Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-07-20
HARPRR,s FERRY.

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On the recent return of the New Jersey
Editorial party from Orkney Springs to Har-
rer's Ferry, Charles Davies, Esq and the
Committee of Reception, were profnse in their
attentions to the party, and gave them brief
history of events and the wants of Hnrper's
Ferry. at the Committees request, Mr..
Davies reduced some of his remarks to writing,
which he enclosed 70 TIE Secretary, and which
are published in the New Brunswick Ere.
dontan, as follows:
HARPER's FERnY, WEST Va
June "a, 1870
John F. Ba5eoe1, .Esq !, Ncp> Bruns,cick,
Neio Jersey:
DEAR Sir Your request that / should
Immediately write to yon, gives me such an
early opportunity Of (will you permit me to
say y of cementing the Acquaintance SO pleas
antly formed with you aud several other
members of tho Press of New-Jersey, for in
stance, the members of your managing COM
mittee, ON the occasion of your recent visit to
this place, that embrace it with pleasure.
TWAS the desire of the corporation and the
people hero to have given you a public, cere-
mouious reception. If, as chairman Of tho
arrangements, took the liberty of changing
this programme, and of putting forth iced
lemonade with the ct ccferas as the orator of
the occasion, have the great satisfaction of
thinking that the discontented were not
amongst your lady Ike and geptIemanly, but
warm. and weary aud thirsty party.
When here, you were kind enough to ex-
press the wish that Fshould send you in writ
ing copy of some remarks made BY me in
reference to this place. Here they are sub
stantially:
During the administration of Washington,
and at his suggestion, Harper's Ferry was se-
lccted as the site of National Armory.-
Y ears followed, during which m industrious
people were contented aud hsppy. Govern
ment works public buildings, and private
residences were numerous. ioyelier place
was notin the world a more prosperous town
vas not In this whole region of country.
Next came the war, and the destruction of
all these things-public works, places of wor-
ship, private residences. And then came the
legislation of Congress. subsequent to the war.
The whole of that legislation was considered
proper, believe, by some people; the whole
of it was considered improper, unjust and i'm.
polite by others. Some of it no doubt was
right enough; but unquestionably soue of it
never should have been passed. BE that as
it may, portion of the legislation have re-
ferEed to declared that Elarper's Ferry should
no longer be the site of National Armory
This utterly unnecessary aud cruel act COM
pleted tho annihiIation of the place. The
people-many of them destitute-had been
sitting amid the ruins of their former homes
and industries, expecting each day that Gov
eminent would do something. Well, as I
have Informed You, Government did do some>
thing, with a vengeance, and now they sat
there destitute of even hope. Many of the
artizaus had purchased houses and lots from
Government with tho express understanding
that payment was to be made in iEstalments
from wages earned in the Armory. The ne
cessary result, in many cases, being, that pay
ments made were thrown away, the opportu-
nifty of paying balances aud getting deeds
having been taken away.
pass from this melancholy state of affairs
with the same pleasure that mariner passes
from storms aud Clouds to blue skies and
placid waters, to speak of the present state of
public feeling, the harmony that everywhere
exists, the revived patriotism that seems to
animate the whole country. All sir, how
peculiarly pleasant this is, to those who never
lost faith in the republic, and never, during
the angriest periods of our late troubles, were
satisfied to be less than whole Americana
And now see. the young rebels of the Fifth
Maryland kissing the Boston girls, cnlofion0zY
I have NO doubt, while the embrace of Cen
Lee aud Gen Butler was, am informed, &C.
tually pdroIySmGE. Well, now sir, this be.
ing tho state CT affairs, would it not be Just,
polite, eraceful-nay, is it not due to the
South-leaying the claims and interests of
the people here gu: of the question-to send
back the Armory to Harper's Ferry2 If it
was taken away on account of want of conf
dence, surely the best proof of the sincerity
of present professions would be to give it back
again.
At ali events, an effort will be made during
the next session of Congress in the direction
above intimnted. The Hon. Charles James
Faulkner will represent our District. In COM
mon with numbers of other influential men in
the country, he is devoted to the project, and
will do all that a man can 60 in the premises
Now, to strengthen his hands in tho effort,
that is the seryice-that is the favor that |
entreat of you, and of the Press OF New
Jersey.
And now let me add, aud in conclusion,
that should the Armory be restored to us, and
as necessary result, prosperity again bless
this town and people, it will be pleasant
thing for them, in future years, recalling at
the same time your visit of June, 1873, to BIO
able to say, land for this revived prosperity
for this labor aud happiness, aud content
ment, rivalling that of by-gone days-we are
in great measure indebted to the friendly
services of the Press of New. Jersey"
Yours, truly, CHARLES DAVIES.
have said nothing, in the above letter, in
reference to the fact. that the Governmet
property here was sold few years since to
private parties. Enough! 1t was not paid
for and was decreed to be resoId The liti-
cation, at present pending. presents no OBJ
stacle in the way of Government if it chooses
to do Justice to Harper's Ferry.