Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-03-11
JACKSONVILLE, IL, Feb. 18th lS6

JACKSONVILLE, ILL, Feb. 18th 1869.
MR. Editor:
In the JOYOUS days Of youth was proud to
claim the Old Dominion as my native land,
and though time has elapsed since trod Its
sacred soil" and many miles separate me
from the loved ones at home" nevertheless
have lost none of that true attachment inhe-
rent in every Virginian for Z" the land We love" ="
Now and then, in indulging in reverIe, mem
ory will revert to the past, and ind such q
bright halo thrown around the glorious old
State that am almost iLvountarlly tempted
tore-assert that true but trite saying" there's
no place like home" and pronounce the land
of Lee. Jackson, Stuart, Ashby and such noble
spirits, far more deserving of commemoration
in verse and song than all the ancient empires
that dazzled the world and enchanted poet aud
historian centuries ago.
BIT apart from the history Of the noble old
State All the private and hallowed assocla-
tions that cluster around the name-all the
fond "reminiscences that attach to it. connected
with those for whom shall ever retain warm
place in my affections, combined, will never
cease to awaken in my bosom the liveliest emo
tions of sympathy and call forth my heartiest
well-wishes for its welfare and property.
But to think that old Jefferson -
named after the great Apostle of American
liberty-whose every feeling and sympathy be-
longs to Virginia. and whose every pulsatlon
throbs in unison with the Old Mother State,
should be given the hind teat of the baS-
tard progeny of Black Republican concep-
ton, is indeed humiliating! Jefferson County
forced to become part of the so-caIled state
of West Virginia And bad ~ witness it.
Would that it had been blotted from existence
ere this disgrace had befallen it. "Oh =! Lib
erty, how many crimes are committed in thy
name"
Although my lot for the present is cast
among the people Of State, whose recreancy
from the great principles Of Democracy de-
tracts much from its former glory, neverthe-
less find here many true souls, many trusty,
tried and warm sympathisers Of Virginia III
her sore affections. While the Republicans
may congratulate themselves Oh their magnit-
cent Com d eiat by adding to the chains already
binding the South, in refusing it representa-
ton in the halls Of legislation, | am sure
there is a divinity that overuoks us all, aud
such infamous outrdges, sooner or later, Will
burl their perpetrators 50 decpin damning per-
dition that the hand of resurrection can never
reach them. do not despair The democra-
cv of Illinois, though badly defeated at the
las election, seem resolved never - desert the
al sI,i,, Of ctate and ara hsosrsi''s- anoh. ii-
cause. Occasionally however in the great deS-
ert of Rspublicanism may he found an Oasis
and one Of these is Nor gsn County, which al
most invariahlyvoies Democratic. At the last
election, although Ex-Guv. lates, now U. D.
Senator, and Maj. Gen. Ben Grierson-the hero
of the 500 mile raid through defencee 8
country-live here aud made most de'ern'n-
ed 6aht for nggerisrn, the entire democratic
cnuntyand congressional ticket madea thorough
and complete sweep of It. john Logan, the
adjunct Of Ben Butler in that impeachment
business" wept, begged and irnporel the dear
neonle 70 save Dick" and " Ben " from this
humiliatng result, but was heeded not. Alas!
Poor John. 80
And now while am on the subject l will
speak Of