Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-01-24
HARPRR,s FERRY RELIEF FnNn.

Those who are really the friends Of the peO-
pie Of Harper's Ferry aud have at heart It's
good name At home aud abroad, have been
panied at the action which has been taken,
snd unnecessary publicity given. in regard to
the Relief FuHd, 80 generously donated to the
sufferers BY the recent food. Immediately
after its sad occurrence, the citizens of the
place who had escaped, in part at least. the
wreck aud ruin Of their less fortunate neigh-
bOTs, organized Relief COnmittes-set forth
the extent Of the appalling calalamity, aud
appealed TO christian brotherhood for that
material aid and assistance which deaitution
and suffering made imperative. This appeal
was literally, generously responded to on the
part on the people a. home aud abroad, and
indeed to an extent greatly in excess Of what
the most hopeful had anticipated. The gen.
tlcmen TO whom the collection and distri6u.
ton Of this fluid was committed, were those
whom the community had always hitherto re-
garded as its most Trustworthy aud influential
citizens Some were we'll and favOr6ly
known to the people Of the county aud State,
aud had w"rthily filed djaereut positions in
the administration Of its affairs. With Com
mittee thus constituted, it was but reasonable
to presume that it would discharge the diff.
hcult aud labOriOus duty of distribution, with
a sound discretion and an eye siugly to the
claims aud requirements Of the needy and
suffering. That the Committee so did, to the
fullest extent of its power, honestly, faithfully,
persCveringIy, ICE do not entertain doubt
nor do any others cOnversant with the facts.
10 matter Of this kind, il is simply etarac-
teristic of human nature, that dissatisfaction
would arise with some and heartburnings,
jeaIOusies and complaints with others. The
Committee would have been more than men
if less than gods, had they expected to Jeuder
satisfaction to all. But that the chickering's
aud complaints Of few discordaut spirits
should have assumed to give publicity to their
private griefs, is as unjust aud ungrateFul to
the Committee, as it is mortilying aud dis
creditable to the county. The accusation that
we see has obtained currency IN many OF our
exchanges, "that some members Of the Conn
mittee appropriated the fund to their own
relief" is simply an absurdity and has been
Tegarded-until its second Tepetition-as I'M
worthy Of notice. Conscience of good intention
in the laboriOns aud thankIess duty assigned
them nimpeached hitherto in their person.
al integrity at home or abroad-it was deemed
that the RalevOlence or erroneous impressions
which suggested the charge. would perish
with the hour. And 50 it would, had not the
maIcOnteuts TesOTtsd to n second publication
through the Baltimore Ame, icdM OF the 10Th
instant. That article VIC have not peeu, but
its purport may be judged Of by the full aud
complete RErRAXIr OF its slandcrous impu-
tatiODs, and the indignant deuill Of its au-
thenticated proceeding, by the assumed Presi-
dent aud Vice President Of the meeting, pub
llshcd in the same Journal On the Thursday
following. Iu common justice, Us u public
journalist, We have declned it our duty to say
thus much to rebuke error aud vlndIcate
truth, aud hope our brethren OF the press who
have tnO readily given credeuce to false and
unworthy accusations against honorable aud
worthy men, will render n like service.