Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-07-14
MARTINSBURG:
IT'S ACCESSIBILITY, HEALTH
FULNESS, AND NEARNESS
TO POLITICAL AND COM
MERCIAL CENTRES,

MERCIAL CENTRES,
&c.
Those counties of Virginia which con-
stitute what for twelve years has been
known, politically and geographically
as West Virginia, were erected into
State during the pendeucy of civil CON
fiict Regard for natural boundaries
was necessarily impracticable at the
time the new State was established;
and it came into the Union with us
limits defined by the chances and exl-
yencies of varying war, and not con-
trolled by the laws which govern more
fortunate States in determining the ex-
tent of their jurisdiction. A conse-
ouepce of this has naturally been dlth-
culty in the establishment Of perma-
nent seat Of government AT hrst IL
was at Nheeling-then removed TO
Characterization again restored 10
Wheelinc-the question Of the perma-
nept location Of the capital remains
undecided :.
1t is no purpose of this paper to dis.
cuss the details of that much ve1ed
question or recall its legislative history.
AL, admit the necessity and proprlety
of its speedy and final determination.
1t has entered into and injuriously COM
plicated many subject OF grave State
policy to which it has borne no logical
relation. 1t has arrayed different sec
tons in opposition, and stimulated into
bitter antagonisms feelings which should
have never gone beyond the limits OF
friendly and generous rivalry These
and other considerations have constant
ly suggested the expediency of dispos-
ing, finally, of question so disturbing
to the unity of our people, and it Is
presumed tie action of the Legislature,
last winter, was prompted by purpose
to eutrust its determination TO the PEG
ule aid thus remove from the two
Houses a troublesome and exciting sub
iect interfering, as we have said, with
other aud most important legislative
duties.
MARTISSBURG
is the county seat of Berkeley county,
and now contains a population, III mum
Der, nearly 1000. Both the comfy
and town were organized under Colo
NAL authority, in the reign of George
III; the first conrt having been held on
the 9th day Of May, l772. For long
time, it was village atfording, simply,
accommodations Tor the courts, and
facilities for the local trade Of thrifty
and populous neiehborhoOd.
\ prosperity, commenced before the
war, after its termination, followed the
enterprise Of its citizens with renewed
evidences of its permanent and substan-
tial character, and the town has grown
into an importance recognized through
out the State, as is shown by the Tact
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 Stale
government.
LOCATION.
The two countiss-Jeifcrs9n and
Berkeley-make the northern tier OF
those counties which constitute the
historic Shenandoah Valley. Belong
ing to West Virginia, they contribute
no uncomfortable addition 10 its wealth
and taxable basis Originally the coun-
~ embracing both the present county
of Jefferson and most of Morgan, it has
for century, maintained the most init
mate connection with the people OF
territory, which, at the present day, is
STYLED the Eastern Pan Handle.
Whatever advances its interests, there
fore enures 10 the advantage, directly,
of the country east Of the North Noun
tain; indirectly, but not remotely, of all
the region east of the Alleghauies
1t is no design of the people OF Mar
tinsburg to depreciate the merits and
advantages of Clarksburg or Charles
ton. All that gives character and I'M
portance to a town must be plainly APP
parent, and each voter knows enough,
generally, to be able easily to deter
mine the relative merits Of rival claim
ants in a contest like this. But looking
at the map OF West Virginia and the
eccentric outlines of the State, IL is
manifest that no central point can be
selected as a seat of government in the
sense that it will be equally convenient
TO all portions of the population. With
reference TO this question it must be
admitted that, as will be hereafter more
particularly shown, it can DO claimed
without presumption that in regard to
all who from business, pleasure or pub
lie duty are required 10 visit the Capt.
tai, Martinsburg would he found more
convenient to the greatest number than
either of It's rivals.
THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY.
This Valley has become historic.
Both suffering and endurance have Civ
ell it a record which must live forever
The beauty of its landscapes, the fertili
ty of its farms, the. working, wearing
qualities OF its people make them wor-
thy of its place in the annals which
record the history ofthe nation. Nature
has been profuse in the gifts it has
conferred. Lying between the North
Mountain and the Blue Ridge, rolling
and undulating between these ranges
which mark its horizon on either side,
drained by the United Potomacs and
cue shenandoah, it affords a handbook
Gu area OF fertile soil secured against the
s'o,'nS OF the Atlantic, on the one hand,
ana protected, on the other, by the
-aileS"ahies ard North Mountain-a
double barrier against the fierce winds
OF the Northwest. In the lanpuaoe of