Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1882-05-19
Letter from the Land of Beauty and
Plenty.
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE SENTINEL.

FREDERICK CITY, MD.
Entrusted with matter of business which
required my presence in every county COM
prising the Sixth Congressional District dur
ing the past four weeks, your correspond
ent made it his duty to look into the politi-
cal complexion of the same in order that he
might be able to ascertain as near as he could
the popular feeling Of the Democratic party
as to its choice for standard bearer in the APP
preaching Congressional campaign.
Admitting that | have a strong preference
in the matter, still at the same time, discard
ing all feeling or prejudice as against the
several prominent gentlemen whose names
have been mentioned in connection with this
distinguished and highly important trust,
your correspondent does not hesitate TO
say that the great weight of popular scnti-
ment as he has heard it most heartily express
ed was in behalf of the Hon. Montgomery
Blair.
The expressions are quiet but earnest in
behalf of the nomination of Judge Blair,
his training under his father, the late Francis
p. Blair, ST., who was the stalwart adviser
of jackson, has invoked expressions of con-
fidence-his national reputation-his Estate
papers" which have made him the peer Of
the tallest in the land, are the subject of
general criticism and admiration. His long
public life, his bold, broad and comprehen-
sive views were declared to be such as are
wanted at this time in our national legisla-
ture. The more enthusiastic friends of
Judge Blair assert that his advent into
Congress in the golden autumn of his life
would be but reflex of that splendid light
which beamed forth in our national coun-
ellis in the days of intellectual giants, and
when the finished and massive ability OF
Marylands representatives made her "the
equal of any-surpassed by nome" An
other very striking feature which made
strong impression upon your correspondent,
was the fact that all admitted in speaking of
the two judicial tickets, without regard to
their respective choice, that the nomination
Of Judge Blair would greatly enhance the
success of both of the tickets. This struck
me as one of the strongest arguments ad-
vanced in favor of this distinguished gen.
tleman's nomination.
Having now disposed of this matter of
political interest which intended to attach
to this communication, will proceed to
write from the caption of my letter-"land
of beauty and plenty" together with some
OF the scenes and incidents as came under
my observation during my ride through the
the county and short stay in Frederick, as
well as ospeak a few words ofthe memorable
days when the Legislature was convened in
extra session in Frederick by virtue of the
proclamation of the late Gov. Hicks.
1t was one Of those delightful spring morn
ings as | drove out of the beautiful town
of Boonsboro', Washington county. Every
thing was fresh, lustrous and dewy. The
sun was Just warm enough as to let you
throw aside your overcoat and make it en-
joyable, the birds were warbling their morn
ing strains, the light breeze murmured
through the newborn foliage in whispers
as gentle as lovers VOWS, light clouds
chased each other over the sky whilst the
untutored melody of the frolicsome streams
fell as softly on the morning air as memo
ries DER an old mans heart.
l had enjoyed the luxury of this delicious
scene in nature but an hour when reached
the heights of ridge OF mountains which
overlooks the county of Frederick. The pic
ture which then greeted me was of such
surprising splendor and loneliness as to
| hold every sense in fast control. had often
and often reveed in the beauties of nature,
but never before was / so completely cap
tivated.
Again and again it had been my pleasure
to have travelled throughout the entire val
ley of Virginia, and marvel at the fertility
of its soil, the sublimity and graceful curves
/
had travelled through the rich and pic
turesque valley which extends from St
Louis to the boundaries of Kansas. / had
gone through the famous valley of Wyom-
ing, Of Pennsylvania, and fingered in de-
| light over its natural and cultivated. beau
ties, but never before had my eyes rested
upon such natural painting as the one
which then lay out before me- Pausing,
thinking, dreaming, exclaimed, what liv-
ing attestation Of the grandeur and power
of God, and of his love for man. To at
tempt description would be as difficult as
to undertake TO describe the texture of u
moonbeam. Immediately in front of me lay
out the landscape like velvet curtain,
dotted all over with smiling towns and vii
lagos with the gilded spires of their houses
OF worship glistening in the unclouded sun
| light. To the right and left were ridges of
mountains and along their sides sweet fieecy
clouds. Near the base of the mountains on
my right was the Potomac, across the waters
of which the sunbeams sent dashes of golden
light. Between this stream and the base the
iron horse was dashing over his iron road,
uttering his wild screams which were
caught up and echoed back by the noun
tain Businesses until it seemed that some
terrible demon had broken loose Away
in the dim distance and up to the base of
the mountain / was shortly to descend,
around and about the towns and villages of
which have spoken, were seen a success
sion of private residences and huge out
buildings which plainly indicated that the
plain on which | was gazing was nothing
more or less than an immense agricultural
parterre. Directing my driver to push a
head, a splendid ride down the mountain
and in few moments was passing rapidly
through the country which had so strangely
fascinated my every admiration. II my de-
light at the general aspect of this country
had been great from the distance, 1t suffered
no diminution as | passed through the
| spirited and enterprising towns and looked
upon one unbroken line of fertile and
luxurious farming homesteads 1t is the
most improved agricultural districts through
which | ever had the pleasure TO pass, and
the pleasing and animated picture which
everywhere met my eyes will last whilst
memory retains anything of the past,
II had been twenty years since your cor
respondent had been in the city of Fred
erick; twenty years, and how fierce and
bitter the fight with ocean and storm-twen-
ty years, and what hopes had been scattered,
what glories lie dead-twenty years, and
how memory, like gay flower.gatherer, re-
traces the shining track of the past to search
for the beautiful and pleasant, and creeps
through every soft corner of the heart TO
find the little mementoes which have been
stored away. Walking out of the City Ho-
tel on the street there was not a face | could
read nor a familiar object to be seen, change
had written its monogram In every direc-
ton, but 1t was the change of improvement
The old houses had given way to large and
substantial buildings, and the more promi
nent ones at the time to which have re-
ferred had been improved with large and
imposing fronts. The city everywhere pre-.
scented a bright and lively aspect. 1t could
not be otherwise, situated in the lap Of q
rich, productive and healthy country. The
old Court House had disappeared, and in its
placea strikinglyi handsome sBdctdre was
to be seem, another telling evidencn lof the
grewth Of enterprise, intelligenceand wealth
Of the county and city. e,o .r,,,,4, H.,
Remembering among the pleasant associ-
atoms of former days. the Citizen and its
brainy, big-hearted and fearless editor, the
late John w. Baughman, ESQ, at once re-
paired to the Office of the same where was