Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-12-28
TIE CENTENNIAL YEAR.

The year 1876 looms up in the near future.
NE wait to welcome its advent with thrilling
emotions and high hopes. Its place is unique
IN respect to the past, as wsll as the future,
in that it is the Centennial year of our couu>
try's existence. One hundred years ago this
coming one, our patriotic Forefathers initiated
those series of protests and resis.ances against
she mother country which involved them in
the revolutionary war, and after protractsd
struggle of eight years resulted in the estab-
hshment of the independence of the Colonies
from British tyrany and power, and their ak
istence as one of the nations of the earth
The odds against them were fearful and the
stake tremendous, but under the blessing and
with the aid of the Almighty, the object
sought was made a grand success. A free
and independent people, liberated by their
own strong arms from oppressive rule, entered
upon the experiment on this Western con-
tinent of governing themselves under re-
publican regime. Gloriously does the close
Of the century establish the wisdom of the
effort and the certainty of its accomplishment.
Whatever may have been the representations
of the enemies of free government as to the
success of the enterprise, OF the fears and
forebodings of its friends, these have long
since vanished before TIE rising and spread
ing grandeur of the republic, and now that
near hundred years are gone, during which
the fabric has been tested in the sevsrest
crucibles, We may well predicate the hope and
faith of its psrmanency and continued dura-
tion. And how grand the growth and in
crease in these hundred years past? From
thirteen feeble Colonies to thirty>seven Sow
ereigu States and twelve Territories
three millions of inhabitants to more than.
forty-from territory hugging the seaboard.
now spanning the continent from ocean to
ocean-the couutry's exports and imports
keeping pace with its growth and wants
every branch of industry swelling in a like
ratio-the great modern Improvements and
Inventions in the domains of mechanism,
steam and electricity utilized and worked in
The length and breadth of the land-and the
moral and religious elements keeping fully
abreast with the physical progress. These
are the colossal proportions at the close of its
first century, which grand consummation, it
is proposed to celebrate in the coming year,
at the city where the declaration of freedom
was first proclaimed, by exhibition to
which the world is invited to come and take
part and see the progress, power and great
ness os the nation. Let US rejoice in our
country's prosperity. Let US be glad that
we live at this glorious epoch in her history.
Let US seek to uphold her greatness and per-
petuate our free Institutions by such indi>
vidual action as shall maintain the right and
Danish the wrong. Let us instiil into the
hearts of our children love of country, the
necessity of right action, religious principle
the only basis of individual character. as we'll
as of the country's true greatness, and thus
strive to make good respecting our country
and her institutions that one prayer, este
Perpefua. We extend the compliments of the
esptennial year to all our readers.
& The latest Presidential nomination i,
made By the Spirit Of Jefferson, newspaper
puDushSH at OnarleStOWn, w est Virginia,
and eonsisesspf Gov Hendricks for President
and John Kelly for Vice President. MI.
Morrissey should visit the editor who is in
charge of Mr.. Jeferson's spirit and tell him
just how bad a man John Kelly is.
The above political note from the New
York Tribuns-o of the 24th oltimo, remind. US
Of the fact that our first and only acquaint-
ance with Whitelaw Reid, the editor of that
paper, was inaugurated by an introductfoa,
from John Kelly, in Tammary Hall, at a,
grand ratification meeting of the nomination
of honest Horace Greeley. Mr.. Morrissey
ought to visit the editor who is in charge of
Horace Creeley's spirit, and ask him why he
demurs to having an honest man for Vice.
President of the United States. Is it be-
cause
1T sounds like visions from the land of Spirits
When any ma1 obtains that which he merits.
Or any merits that which he obtainsi"
% OF the House Committees in Con-
xress, Hon. Ben. Wilson is on those of Ex,
penditures for Public Buildings and Pensions,
Hon. c. j. Faulkner on Foreign Affairs and
Education and Hon. Frank Hereford on
MliltIa and Commerce, Of which latter he il
the Chairman.
~ The Legislature adjourned Thursday
nigh. last.