life and spirit to all enterprises, and especially
to newspapers.
We trust the commencement Of the second
volume may be greeted in a true business and
friendly vein, and that in few months more
we may be able to resume our former dimen-
sions. 1t may not be out of place here to state
a few facts which might be overlooked that
whilst the advance price of the Free Press
is only 20 per cent upon the old rate, the cost
of paper has advanced one hundred per cent,
type Siriy per cent, and labor in the same pro-
portion, whilst every body knows that the prom
inent articleSpf living are mostly upto the war
standard, and abating very slowly indeed
These are matters worthy of consideration.
Liberal and fair minds viii give them their due
weight. Communities are judged by the news
papers they support, and these papers are ne
cessarily the guardians of the public veal
they become institutions, inspiring noble ac-
tons, intoxicating love Of home and venera-
ton for the memories of the men and women
who have passed from the stage of life How
many tender recollecHons Of tho past has the
Press awakened and caused to be cherished
within the last forty years we need not recite.
The people of Jefferson, after passing through
an ordeal more severe than that to which older
communities have been subjected, and consign-
ing to the tomb some of the best and bravest
of her sons, have yet many mementoes Of the
sacred past. How well has the printer-poet,
Woodwork, depicted these memories -
Chow dear to the heart are the scenes Of my child
hood,
When fond recollection presents them to view!
The orchard, the meadow, the deep-tanged wild
wood
And every loved spot which my infancy knew;
The wide-SPreading pond, and the mill which stood
BY it,
The bridge and the rock where the cataract fell /;
The cot Of my father, the dairy-house nigh it,
Ande'en the rude bucket which hung in the well"