Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1868-10-03
A GARD,
B. F. BrALL, Esq.

Ediio, Spirit Of JEFFERSON:
SIN: in The las. issue OF your news.
paper Sept. l5'h.) your leading editorial
was Devoted TO .Gic,ures on the ac'ion oil
the Board of Registration OF Jefferson
County. OF this Board was member,
sssoclsled with Two other gentlemen.
30, why do YOU selec. myself. a single
member OF The Board, on whom to whet
your doughty and vslian. sword (Pen and
ink)! sm nc; lbe Board ;" the ex-
plsnarion however can be found, doubt.
less, in the impuniiy with which you
have been permitted heretofore 10 attack
and asssnt my private reputation unrea
sonably for The benefit OF your party. In
Ills last article you lake wider and more
dangerous ground, as well to yourself ss
to the peace and quiet Of the country.
On This account, aad ihs; may not be in
volved. as might otherwise be, If l did
not notice and repel the insinualions and
open declarations Of your editorial,
send you this letter for publication IN
your paper if you vii! dare do it. Your
editorial is moIy conglomeration Of
some facts out reOkiessly perverted to suit
yopr own individual purposes OF deTac.
ZION of me personally. rather than an
homes, desire 10 contribute 10 the res,ors-
ton Of peace, snd the reconciliation OF the
great body OF the people. The only
point in your article, worthy of public no.
lice, is that. in which the BOARD Of Reg
s,ralion" is charged with preconceived,
and concerted plot. TO chea, the loyal vo-
lers Of The Township Of Charestown, out
OF their elective franchise. TO sustain
this slleg alton you refer 10 The action Of
the Greenbrer district, and contrast its
course with that Of the Board of this
County and thence, without single ar
gumen, to illustrate, you charge compiled
iy, for cheating the people Of their votes.
Sensible people after reading your COM
mentary, will throw i, down in disgust
and con.ign il 10 tie oblivion i, deserves.
The Board Of Registration" Of JefTer-
son, positively claim that ia Official &C,
lion. looked in all things under the law
governing them to a fair and unbiased
polling OF The loyal votes OF The County.
without allowing their own party PssdI-
lections, TO influence their official action,
in any case. The resignation OF Mr.
Anderson, seems from the loose way in
which il was made, and he carelessness
in which il was 10 be communicated 10
the Board, to have been unfortunate.
Tie Board" is an official body, and no
single member, is authorized 10 entertain
propositions, either of petitioners or 9th.
ers. Admitting that the rumour OF An
derson's resignation had reached me by
letter or otherwise, had norighi or pow
or 10 act for the Board, in the appoint
ment Of another IN his s,esd-had done
so, doubtless, you would have charged
me with usurping The powers oi the
Board. without law this would have
been true for you. once.
My single object, in this communlca-
ton, is to djsabpse The minds OF the 10y
al people of the county. as to any pur-
pose on the part of lhe "Bosrd Of Regis
tration" 10 cheat them ou, of their cleo
tive franchise, by any preconcerted plan
10 do so, or even the wish or desire.
And now, sir, | cannot refrain from
chsrac,erzing your article as incorporate
and incendiary, leading directly 10 riot.
violence and perhaps bloodshed. In fact
you positively invite it; spill blood !
more blood !! You are utterly Ignorant
Of The horrors, you SO hippan,ly speak OIL
in phrases deliberately written and pint.
ed, when there was none to make you
afraid or 10 moles, you, in the pretty
task Of melting your neighbors and friends
10 shed each others blood. Will you be
there to zee ii
/, i'll becomes one Of your military his.
tory and record as a rebellious Conieder.
ate, 10 pirate so glibly Of the pasiime OF
shedding your neighbors blood, and bid
people "bewsre,' ;hrest TOO impor.
isp. and foolish, coming from yourself,
10 frighten any one.
In that coming CORY field, il may pc
tina, you evil no, be there 10 see" but
from its horrors, you will be then as you
were a, the close OF the war, spolless OF
human blood, as a white mouse, the most
,imid Of earthly creatures.
Respectfully.
GEORGE KOONCE,
Late Member OF the Board of Regisra-
ton of Jefferson County, West Va.
Can, 18Th 1863