Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-08-04

gument Of restorative compensation. Is she
accessible-is she convenient-is she pcr,na-
nently iudicious selection Is Clarksberg
such, as compared with Martinsburg2 If not,
we are compelled by the general good Of the
whole State to vote for Martinsburg.
But, ieilow-citizens Of Jefferson there IS
for you an additional argument, not of gener-
osity, but of natural affection, and | may say,
of religious obligation, upon which mean TO
insist. Some Of you here present may remem-
Der that a few years ago, there was in Berke-
ley county centennial celebration, in COM
memoration Of the Tooth anniversary Of the
formation of the county of Berkeley. Jefier-
sou was invited to participate, and why BE-
cause she was, and is, the daughter-the eldest
born-of Berkeley. Berkeley is our Mother,
bound to us by a thousand associations OF his
tory, aud indissplubly connected by the bonds
of Affection and the family ties of a common
clan Jefferson is Berkeley, and Berkeley is
jefferson, Let those who propose to desert
Berkeley, beware, lest they be set down as
aliens aud strangers in the land that gave them
| birth
know that there has been occasional spas
mode efforts to create conflict of sentiment
/ between the two counties upon some question
of temporary interest, growing out OF some
local improvement, CT the still more insignif-
cant contest of rival politicians. But Is there
! a man here who doubts that, at heart, the peo-
ple of jefferson believe that the interest Of
Berkeley is to be cherished as their own, and
promoted by every labor, by every sacrifice, by
every untiring energy, which our mutual love-
our common origin. our common history, and
cur common and indissoluble destiny, imperi-
| lively dictate, and demand? Mol no. Tic
struggles of our Revolutionary fathers are not
| forgotten when Darke and Stephens, Gates
and Lee, lit up the horizon of Vireinia's VAL
lev by the illustrious fires of their lar-faming
deeds of war And the memory is still green
| of the more recent achievements OF Naden-
bousch, Colston, an Allen, Bolts, and the
| hosts Of other veritable heroes, whose blood,
commingling on the battle-felds of the late
war. cemeuteh anew the natural and uniaiing
affection of Jefferson aud Berkeley Perish
the thought, then, that any true and loyal son
Of jefferson would prove rccrcant to these con-
siderations Of moral duty, which plead so
| strongly in behalf of our Mother County.
Though you should not even believe that
the best interest of Berkeley would be pro-
NOTED by giving her the Capital, yet 1t Is suif
Gent that she believes 50, and makes the re-
quest. We must permit her to judge Of her
own interests, and cheerfully support her IN
her decision: provided always that we do not
sacrifice the general interest Of the State |
might appeal to you by less lofty, and more
selfish considerations. might call your at
tention to the fact that Berkeley has recently
voted nearly three hundred thousand dollars
for the purpose of extending to you an iron
arm of friendship corded with steel sinews
and destined to bear in its hand rich gifts OF
material prosperity Sic offers to bring us
within the angle Of railroad competition-a
DO II for which we have long and earnestly
struggled. Should yon nor rote against her
IL tcM be proof 10 her that we do not desire her
friendship, and she lciV rery naturally fee
like collaborating her orert,reS Of closer GHtld-
ton.
Whatever view, then, we take Of this ques-
ton, we find that the result is the same: Mar
tinsburg is to he voted for on the 18th of An
gust next II she be not then left out OF the
race, she will be our permanent Capital. ii
left ont, are shall then hare ample opportunity
10 decide betreen ClarkSbmy and Charleston
And think may safely promise these clo-
quent advocates Of those respective points,
that in such contingency, should it by acct
dent occur) their arguments will then receive
at Your hands full consideration. But unit
that time, which may or not arrive, the best
interests Of the State, aud the moral duty Of
standing by, and strengthening the hands o
our friends aud neghborS, demand that we
support Martnsburg, with unanimity, aud en-
thusasm. Should we do this, we can count
upon the assistance and cooperation Of Berke'
ley, in our turn, in all legitimate and h"nora-
BILE enterprises, which Jetferson's future devel-
opement may originate or demand. Long live
the sentiments Of comfy, affection, and com
mon interest, which bind together Jefferson
and Berkeley