Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-07-07
MARTINSBURG:


rs accessibility, HealAfataesS, and NeaRess
10 Political and Commercial Centres, &c.
Those counties Of Virginia which constitute
what for twelve years has been known, politi-
cally aud geographically, as WEST VIRGINIA
were erected into a State during the tendency
Of civil conflict. Regard for natural bounda-
ries was necessarily impracticible at the time
the new State was established aud it came
into the Union with its limits defined by the
chances and exigences Of varying war, and not
controlled by the laws which govern more for
tunatc States in determining the extent Of
their jurisdiction. a consequence Of this has
naturally been difficulty in the establishment
of permanent seat Of government. At first,
at Wheeling-then removed to Charleston
then again restored 10 Wheeling-the queS-
ton Of the permanent location Of the capital
remains undecided.
Ii is no purpose of this paper to discuss the
details Of that much veXed question, or recall
its legislative history. All admit the necessity
and proprieiy Of its speedy and final determi-
nation Il has entered into and injuri, uSly
complicated many subjects Of grave State pol
icy 10 which it has borne no logical relation
IL has arrayed different sections in opposition,
and stimulated into bitter antagonists feelings
which should have never gone beyond the
I limits Of friendly and generous rivalry. These
and other considerations have constantly sug-
gested the expedieney Of disposing, finally, Of
a question so disturbing to the unity Of our
people; and it is presumed the action of the
I Legislature, last winter, was prompted by a
purpose to entruSt its determination to the
people aud thus remove from the two Houses
a troublesome aud exciting subject interfering,
as we have said, with other and most import
ant legislative duties.
harrisburg
| is the county seat Of Berkeley county, and now
contains a population in number, nearly 1000.
| Both the county AM the town were organized
under Colonial authority, in the reign of Geo
| III the first court having been held on the 9th
/ day Of May, 1872. For long time It was a
/ village afording, simply, accommodations for
I the courts and their business. and facilities for
the local trade Of thrifty aud populous
ueighboThood.
I 4 prosperity, commenced before the war,
after its termination followed the enterprise Of
It's citizens with renewed evidences Of its per-
/ mauent and substantial character, and the town
UAS LlNMu lAk0 al hNi ttAllNt htltt
out the State, rs is shown by the fact that it Is
now the largest Of the three towns which are
presented by the law as rival claimants TO the
distinction Of securing the permanent seat Of
| State government.
Location.
I The two counties-Jeilersou and Berkeley
make the northern tier OF those counties which
constitute the historic Shenandoah Valley. Be-
/ longing to West Virginia, they contribute no
/ incousiderable addition to its wealth and tax
able basis Originally the county seat Of a
/ county embracing both the present county Of
| jefferson aud most Of Morgan, it has for a cen
Z fury maintained the most intimate connection
with the people Of a territory, which, at the
present day, is styled the Eastern Pan-Ilan-
die" Whatever advances its interests, there
fore, euures to the advantage, directly, Of the
country east Of the North Mountain indhect-
I ~, but not remotely, Of all the region east Of
the Alleghauies.
Il is 20 part the people Of Martiusburg to
| depreciate the merits and advantages of ClarkS-
burg or Charleston. All that gives character
and importance to o town must be plainly APP
parent, and each voter knows enough, general
, Is. 70 be able easily to determine the relative
merits Of rival claimants in a contest ike this.
But looking at the map Of West Virginia and
/ the eccentric outlines of the State, it is mani
fest that no central point can be selected as a
seat Of government in the sense that 1t will be
equally convenient TO all portions oe the popu-
h,ion. With regard to this question it must
be admitted that, as will be hereafter more par
/ ticularly shown, it can be claimed without pre-
U Il l,,.1.
ness, pleasure or public duty are required to
visit the Capital, Martinsburg would be found
more convenient TO the greatest number than
either Of its rivals
The shenandoah valley.
This Valley has become historic Both suf-
fering and endurance have given it a record
which must live forever. The beauty Of its
landscapes, the fertility Of its farms, the work
ing, wearing qualities Of its people make them
worthy Of It's place in the annals which record
the history Of the nation. Nature has been
pr0tuse in the gifts il has conferred. Lying
between the North Mountain and the Blue
Ridge, rolling and uudulatiug between these
ranges which mark its horizon on either side,
draiued by the United Potomacs aud the She
uandoah it affords land-locked area of fertile
soil secured against the storms Of the Atlantic,
on the one hand, aud protected, on the other
by the AlIeshauieS and North Mountan-a
double barrier against the fierce winds Of the
Northwest. Ia the language of a traveller,
familiar with both hemisphereS q" 1t is embo-
somed in an atmospheric lake" q have stu
died the climates Of Nice and Pau, in Northern
France adds the same gentleman; 81 have
spent winter on the Nile and in one Of the
sheltered valleys Of Switzerland; have lived
years in California and am now ready to affirm
that, for healthfulucss and life, the whole year
round, have found nothing superior to the
climate of this Valley"
The Outside World.
Martiusburg is distant from Baltimore one
hundred miles; from Harrisburg about the
same distance; from Washington only eighty
miles Four trains daily day and Djoht af-