The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-10-20

year. Most of the work done was
merely routine. The financial and
numerical statistics show a very
healthy and gratifying progression.
Some of the ministers were not paid
infull, but hope to receive the amount
deficient during the fall, when the
farmers have disposed of their crops
and produce. l presume you have
already received the appointments
of the ministers from some other
source, so l need not repeat them.
Charleston and the country around
are beautifully situated. The valley
in which is located the Chesapeake &
Ohio r. r., from Huntington to
Charleston, is one of the finest in
every respect l have ever seen.
Most Of the land we passed in Ohio
and the Kanawha Valley, is level
and fertile, while in portions of the
formera plentiful supply of iron ore
was apparent, even on the surface of
the ground. The wild places in West
Va. we did not see, as they are away
back in the interior of the State, far
removed from rail and river. What
we SAW made favorable impressions
on our minds relating to the future of
the State. There are innumerable
mines of wealth in West Va. All
that is needed to make the people
rich and prosperous, is plenty of
ready capital, and a good streak of
pluck. Volcano is good illustration
of what those two powers may do.
Even now some hitherto unused and
neglected territory is being taken up.
Operations on it have begun, and
rich yield of oil is the result. Bush
ness here was never better, and the
people are in the hest of temper, will
ing to work, and making it pay.
This could be repeated in thousand
places Inour State. if men of capital
would only try.
In writing L must not forget my
text: namely, Charleston and its in
terests. 1t is 3 town of about 5000
inhabitants, built on the banks of the
Great Kanawha, and about fifty
miles from Huntington, the termi-
nus of the c. & 0. r. r. where it
strikes the river. The people of the
town gave us right hearty welcome,
and cordial Virginia hospitality.
Indeed l never saw a city, town or
place where the hospitality of the
people exceeded that of Charleston.
They are also a people of fine culture
and elevated in their customs and
tastes, forming a striking and sug-
gestive contrast to the natives of the
inland counties before referred to.
The Capitol building is a magnifi-
cent structure, worth half a million
of dollars, and presented without
money and without price" to the
State, by the citizens of the city and
neighborhood. About 1000 of the
inhabitants are colored. A goodly
number of them are persons of much
intel ligence. l had the privilege of
holding Divine service in their very
comfortable church on Sunday, at II
o'clock a. M, and such singing; it
would have cheered any heart, and
supported any spirit, no matter how
gloomy or burdened. There are two
things the colored people can do:
namely, they can sing and say amen.
They do 80 i'll a way that says, 1--WE
mean business" .a
Charleston has Jewish Synagogue
and congregation, and one of the
most interesting episodes in confer
ence session, was the introduction of
the Jewish Rabbi, who attended all
our business sessions, and several of
our religious services. The Presby-
terrain, Baptist and other churches
were all thrown open to us. There
were but two exceptions, namely:
the Roman Catholics and the Episco-
palians. These "came not nigh unto
us, nor bid us enter" A new Ro-
man Catholic Church is to be dedica-
ted here next Sunday, and the men,
bers of that communion are looking
for "gala day." 1t is a very neat
building and well finished 1 am told.
l was very sorry to learn from your
paper last week of the death of Mr..
and Mrs. Townshend's boy. They
have our sincere sympathy and
prayers. Another tie to bind us to
our Fathers house; another voice to
call the "welcome home." Not lost,
but gone before. ....
During my stay at Charleston I
found that the old feudal political
spirit is rapidly dying out, and the
people are learning to "agree to dis
agree" The excellent hostess with
whom 1 lodged was a Louisiana Re-
publican, while her husband, if l
mistake not, was West Va. ditto.
And now Mr.. Editor, 1 think /
must close. Will write you soon
again. ..
. Vo,,ra .,prSy tr,,lx,