The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-03-16
Manchester, we.tmin .ter. Mexico.

Manonester, Westmln ster, mexico.
A writer 10 the Hagerstown Free
Press, over the signature of "Dcad.
Head" has been doing" the West
cru Maryland Rail Road, and makes the
following mention of the above named
places in Carroll. His letter is dated
9th February. 1t will be seen that he
does not deal in aattery, while he is emf.
neutly unjust towards our fellow citizens
Of Manchester. We forgive him for
calling the Sentinel Democrat He
probably meant no ctlence.
AtsH a. NJ, on Saturday morning. took
the train, and returned homeward as far as
Westminster, concluding not to continue my
journey until the following Monday. Leaving
any baggage ct the hotel, | gave Manchester a
flying visit. short notice Of which NAV not
be without interest,". Manchester has about
1900 inhabitants, nine miles from Westminster
and twelve from Hanover, Pa, lying directly
on the Baltimore pike. II is an old town, the
citizens OF which are complacently resting 10
| the same cradle 10 which their forefathers were
most Of whom are agricuturists, and have
Manchester as kind OF meeting place TO squirt
tobacco Juice, and talk about their ''Faihor-
land" further than this il is doubtful II the
place will ever reach any significance. Judg-
ing from the plain and simple sly Of residen-
ees, and the unassumiDg attire OF those met
upon the street, do not think aristoeraoy
has much dominion there. The adjacent soil
is for the most part clay, capable 81 keeping
the people from starvation, aud that seems to
be adequate to their desires. The people evil
| IDENTIFY believe that railroads are dangerous to
moral interests, aud admit too many yankee
notions for the good aud peace Of society.
They have pike running through the town,
and that seems to satisfy their ambition. The
town Is blessed with one newspaper, which is
tolerably well supported.
Since my absence, have been 10 Mexico
yes, to MeIico-not the lettering republic Of
| the south west-but 10 the Mexico of Carroll
county. This Is the name Of tavern on the
Westminster road, before which hangs pow
eTful sign, intimating to travellers that re-
treatments can be found within. | entered
aud procured better dinner for thirty cents
than some Of our "arst-class" hotels would
give ma for dollar.
In the afternoon. found myself IN West
minister. II was blowing a keen northwcster
but, wrapping my mantle about me, sailed
forth to see whatever Of interest belonged to
the town. wended my way to the cemetery
which was neatly enclosed, and the order aud
taste with which the tombs and grounds were
arranged, were evidences Of the fact that the
dead were not forgotten. 10 the centre Of the
cemetery stood an old brick church, which
probably could date its erection a couple OF
centuries back. As stood there gazing upon
the silent homes Of the dead, | for moment
imagined myself a poet, aud peneilod a few
verses, commencing with
What are all lifes pleasures worth
What are all its dreams7
Its giorics are but paltry dust
lb joys but passing CLEANS.
As ! was gazing upon the thckly clustered
| graves, the sexton entered the cemetery to dig
another graVe-an old man bad passed away
| to his rest walked through the old church,
which was strewed with rubbish shattered
| glass lay ihickly upon the floor, and the cold
wind came through the panelcss windows !;
dust had gathered thiekly upon the high, old
| fashioned desk, and everything betokened that
the old edihce had long since been leil to de-
cay. Old church, where are thy worsbipersl
/ Something seemed to whisper from the sepul-
/ chfal depths "ilere we are scattered around
| the old building, into whose courts we once
mingled. Her walls resonBded With our songs
Of praise, aud from her desk we listened to the
| words Of life. But no sound comes up from
her altar but the chirpings Of the swallow or
| the shrieks OF tie winter winds that rush Wild
ly through her crumbling remains" left
| the more modern structures which have been
| built for the more fastidi0us worshipers of the
/ present day. These edihecs exhibited a fair de-
gree Of architectural beatty, bat doubt il they
! will ever gather around them so many sacred
memories as characterize the old church Ia the
cemetery. Westminster evidently POUNDS her
| prosperity on the one street principle. This
reminds me Of Greeley's political prospects
| upon the one-term principle. From present
| indications, both Greeley and Westminster will
| fail to make any favorable impression upon the
future. The town presents very huc appear
| anee from the railroad, which 1t does not sus-
4 tain after close examination. All the enter
/ prise seems to be centered at the depot, but as
one advances further into the town, he finds
/ ON every hand traces Of the inactive spirit
/ which characterized her before she was arous-
/ ed from her slumberS by the whistle Of the
| Western Maryland. The people are talking
| about manufactures Of different kinds being
established, as they have talked as friend
remarked, ever since the town was ineorpora.
/ ted. But times have changed, and while but
/ little change has been wrought upon the Old
hard'tsted iogies, new residents are bringing
| into the town new ideas aud leading the van Of
the rising generation. Ny fret impression of
| Westminster was that IL contained prominent
] ari,toeratc element, aud that 4 spirit OF sell
hshness prevailed amongst the citizens; but
/ before left | was convinced that had Judge
| too hastily. An interchange Of friendliness lad
4 cheerfulness existed which | thought highly
cOmmeBdable and rcnde, ed it a desirable place
| for residence. The town has tw o democratic
| newspapers, the Demoerat and Seatiaei, which
seem to enjoy liberal patronage. | called
into the Office of the SsniiHei, aud held quite
an interesting conversation with the gentleman
/ publisher.
On Monday morning, being anxious to move
on towards hOme, went early to the depot.
Just as the train was coming up, an incident
| occurred which transfxed those who witnessed
it with feelings Of the greatest horror. The
track lays between the ticket Office and the
platform. Among the many by ISLANDERS was a
white servant girl, holding an infant in her
arms, the mother Of which was also standing
/ by. The train was coming up at an unusual
speed, and had reached within few yards OF
the spot where we were standing, when the
! girl suddenly sprang across the track in front
OF the approaching engine. The act was so
unlocked for aud reck less that every heart re-
coiled Luckily she did not stumble, IN which
case both herself and charge would have ME,
with fatal injuries, for the next instant the en-
| CINE came laundering by. No reason could
be given for the rash act