Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1872-06-22
For the Register.
LETTER FROM CHARLESTOWN.
June II, 1872.

MIR. LITTLE-lhe decoratlon OF the
graves of the Confederate dead in Edge
Hill cemetery just on the eastern skirt
of Charlestown partook more of spon-
taneity Of feeling and action than pre-
concerted, studied and marked out pro
gramme. We gathered at the graves,
prayer was offered, hymn was sung,
the flowers were strewed, fingered
awhile and then dispersed. Such course
is very well and commends itself strong
", but / think little more OF system
and order, a little more OF 'l''acnnle ~
n strike the senses would have been De-
coming and have added to the imPies-
siveness of the occasion. "A P"o'io "''-
dress Of moderate length, minus 'he
fre-eatinc words that some orators are
won, ~ inter, would have been well;
Spcb an Grafton as Won were favored
with at your decoration by our EG"n9
and talented townsman, W. l.. " ilson,
Fso,-a model one of It's kind Then
,oo 7 like at such times music, sweet,
soI,nn music to stir the soul, play upon
80 FINER cords. and awake its holler emo
lions in symphony with the scenes and
nbiect The heroic dead Here they
lie They fought for what they believ-
cd 10 be sacred and true. They fought
wel-bravely, daringly. They fought
to conquer. They failed, lis not
their fault, Their motives live. Their
actions are untarnished. They lie here
in serted rows. A proud mausolem
rears its stately head as if to keep its
watchful vigils over their sleeping dust.
1t is a noble monument of affection and
lovo-put there by faithful and devoted
women, at cost of S2,5O0-thcre 1t
stands in solemn grandeur with its bat
tie heraldry, cannon, muskcts and sa-
bers escutcheoned on its sides-its pc
destal, a covered urn. There are about
two hundred of the silent sieepers with
in the inclosure. They will be well
cared for. Tears will be dropped and
sweet flowers scattered yearly over their
quiet resting places. Our community
turned out very generally to pay their
annual tribute Of patrioticaI affection
Ii is a green spot in lite-cn GASES in
the desert way May they keep pace
with the rolling years and marching
generations until the last syllable of re-
corded time shall have been sounded
A people forgettul Of their Doble and
heroic deeds are unworthy such an his
toric association. Whatever they may
have once possessed, they now, are ut
,erlv destitute of those stern and holy
virtues that 90 to make up the true
greatness and nobility OF nation. They
are wholly dcbauchcd from the purity
and simplicity of primal truthfulneSs
and arc sunk to the condition of brutal
nature. 1t will be dark day for our
Southland when such is its declcusion
We can not conceive 4 more deplOrable
experience and one to be more sincere
" deprecated May Heaven forbid such
ever to be the fate of our population.
The harvest time is at hand. This
has ever been a season of active toll and
hearty rejoicing, Such was its import
and interest way in the oldcn time be
longing to the Jewish economy, that it
was deemed worthy distinct and mem
orablc celebration, termed the ftnSi Of
harvtSL 1t is we'll for us 10 make it as
q sure confirmation Of Gods goodness
and faithfuneSs. His goodness mani
fest in sending the early and latter rain,
the healthfUl maturing sunshine and
warmth. His faithfulncsS in giving the
bountitul return to the laborcr and an
enduring evidence of his righteousness
in dealing with his creature man for
he has recorded for our helief,that while
the earth endurcs seed time and harvest
scattering and gathering shall continue.
The WELD Of the precious cereal promis
IS to be a fair one in this immediate sec
ton. There are some feds that are
richly laden and will give an abundant
return. Whilst there are very many,
the yield of which will be meagrc. The
former favorable prospect is doubtless
owing to thorough preparation of the
ground, the free sowing of the seed and
the protuSe use of fertilizers. This
foresight will be amply rewarded, the
want of it, will meet with scanty re-
turns.
Each season has its particular need
and outlay, such are our correctional
relations and dependency OF association,
that in the pursuits of life We are forced
into each Others mart and traffic. The
mechanic furnishes the instruments Of
husbandry, the merchant the indispen-
sable supplies, whilst the farmer gives
back bread TO the cater, the staff and
support of life. And strange to say,
that yillainous stuff called whisky enters
into the calculation and falsely, has OBJ
tanned the place of being a prime neces-
Sity IN the harvest field, as if blazing
mid summer sun was not enough to
heat and men required an artificial slim
ulant to fire the blood and brain. Hence
the dealers IN the article, taking aivan-
tage Of the season are getting a fresh
supply of rCd-rys, and are keen to adj
vertise harvest whisky, (none the better
though for the prefix and would real
ize harvest time in their unhoIv traffic.
| verify believe if the matter was fairly
tested it would he splendid triumph
for cold water, natures pure beverage.
versus alcoholic drinks Would that
our farmers could be indused to prac-
tice total abstinence in the harvest field
from all that intoxicates and thus give
their help to the maintenance of tenn
perance. For ,ohisky let them Substi-
tute good coffee, beverage that exhil-
L.. -. ;p+ov;ratas and their