Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-01-08

Passes now a state OF MOuHtdluSs
Like the Swiss land DER the sea,
With that noble grand old motto,
"Mountaineers are always free"
Still the fated thread is spinning,
Rises here a specter crew,
IT'S the Legislature meeting,
And the Charleston Waterloo,
Fiercer never ragged a conflict
Drawer foemen never meet,
Than crossed steel DER the removal
OF the sslate Permanent Seat"
But that Waterloo's not ended,
Though the smoky Wheeling sings,
Permanent is all humbug"
eWe've a capitol on wings"
Dark and dingy hazy city
Brief enjoy your stolen prize,
For you soon will know what rings mean
When to Martinsburg it flies.
All! / hear louder racket,
It's at Wheeling-what'S the cause!
IT'S the lunaticS in session,
Grinding out the peoples laws
Louder grows the sound and rumble,
Fierce Impeachment fills the air,
And the Senate sits in Judgment,
With Chief Justice in the chair.
1t is Bennett and Burdett who
Charged with filthy love of gold,
Are impeached of base corruption,
In the peoples trust they hold.
Bigger guns neer banged in battle,
By their crack thought they'd bust,
But the crack was all of Mason,
Fired his gun, then left his post.
Yet the timber's not all rotten,
Here and there is still sound wood
When the democrats have leaders
Like Gettinger and Good
If they're guilty, bring the axman,
Let the work be short and brief,
For the party can not flourish,
That will harbor rogue OF thief.
Nor is very great the diff renee,
Tween the parties-facts reveal
For party's always honest,
When it has no chance to steal
Changes now the phantom vision,
And two wir'y athletes rise,
Running as in race Olympic,
For the Senatorial prize.
1t is d. and F. in contest,
See their muscles how they strain
Till the very blood is bursting,
From each massive brow and brain,
Sharp and shrewd and willy foemen,
Each one plies his tact and skill,
AS is daily seen in Congress,
BY the well known bamconbe ball.
But Investigations dangerous,
And if sometimes pushed too hard,
Might strike back and prove the adage
''Hoisted by his own petard."
But another shadow rises,
Colored still with politics
And the conflict is for gov'nor
In the year of Serenty-Sir.
Last one cheating got the birth right
AS in Holy Writ it stands,
Twas the nasal voice of Jacobs,
But the hairy Esau's hands,
Radicals have learned lesson,
And their leaders all rejoice,
That no more can cheat old Isaac
Esau's hands and Jacobs voice.
But what crowds of patriot leaders
In each party rank | see
Who would die to save their country,
If they Governor could be.
From nff Nhol1
Knight of Sword" and Knight ofQuill,'
While the east brings Ward H. Lamon,
Berkeley Knight of Bunker Hill.
Other Knights / see are Camden,
And Walker in the race,
who like thirsty blood hound baying,
Fiercely joins the steeple chase,
AS to who will be successful
Haggard beldames shake their heads,
And from distaff and the spindle
Coils doubtful mixed up thread.
But the fated cord is changing,
And our city is the scene,
With her progress and Improvement,
Shenandoah Valleys Queen,
Martinsburg has grown a city
Finest buildings rise to view
And the spreading of her borders
Shows her growth in numbers too.
She can boast of Summaries,
Tasteful, cultured and refined
Where our city's fairest daughters
May be trained in heart and mind
There are 'Lonoak" and Berkeley
With their teachers tried and true,
Who have made their schools an honor.
To themselves and patrons too.
But we must not fail to notice
Here our city's public schools,
With their academic buildings,
First class teachers, best of rules.
Free as air to all the children
They like public fountains pour
Furnishing the thirsty masses,
Without price, the best of lore.
But the Fates now bid us hasten
Bid us talk of something less
Bout our daily weekly paper,
Bout our "Independent Press
INDEPENDENT is our title,
Independent, we shall be,
In this grand New Year Centennial
From the bonds of Party free.
We have sometimes spoke in passion,
Sometimes sharper than we ought,
But it was not done in malice,
Only moved by honest thought,
Then, dear readers, on this New Year,
Let us smoke the pipe of peace