Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-03-10
IFor the Spirit of Jefterson.l
A PLEA FOR THE YOUNG.

1t is question of the gravest moment,
what is to be the future of the rising genera
ton of our communities2 If it be true that
tthe child apes the man, that like father
like child, we may tremble for che fste of
those who are growing up among us, and who
in few years must play their part in life's
busy drama. The State makes big mis-.
take when, by Legislation, it seeks to reform
the inveterate aud hardened criminal. All of
its statutory provisions, with their penal att
tachmen's, utterly fail to deter the man long
| habituhted to his sinful and crimipaI course
of lite. Better. by far, that the young be
looked after; that the twig be taken in hand
and be properly diverted before 1t becomes
the strong unbend'ns tree. OF course it is
not claimed that the State can legisate for
the child, and dispiace the family and
church regime This is out of the question,
but it is possible, aud there is great need for
| it, to improve in legislation for the adult
putting the man in better trim, enforcing
through him better example for the child,
and thus influence for good the after life. 1t
is entirely within the purvicw of the State to
foster and maintain, by the cgis of lite pro-
lection and support, those charitable iustitu-
tions that bring within their portals erring
youth, and seek their reclamation at this
ing. This it can do on the score of prevent
ing crime. which in the Ion. run will be a
principle Of safe and wise economy. We are
writing now more especially in behalf of the
young. We see in multiplied instances the
power of appetite orer the man. and his SEEM
ing impotency I" resist temptation. Drunken.
ness IL rampant, and the young the sad
and distressing sights of those who in other
respects. have standing and character. reeing
aud staggering on the high WAYS, and in their
eagerncss to play the man, they follow in the
footsteps of those of ripper years. How is it
possible to protect the young from the i'm
pending evil ? Sylla is on one hand. Cha,
reybdis on the other No effort should be
wanting to save them. May wo not look to
the Sunday School, where the young meet and
are trained rcliciously? Could not the Pas
tors, in conjunction with the ISuDcrinfen7enfs,
urge upon the scholars and show the ncccs>
aity OF total abstinence from Intoxicating
liquor. Let the pledge be administered to
those OF the boys and girls who will subscribe
to it. In their youth let them be brought
under sacred obligation to f0urh not. taste not,
handle not that which Sfenis away the brain
and cmpfics the purse. This principle. thus
ensraf'cd into them IN early life will grow
with their growth and strengthen with their
in the schools, be regularly organized hold
stated NJ 'etings-let speeches he made by the
youthful memhers-and thus let an army Of
young teetHtallcrs be raised m, who, when
they are old, will not depart from the good
way. TIMOTuEUs
Charlestown, Feb %, 1874
EXTENSION OF OUR RA1LRoAD TO
CHARLESTowN.-W have just had an op>
pertunity of reading the Both Annual Report
of the Cumberland Valley Railroad Company
to the Stockholders, submitted hs Thomas b.
Kennedy, President. He gives very fat~
tering statement of the business and resources
Of that Company speaks of the nartinshnrg
Il Potomac Railroad an enterprise that
twill add considerably to the business Of the
main line, +" and refers to the extension Of the
road from Martinsbure to Charlestn,vn. and it's
connection with the Shenandoah Railroad as
calculated still ''further to increase the busi>>
ness nnon the main line, as in that event much
Of the trade, mineral and agricultural, of that
rich valley would seek an outlet over our
road" We are pleased to notice the encour-
aging prospect of a speedy connection Of our
road with the Shenandoah Valley Road at
Chalestown.--M uriiMSLUy Statesman.
INpTsrosIrtoN OF JunGE HoFFMAH-At
times during the present session of the Su>
preme Court of Appeals Judge Hoffman has
been confined to his room with severe indis.
position, but within the past week or ten DAYS
his sufferngs have been aggravated For the
past week the Court has been occnned with
delivering their opinions, and Judge HofF>
mans absence may have seemed singular to
the uniformed. We deem il due to this in>
dnstrious and efficient Judge 70 state that he
has aided in String the cases and in cons
trihrting to the formation of the opinions Of
the Court, though sickness has prevented his
presence in the Courtroom when they were
delivered We are glad to announce. how
ever, that he will be out again in day or
two Charleston Courier.
@ The Richmond Enquirer notices
handsome picture recently gotten up, repre-
seuting prayer in Stonewal Jackson's
Camp" CONSPICUOUS in the group are Stone
wall jackson, General Ewell, Colonel Pen
dIeton. DR.. Hunter Mcclure Major Douglass,
Major Hawks, Captain ]. p Smith the order
ly, and the servant of Stonewall, and SUR