Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1869-10-02
IIarper's Ferry.

will be seen in another column, we publish INC
following letter. 1t is one OF series, from The
pen of Charles Davies, Esq, of Harper's Ferry
which appeared some tine since in The "op'ti'
Of Jefferson" and gives some minute ana ihe'-
es,ing information in re crcncc to the beginning
of things al tie Ferry.
Clancy can paint no picture OF the future that
will cIoim The same interest in the breast Of man
that the ras, does. Erected by the cunnln'
hands OF imagination and hope, and ambition,
| the ,emple of fame may rise up, but though 1t
| throw back with new splendor the gorgeous rays
Of the setting sun, memory, whether decked IN
smlcs or bahed in tear, has but 10 lift lis fin
Ger. and every pulsaiion Of the heart are hers.
! Prudence may regret this poetry may rail at
il: and philosophy-lLe wisdom OF man may
combat lis propriety!. But instinct, which is
the wisdom of God, implanted in the breast OF
man, maintains il Notwithstanding. In Inc be-
| ginning God created the world IN which we
| live; and 20 know more about the beginning,
the time OF it, and tho manner OF It, is the desire
! of every man. The biieest partCu ar, the
| smallest item Of information on the subject,
| propcrly asccrtaiued and authenticated, ranks
! frs. in the information of man Eenceiorh 1t
| is to him, lily embalmed in amber. This IS
| not enough. The leaning OF every nation has
! been given TO rescue from the confusion that
! yearly becomes more confused, the particulars
of the origin and institution Of The political sub
division of the earth, 10 hlch VIC owe aliegIanc;
| and a principle holy &c patriotism, and more nat
ural, makes dearer stil!, the history Of the spot
| where perhaps We were born, or where perhaps
we may die, or at all events, where We aow
| olive and move, and have our being And the
! man even, who Laving risen from youth OF
poverty and care, and toll to rank ana fortune,
! ard fame, he demoraIlzcd indeed, If his warmcst
! emotions are not awakened by anything, every
! thing WHICH recalls his early dayS-the cIrcum-
| stances and associates OF his youth, and above
| all thiugsof
The spot where he was born"
Unfortunately, retrospect is not always pleasant
But to tie impoverished residents OF this part
of the country, and especially Of this ruined
town, it is o comfortable ground OF hope that
| blessings are sometime disguised, and tina! the
darkest hour is the hour before day. PcrpeiGa!
prosperity like perpetual sunshine would be
! curse. The shower is us necessary TO fruitful
ness and health, and hrF pincSs, as the sunshine.
! And there are experGnCes-nvaluahle because
chastening, OF which wo should be utterly igno-
/ Tant-vr;uc-sac Observation-Disclosures II not
! for the roar of battle, which seems only 10 anil
! hilate, the storm which seems only 10 destroy.
These reflections have been suggested TO me
! naturally enough, think, by a communication
which received, and which shall lay before
| your readers, most Of whom, az :ure, VIII be
! glad 10 hear aoEethiDg Of the carly history OF
! Harper's Ferry, and its founder | might, with
/ information from other sources, make II fuller
! in some particular5; but 10 interfere III any
! way with communication that Is SO simple and
| interesting in Itself, would be attempting tho
old imposSiblity Of "gilding refined gold : 50
with many thanks 10 the author, whose lniorma'
ton and ability unite 10 make unnecessary, the
modest disclaimer in her letter, give II 10 you
just as received it,
"E. \ AS il is always pleasant to recall old
associations, many old friends and former resi-
dents Of Narper's Ferry, have been pleased
that the wei remembered stOne-siepS should be
found topic of sufficient interest to form pOr-
ton Of one of YOUR letters, and again appear IN
print. In days gone by, a Virginia poet wrote
Of them
81 followed her up the steps Of stone
To where the dead they bury;
On JciIerson's rock she stood alone,
Looking on Harper's Ferry"
Since this number your letters have been looked
COR, hoping that other surroundings might lie no.
ticed AS yet none have appeared. Thinking
hat if once interested in this subject you might
like 10 continue it, send you some items oil
facts tibet have como to my knowledge, in vari-
Gus ways, of the history of HarPer's Ferry. Not
being. as is easily seen, enough of az euthor TO
prepare them for the press, transfer them TO
you, thinking that some part of them may be
of sufficient interest to form the subject Of u
ture letter, While should feel repaid for my
troubl By seeing them in print, and know that
others feel the same interest. Respectfully,