Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-05-11
STILL BLING 1T ONI


Poor old Charlestown! Since the day
Brown came to grief by expiating his mani
fold crimes on the scaffoId, she has been the
target of Yankee hate and radical malice
Whatever could be done, has been done to
humiliate and destroy her. less ambitious
village, with craven spirited population,
would have sucumbed long ago and handed
in its checks, but not so with this old town.
She still maintains her proud position, and
inspired with consciousness of right, dehes
the petty spite of ier malicious prosecutors.
No amount of oppression can estrange the
affection of her children, and they cling to
her with devotion which declares "there is
life in the old town yet."
During the war, her public buildings were
burned or despoiled, her private residences
sacked, and her women and children, and
old men, insulted by the minions of Lincoln
and the fanatic followers OF the 'martyrcd"
Brown, but she didn't quail. She only stood
more erect in the pride of her. position, and
scerHed the hired thieves who we're paid to
do her injury. Since the war her persecu-
ton has been prompted by the same spirit,
but not of so marked character. Her vo-
ting population of sic hundred has been re-
duced to thirteen her place and name as
township blotted out her Offices filled, to
some extent, by parties who have no identity
of interest with her people, and who care lit
about her welfare and yet Charlestown
wives, and will survive Two or three Boards
of Supervisors will prove unable to extin~
guish her.
But the last stroke at her prosperity, is
what VIC design noticing at present. Under
an order of the present Board Of Supervisors,
the Jail and court house of this town are offered
at public sale. This is done doubtless, to ex
tiuguish the hope of ever restoring the county
seat to this point, and w,tiI view of retain
ing it on the borders of the county, whore
"loyalty' of tho John Brown stripe has its
most secure habitation. The officials justly
fear that if this town is again made the county
seat, and justice resumes her sway, some of
them may share the fate Of Brown. 1t is we'll.
There is another view, however, in which
the matter may present itself. Sagacious men,
if there are any such in the radical party of
this county, must know that the present state
of things cannot continue to exist until all the
prophecies are fulfilled. They know that the
people of Jefferson who pay taxes and support
lazy and incompetent officials, will not always
submit to be dragged to the extreme borders
of the county to transact official business
Hence, while they have power in their hands,
they mean to use it. All portions of the
county are to be taxed for the erection of
public buildings at Shepherdstown; the county
property here is to be sold, and the funds
placed in the hands of ONE loyal citizen.
and shen-the next Legislature of West Vir-
GINA, or some subsequent one, will pass bill
for division of the county, the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad to constitute the dividing line.
This proposition will be submitted to the
''loyal" voters of Chapline township, where it
will of course carry, and Shepherdstowu will
become the county-seat of the new county
Old Jefferson may then whistle for the funds
realized from the sale of the property here, or
take check on the Hagerstown Bank, only
to have it protested. Do you see the drift ?
It looksplain and unmisakabIe.