Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-06-09
tFor the Spirit of jefferson.
The Fair at Harper's Ferry.


make good my word, L must take up far
subject.
The Fair, which has been in progress IN
! Harper's Ferry for number of days past,
| under the auspices of the members OF the
Methodist Protestant Church, terminated last
| evening with a success that exceeded, by far,
| the most sdnguine expectations OF all con-
cerned, the net proceeds amounting to about
eight hundred dollars.
The most interesting feature attending the
season of its duration, was the polling of votes
tor the presentation OF silver service to the
most popular resident minister, but was soon
narrowed down to two candidates, the lev
J. G. STEWART of the Nj. p. Church, and
| Father KANE of ST. Peters. vote was
represented by twenty-five cents, and no re-
strictions placed upon the number polIed by
each individual. Therefore, the contest was
governed by an ensemble of strange compost
tons the length of individual pockets; their
measure of fulness of the wherewith; the
| liberality of their owners their respect Tor
their favorite candidate, and their amount of
devotion for worldly gain, abbreviated of late
| to green6acks. Upon this hypothesis, will
attempt the outlines of a pen picture, Of
scenes at the polls, and elsewhere. The first
night exhibited but little display of the voters
nerves, there being but few votes cast, with
balance in favor of Father Kane. During
the following day, electioneeriug became
prevalent, and the eager conversations of lit
| tie groups on the streets and in the stores,
! betokened to the observer of our town Affairs
the coming storm of competition. The in
terest continued to increase until Tuesday
night last, when, centripetal in its nature,
friends Of the candidates were drawn eagerly
| together, and stood, oblivious to everything
II, ~ I'LL Oh, tI
coveted prize. The index to human emotions
never, to my mind, was more strongly marked
| and verified The torch of heavy vote for
one candidate, would throw its brilliant rays
| Ger the countenances of some, till they
cleaned with the smiles of expectant success,
while it cast shadow over Others and marks
| cd them with the melancholy gloom of defeat.
| And so, ntutdtis nlutanois. As faces spoke
their silent language, listened, if [ may so
express myself, with the ocular ear of detec-
| ton, and these are the whiSpcrings of indi-
vidual soliloquies "This money in my pock-
ct, l worked hard for 1t is very convc-
| nient article for person to have in possession,
but We must have that silver ware for our
minister, so, here goes" " We'll, they are
| ahead of US. l don't like much to spend any
more money for this service; have other
use for it. But our minister is worthy Of all
the honor we can pay him; III go it u hun
bred more Almost to the bottom! very little
left have voted the other, and this would Mt
be of much benefit to NE, any how. Put me
down few more - oil Stager, standing
off to one side, .ttmsA, pocket jul Of rocks,
came tn vote, came to tVin.) "Pll just stand
around and let 'cm all vote till i few moments
of the time to close the polls, and then Ill
give 'em warmer" Tho polls were closed
at | o'clock with the following result: Fa-
Their Kane, 912 Rev. James c.. Stewart,
500; scattering, Il. \ misconception of
the state Of the polls was the means of keep
ing back several hundred votes, already can
vassed, otherwise the price of the service
would have been materially enhanced.
The very proper finale, following the an
nouncemcnt of the vote took place last night
iu the fair room by formal presentation to
Father Kane of the beautiful present, by Mr.,
Chas. Davies, on behalf of the managers Of
the fair, followed by the Rev. gentleman, in
most LIBERAL lucid aud appropriate manner.
The contest being one, principally between
protestant and catholic denominations natu.
rally, reference was made to the fact Not
in spirit of sectarianism, not in strain Of
bigotry, that absorbs but the elements of its
own composition; but with that spirit OF
christian devotion to the important duties Of
humanity, which expands the smallest fbrcs
of the heart with love, till it takes within its
sympathetic grasp, Gods whole creation
Such was the tenor Of Father kancs remarks,
such is the mark of true chaistian. When
iliberality shall be erased from the minds of
men when bigotry shall sink into the bosom
Of the grave; when scctaraalsm shall find no
resting place within the precincts of moral
philosophy; we shall be able to meet upon
the broad platform of universal fellowship,
and joylully extend the right hand of broth
erly affection.
TO this standpoint of ethical science, We
must look for the highest type of civilization,
and when it shall be reached, when christians
of every denomination can join in pGcns to
God, for the gracious gift of an only bcgottcn
Son, % that whosoever will believe, shall have
everlasting lifc," the death blow to infdelity
will be struck the excrcsccnccs which have
lately shown themselves, rather, which
the Pnllipses. the Frothinghams, the Col
lyers, the Clarkcs, the Browns, the Nathaus,
and others of that ilk, are endeavoring to
engraft upon the body of social science, will
have sunk beyond the hope of resurrection.
If this be episodical, [ shall plead but one
excuse, and that the social feeling exhibited
between Protestants- and Catholics upon the
occasion which has drawn out these cursory
remarks is so in harmony with my own sem
timents and impressions, that my every tho't
upon questions of religion, is involuntariy
awakened, and were it not for cxtcnuation,
prolixity, and the appropriateness Of place,
l should be pleased to dwell upon the im>
portant question, why christians of all demon
nations should act in harmony, as to the one
great end to be attained.
Preparations are now being made for a
Catholic Fair, to be held at Harper's Ferry,
and to commence on the 9Th inst. AS their
Fairs are always conducted successfully, there
will be little risk in prediction of success
for this one At this Fair the test of who
is the most popular man in our county, (young
men not reckoned in the contest,) will be