Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-01-19
lFor tile Spirit of Jetterson.l
Spirit Of Jefferson VS.. Statesman.

intended as reply to an article which app
peared in your paper the week previous, and
as we think that the Statesman misrepresents
the wishes and feelings of the majority of the
citizens of Berkeley county, We beg leave to
offer few remarks, hoping you will be kind
enough to give little of your space for their
publication. With the discussion going on
between you and the Statesman, relative to
the claims of different gentlemen for the Office
of U. S. Senator we have nothing to say, as it
is not difficult to perceive that tho Editor OF
the Spirit is sufficiently able to take care of
himself, particularly in discussion with the
Editor of the Statesman. The Editor of that
paper after landing the Hon. Charles James
to the skies, winds up the whole thing by say
ing that that gentleman is the choice of the
people Of Jefferson aud Berkeley counties for
the position of U. S. Senator. We are not
intimately acquainted with the wishes of the
citizens of Jefferson, they are sufficiently able
and can speak for themselves, but as to his
being the choice of the people of Berkeley
we certainly have good reason to deny. The
Editor Of the Statesman accuses the Spirit
with not supporting MIR. T. in the last cam
paigu, and says "that paper has never been
particularly partial to Mr.. T." Perhaps we
are not judge in such matters, but we are of
tleman warmly. 1t was not as loud in sound
ing his praise on all occasions But in quiet
and more becoming manner it espoused the
cause of Mr.. Faulkner, and advanced his
claims in such manner that showed plainly
that it had principle at stake ,and was neither
bought nor whipped into his support. AS to
what the Spirit says Of the public sentiment
of the county berkeley the Statesman ohar>
acterises as too absurd and preposterous to
require moments notice. We think we
have quite as good opportunity of ascertaining
the wishes of the people OF this county in
reference to this matter as the Editor of the
Statesman. We have conversed with great
many of its citizens and in nearly every in>
stance do they speak unfavorably of Mr..
Faulkner, and would greatly prefer some other
person to fill this important Office. The state
ment in your paper that his friends in Jeffer-
son "beleve he should be content with the
position already assigned him, and are worried,
not to say disguised, with his Unsuitable desire
to grasp every Office within the gift of the peo-
pie, without awaiting their invitation or con-
sidering the claims of his peers" meets the
hearty approval of the majority of the people
Of this county. We can assure the Editor of
the Statesman that the procedure of the
almighty nine does not reflect the sentiments
of the people, ut least outside of Martinsburg.
The people outside of that town are not easily
CALLED or bought, though this has been fire.
quently tried, and if they were to be consulted
in the choice Of a Senator to represent them
in the u. s. Senate we are satisfied that that
choice would fall upon an entirely different
party.
We know whereof We speak, and when we
say that if the people of this county were
Tod in, bat how
lcct the Hon. john Blair Hoge, we speak the
truth and the sentiments of nine. teuths of
the citizens of old berkeley. Judge Hoge is
the peer of Mr. Faulkner 10 every respect ex-
cept perhaps some trichs which are not in
herent in Judge H., and which he has never
studied aud we trust he never will Judge
II. is one of the most popular gentlemen in
this county, and in the very important position
that he now occupies, few. if any, have ever
given such universal satisfaction. He is
gentleman Of honor and integrity, has I'M
doubted ability, who knows and would e ,ht
for the interests Of his constituents and would
make such representative as the people would
be proud to own.
In reference to that part Of the article in
the Statesman, in which he speaks of the
INJUSTICE done Mr.. Faulkner, in charging him
with iuordinate aud excessive ambition, VIC
can but say give US your hand" If there
is man who wanted every little Office aud big
aud is dissatisfied if he fails by trickery and
all other honorable and dishorable means to
get them, that man, is the Hon. Chas. James
Faulkner. Notwithstanding the assertion OF
the Editor Of the Statesman to the contrary
AS to his popularity in tho county, look if
you please at the last election returns. II you
will take the trouble to examine the vote at
the last election you will see that with the cx
ception Of one candidate he run behind the
entire ticket This does not speak much for his
popularity, although the ,c0nderfWl nine-or
rather tic address--(fo as you truthfully say,
VIC do not know who wrote IT'D would make
him appear the most popular man. We beg
leave to state that this is not the opinion of
the farmers and citizens of the county, out
side Of Ma,tnsburg. You will also discover
upon examination that his vote for tho Con
stitutional Convention was less than either of
his colleagues. How the Editor Of the States
man can make such statements in reference
to Mr. +. s popularity. in the face of such facts,
is question beyond our comprehension, IN
less in his eagerness to advance his claims he
loses sight or refuses altogether to notice the
facts in tho case. Had such q thing been
done as is done by the Berkeley nine, in the
case of any other candidate for senatorial hon
ors, the Editor of tho Statesman would have
yelled and howlcd like Gagged lion at the in
justice done the citizens of the county But
in this case he is perfectly satisfied, as his
patron is the party, and hastens to applaud the
action of the nine which asks the appoint
ment of party obnoxious to the majority of
the citizens of this county.
Like you, Mcssrs. Editors, Eve have more
than once expressed our opinion of his talents
and uutring industry" but We think, there
are others equally as we'll qualified. equally
as deserving and equally entitled to and should
receive some of the honors. We think it IN