The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-03-09
CharIestown Chronicles,

ny childhood and youth under monarchial J
readily embraced the republican
orm whan first came to this country. which
Will he fifty years ago tins Spring 1t was then
took shelter under the statute laws of Ohio,
and became a resident of Portage County, when
he inhabitants were few and far between to
what they now are. but very kind and affection
ate to strangers, whether foreign or native born
who had honorable motives, steady habits and
were industrionsly inclined, which very much
appreciated. The laws of the State were strict
ly observed-as well as in my native land-con-
in my childhood and youth / was
trained to respect the laws that protected me.
Nearly half a century has passed since that
time and the first penalty has yet to be inflicted
on me, either in this or the land of my birth. for
its violation. L have always felt grateful for
this one thing Though my education was very
limited not having the privileges that are now
enjoyed), that l was trained to have great re-
spect to the civil laws of the country in which |
l reside, and to all law abiding citizens with |
which l may be associated. After being in this |
country about four years it was my lot through |
sickness. to return to my native land, where
remained fourteen years. thirteen Of which
resided in London. engaged in large commef-
cial houses in the city, where it required the
strictest of character and reputation. both NOR
al and civil to obtain as well as to hold situa
ton; the least 1aw in any shape would endan-
ger me to lose my berth. and once lost it was
lost forever Twas there from 81 till 80, when
returned again to the State of Ohio with my
small family, preferring the broad fields of Ohio
for them to the narrow crowded streets OF the
city of London. Since my return, thirty-two
years ago, have spent twenty-five years of
that time in Charlestown. where now reside.
49, Akak
early training has had on me to pay great re-
spect to our civil laws. Of which am about to
treat. And here, MIR. Editor. would beg TO
ask the favor that you will neither delay un-
necessarily, nor dilute. preface or deface. SO as
to weaken the force of the object il view, which
is solely for the interest Of my fellow citizens.
and in Charlestown in particular; mean the
strict observance Of law. both moral and civil.
without which life will be q curse and the end
destruction. 1 care not what may be the PIE
tensions or professions. without law. rule and
order, all will be confusion. ReckleSsness will
bring an ything to ruin. And here allow me to
remark, that write with no ill will TO any one,
and should come close home 10 some of my
friends and neighbors, and the blow should
touch them little sharp. hope they will re-
ceiye it as David did. and say though he smite
me- shall be an excellent oil: it will not break
my bones. Further. would say. that intend
to touch on nothing but facts that can vouch
for and am not ashamed of my name in any
thing write or speak. have been resident
of this town for twenty two years, am Of full
age therefore have some claim to rights and
privileges that should be respected, If within
the bounds Of reason. as have given you
description of my early training with respect to
our civil and moral laws. The sad difficulty
with which am often called to contend is the
looseness and disrespect paid to our statute
laws that at times | have been neeessitated to
seek redress to the printing office, and here l
nnd sometimes realities and facts either with
hold or weakened. l had occasion to appeal to
such source lew weeks since. on account OF
block adcd road, contrary TO law. made an
| application to the official who is under oath,
bond. and penalty of from five to fifty dollars
if he neglects to remove, OF cause said obstruc-
ton to be removed. But he obstinately and
laWlessly refused to act. in spite OF oath. bond
or penalty. The most painful thing is yet to be
| told This officer processes to be strictly pious.
a church member, trains his children up in
sabbath School from infancy. teaching them
from the Word OF God on Sunday, and yet he
allowed boy thus brought up, about II or IA
years old, to give yelling shout in his presence
that they rejoieed that they had bluhfed off an
old man nearly 70 years old. This happened
when was ahont to leave This insult injured
! my feelings more than the piOus fathers perju-
| ry. violation of law and bond. Can you wOnder
| at itr IN the long time ! have lived here have
| never known a fine collected nor penalty in
| hicted. And here allow me to make an asser-
| tion and in doing SO. challenge successful som
| tradiction. that our Township Treasury is def
cient from one to five hundred dollars this year.
and has been annually for the last ten years.
| because fines and penalties have not been in
| hicted and the law strictly enforced. Can we
wonder at lawlessness prevailing. or that
| should be sometimes sick or ashamed OF the
Republican ranks, and often think OF turning y
| Republican Denocratr Here want you to un-
| derstand we have some, but too few. who do
| not bow the knee to this lowless Baal, The gross
| insult of the boy was the chief cause of my ap-
| pealing to the Republican Democrat, 1t was in
| manuscript, but withheld. with other points
| and this, Mr.. Editor Is the cause OF my appeal
| ing to your courtesy. l find in its last issue a
card of coincidence signed Mrs. S. B. Morris
This same Mrs S. B. Morris has been proved to
| have been the Charlestown CORES spondent in
September. 1874 when was under the necessi-
| ty of correcting her severely for gross misrep-
| resentations of me and my family supposed
| she would have been silent with me for the fn-
| ture, but here she appears again, making use
of Mr.. Fox's name, but not the Supervisors.
Let me say here that the Mr.. Fox she mentions
had nothing. so he told me, whatever to do with
the obstruction. 1t was put there without his
knowledge or consent, and he ordered it taken
away. So that he need not neither does he as K
u blessing from this pIous lady. She speaks of
the spirit of the law, both of God and man. ]
| shall be round to the S. b. Morris family soon.
and we will see how much these good pious
| folks practice this kind of law. In September,
| 1874 when had been resident about fourteen
| years, l had occasion then now, to write Of
| what had witnessed. 1t was for taking from
the highway what did not belong to them.
| termed it highway robbery, and that our off-
cials allowed the stealing to go on. But they
refused to get back this stolen property. They
| were of the same class we now have If not some
of the same men. They refused to act like our
| Supervisor, and have refused to act all these
| eight years, My aim and object was to strike 3
| man by the name of l.. L. Brown. He now lies
silent in the grave. and has done with strife and
| contention which are the fruits of lawleSsness.
He lived on the square at the Center; he owned
land ON the southwest corner joining me road,
that leads south Perhaps some Gwenty- five
years ago he claimed the road was over on his
| land, Consequently he moved his fence down
some twelve or fifteen feet into the road. mar
rowing our sixty feet road down to about forty
two feet right at the Square. some places much
narrower. He then owned only ON the west
side Perhaps some sixteen years ago he pur-
chased on the east side, thus owning on b. u
sides Of the road. About, perhaps. some .e
years ago, it was necessary to have the County
Surveyor to find out the center of the road to
build school house fence. l thought it good
| time. the old gent owned on both sides. to get
back this strayed property and make the road
the proper width / give the old gent credit.
He was willing if the officials demanded it. But
our Trustees split-two for, and one against
They knew the old gent would have bad every
| other road made its proper width, thus they
| declined to act, and our road is still contracted
The letter l wrote caused many to nutter all
over town, when it was only meant for l.. l..
| Brown. Well, now we come to the S. Il. Morris
family. They all claim to be very pious folks
We will see about this Mrs. S. I Morris is the
daughter and only child living OF the late L. L.
Brown, consequently at his deate the whole
property came into the hands Of the Morris fam
ily This 5 Il. Morris told when the old gent
| maS oIivn hat III had no mower. or con IrnI il