Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-06-11
Ladies' Fair.
Methodist Protestant Church, Harper's Ferry

purpose Of finishing the congregations church
on Camp Hill, it was a complete success. The
last pair of slippers was sold, the last plum cake
was auctioned of, the lights were out, before
the crowd of visitors left the place, where they
had spent so many pleasant hours, and laid out
SO much money. The financial result Of the
Fair was most gratifying, and will enable an
other congregation, in short time, as IN the
good old times before the war, to meet together
each sabbath, to offer their united thanks and
prayers, to the author and giver Of all good
things. A most agreeable feature of the Fair,
was the good feelings evinced and the material
assistance given by the Catholic portion OF the
people. A sentiment of christian brotherhood
seemed to exist, which it is to be sincerely
hoped, will never subside
Many pleasant incidents Of the Fair have
come to our knowledge, which we regret we
have not time and space to give; but there IS
/ one which we cannot omit mentioning. sill
yer pitcher, waiter and goblet were voted for,
| the candidateSto be resident clergymen. There
/ is no way of describing either the excitement,
enthusiasm, or good feeling which prevailed,
/ and which increased each evening to the close
/ Of the polls. when, the contest being between
/ the Rev. Mr.. Stuart of the Methodist Protestant
! Church. and Father Kane, the latter, with a
/ majority Of AZ, was declared the victor. Will
/ il be believed, that 1895 votes were cast, net
ting the handsome sum Of S449.
On Thursday evening Father Kane and hosts
/ of his friends being present, a ceremonious pre-
| seutatiOn took place. At 10 o'clock MIR. Yam
| It's called the crowded audience TO order, and
introduced Mr. Charles Davies, who spoke as
/ follows:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen
Father Kane, The lady managers of the Far,
of the Methodist Church, the amiable and will
ling representatives Of popular opinion on the
present occasion, with too fattering partiall-
/ ty. have entrusted to me the agreeable task, Of
presenting to you this service of silver.
Immersed as | know you are, in the inter-
esting duties Of Your sacred calling, you may
not have been aware, that for some evenings
past. the people of the neighborhood irreSpec-
tive Of religious differences, have been engaged
in an exciting contest, for the purpose OF set
Ting the question: who is the most popular
resident clergyman of Harper's Ferry That
question has been settled. The contest went
on from evening to evening. After awhile the
issue was between yourself and the Rev. Mr.
Stuart ~ length, after a most gratifying and
complimentary vote for Mr. Stuart, the result
cave Won a majority. you triumphant
declared YOU the privately aut publicly atteSted
favorite, amongst the clergy Of this place. 1t
was not. let it be understood q question as TO
Paul or Apollos, as to who planted, or who wa
tered but the perfectly innocent one free from
all Scctari3ui,m, of personal Partially. Oi all
this, sir, You may be we'll proud. 1t seems to
me. that the djadem Of a monarch, bears no
comparison, in point of value. to the unbOusht,
uupurchaSable because priceless love, Of a chris
tiau congregation for its faithful pastor.
Ii Is under these circumstances, that | now
present 20 YOU this beautiful service of silver.
Aud although know you will value it for Its
intrinsic worth and admire it for its artistic
beauty, am much mistaken, if YOU will not
always principally regard it as being mute
but eloquent tribute. attesting the love of your
people; and an evidence, of the high place
which as a gentleman and a christian clergy
| man, You hold in the estimation Of all classes
Of your fellow citizens.
There is a consideration, suggested by this
contest. and by this assembly, which | cannot
sit down without adycrting to. We are here
tonight. catholicaud protestant, and protestant
and catholic. mingling together like one people.
Every word said, every thought felt, every arr
that hrcathes alike innocent Of even the shadow
Of bigotry, bound together by sentiment OF
human and holy brotherhood, and ready, for
each other, TO perform every much good Office.
This being the case, | ask you sir, If you will
not Join with me in the invocation to this dawn
mgcra Of good feeling-esto perPetad.
The infdcl Gjbbon charges christian Rome,
with an intolerance, which he says, was not
known TO the pagan world. Why-wby alb
why has history give. why does history con-
tiuue to give, such a basis for the attacks, of
the rcvilers of the christian religion | can
answer for myself When the fantcSt spirit
when the dimmeSt shadow of bigotry or intol-
lerance falls across my heart, ! shall be willing
to see the last drop of its liie's blood flow out.
In the land of the hereafter, to which, with
rapid steps, we are all fastening. the green of
the catholic and the orange Of the protestant
shall be Observation-Disclosures in the snowy
white Of the robes, the color, emblematic OF
purity. of the redeemed children Of God. My
task is DONE Honor est premium rirtlde. 1t
is your worth that won this prize. And let
me say to those around me: " Go then aud do
likewise and as in your case sir, so it will be
in theirs, the result will be, the respect, the adj
miraton, the love of the people. Cheers.
We regret that we have not a copy of the re-
ply of Father Kane, nor can we attempt to re-
IL on memory He gratefully accepted the
service not by any means as q proof Of his
superior popularity, but as a proofof the devo-
tion and love Of his own people, and the good
will of the people at large. With graceful
| moGeSty he disClaimcd his superior popularity,
for since his Rev brother, Mr. Stuart, who is
a mere stranger here, polled nearly as large a
vote. the honor Of success belonged to him
lie was glad to hear, that notwithstanding the
great excitement that prevailed, the best feel
ings existed to Why, indeed, should this not
be the case T.? If we live life Of piety and re-
ligion here. it is as brothers that we shall meet
aud uugle before the throne Of our heavenly
father Why, therefore, should we not act like
brothers here. [Cheers.l
The remarks Of Father Kane, which were
I quite heightened, gave universal satisfaction.
The lady managers Of the fair, received so
much assistance in and out of the church, that
| it would be invidious 70 mention names but
/ truth 10 say. Mr. s. V Yantis was mdeiatiga-
| Die. The Catholic fair will, we understand
/ commence next week, when we trust to see an
other proof Of the good feelings and generosity
/ of our friends in the Ferry.
IMPORTANT DECISIoN-RICHMoND, VA,
June S.-Cbief Justice Chase in a case to-day,
charged the jury to the effect that all bonds,
drafts, notes, &c, drawn during the war in the
rebel States payable in loyal States are illegal,
| aud cannot ha recovered m law