The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-03-06
LETTER FROM TowsoNTowN.
For the " New Era.

For the = New Era.
ToWsoNToWN, Md, Feb. 26, 1867.
Der Err: The dreaEling, the deceit
full future, which promises SO much, and
performs SO little, except give a sweet
ening SAVIOR to the present, can never
engage all the thoughts Of hopeful man.
The mind will wander back over the
past, occasionally, and feast with pure
enjoyment upon its green oasis. Often,
when my mind is uneneumbered by the
selfish present, and | give the rein to
fancy While enjoying quiet smoke, my
thoughts wander back, and dwell with
much pleasure upon the many pleasant
| associations connected with my brief
| residence in Your town. Absence has
its pleasures and compensations, as fully
as Its sorrows and regrets; for in our
retrospective wanderings we naturally
recall that only which is most agreeable.
The unpleasant is lost sight OF, while
the pleasant comes out in bold relief, and
the inadequative adds merit to what is
really possessed. This being true, you
can We'll imagine the pleasure afforded
he by iancy's visit to old Martinsburg.
For chequered as | considered 1.-The
present" While living there, the verdict
of to-day is, that | had royal good
L
ever hold a bright place in the rosary OF
memory.
Since leaving the g far Vest have
not enjoyed the pleasure of seeing your
columns, which were read with so much
pleasure While there. Though I trust,
Notwithstanding the editorial change,
you are yet zealously engaged in the
noble work OF teaching conservatism.
There is no field where the work is more
needed than in the State of West Vir-
ginia, where the people are so sadly OPP
pressed by the tyranny and oppression
OF INSCRIPTIONS radicalism. 1t exists
there III its full growth and power. and
with all the horrid detormity which be-
longs to the beast. sSelf-righteousnes
seltishness, bigotry, hatred and malice
are lis virtues, when we compare these
vices with the terrible results which
radicalisln is rapidly bringing upon our
country. During the late war a large
number OF talented men predicted the
present condition OF affairs, in the event
OF the Government succeeding in put
ting down the rebellion, as a result of
introducing force as an element OF the
government To save Itself. Many OF us
dreaded no such consequences. We
thought and knew that force alone could
save the government from total ruin
We felt that 1t WAS legitimate to use
even military force in its most gigantic
proportions for the purpose of saving
the life Of the government. That life.
however, We believed to be the Consti-
tuition under which we lived It was
the sole basis Of the government, and if
that sacred instrument was ruined by
the use OF armies in endeavoring to save
it, then the war was a failure, and we,
who stood by the National Government
We're as guilty OF the crime Of the ruin
OF the country as those who made open
war upon it, had they succeeded.
contend that the war carried on
against those who We're i'll arms against
the National Government was g com
pi@sF' success, III to the period When
} aiikee patriotism assumed c0ntro! OF
affairs, and perverted and prostituted
the fruits ol tilat war to the accomplish
ment q. what the chivaigous people OF
the South had essayed, but failed 10 ac-
eonplish. TIE south never dissolved
the Union, veroverthreW the Govern
men1 81 fhe United S5tates-nor weaken
ed the power Of that government. She !
only fr1ea TO do these things, from one
point OF view. The complete work of
All this ipiquitY was reserved for the !
Radicals OF today, whose cowardice,
meaallass and treachery SO we'll iii them |
for the duty. Their cowardice consists |
III insulting, tranlpling upon and op- |
pressing 8 helpless and defeated people. |
Their lneanness in doing this rom self |
'sh and iustful motives; and their {
lreachery = the violation ef eV, " i
promise ferG toi0re aade that pNp!e. /
made In flE mon who {ei,o,if fin i,af3lae /
Il the Union, and in " oiation Of their I
luty as eonstitption-ievin@, law-abidin@
;liizels AND officials.
Want Of time and space forbid me
'ntering into any details 1his evening
u proof OF lie charges niaoe eamssf
diealisn. With seur permission, u