Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1893-12-14

NHyuceUOIO Hu6 IOCdtcI uert nuu VIII vi
nur Tailoring. We.have'been in sore need of
one and Mr.. RoePncr should do well. He has
served an apprenticeship and guarantees a
tit. He is located in Mr.. Chas Stokes room
Oh Wa,er.st.. opposite the Morayian Church,
Look HIM up.
communicated.
The recipient of the following ltttcr,
deeming it worthy. hands It to usfor'pubIica.
ton. Ed
Dec. 9th. 1893.
Mr.. Van B. Osler,
Mechanicstown, Nd.
Dear Sir;
Knowing you TO be possessed Of public
spirit, al having been actively and SUCCESS.
fully identified with the material progress
Of Mechanicst0wr'f for the past quarter Of a
century, and believing that you feel an hon.
orable pride in tho place Of your birth; l
feel constrained to write to you upon sub.
ject which l have endeavorCd TO put away
from meas one IN which ought to have NO
concern, being no longer . resident Of the
town, but the more haye striven TO driseft
away from, ME, the more persistently hss 1t
required TO my mind, that it Is my duty to
appeal to my former fellow townsmon to
consider well,ln all Its bearings, the past, he
present and the future, the effect of the
proposed change Of name. What is wrong
with the present name? Haa the town
ceased to bc town OF Mechanics ? Will a
beltas sounding name induce capital to
invest among us? Is there hume that can
be chosen that will awaken and arouse
among the Ia:iye horn Of the
place as the old maine, Mechauicstown, will?
The old town has prespc,ed in the past, It's
citizens have toiled, prospcred, and died,
leaving the record of their good deeds to
their children, as an incentive to honorable
toll and upright conduct, and notwiths'and.
ing the fact that many left the homes OF
their EEhers TO seek, with brave hearts and
manly spiri,s, their fortunes in lands far
distant, the old town Increased slowly, but
surely IN population and wealth. Those
wanderers eyer look upon the old town as
home, and no other name would sound so
sweet te them as the name they knew in
boyhood and girhood.
The town has history Of which we all
feel proud; would you change the name:
You, sir, were one Of number, scarcely
passed the line which separates boyhood
from manhood, who thirty one years ago,
left the old town one bright summers morn
ing. to battle in defence of your native land.
That was q sorrowful, although u proud
morning for tue old town. Not all Of that
brave band returned. Snue had crossed
the river" but in the battle ofthe Wilderness
Fishers Hill, and in almost every contest in
which the Army Of the Potomac was engaged
they left the record of brave men and fear.
less patriots. The survivors returned to
take tlcr places as citizens OF the old town
resting under the shadow Of the mountain.
Their lives form portion oith history Of
The place. How will it be Il in after years
some Ioys, of heroic deeds and patient
prl severance were L. undertake to write the
History of the men who went forth TO the
war, discharged their duty nobly, and rec
turned 10 their town to become Influential
and progressive members of the community
To the oldcn generation, the new name
would recall ths old but the stranger without
the gates would be pnzzed to know who
were n.rnnt, and from whence they sprung
The name Of our country was, may say
not that which should, under strict applica
ton OF the rules Of equity have been applied
to 1t hut its settlement achieved by the
heroism and self denial Of brave men and
heroic women, the achievement of it's indie
ucndencc its stand against BlI~isl rs .cealon
in 1912, the Mexican War, the Civil War,
its material progress, its marvellous dcvel'
opment, its uncxampled prosperity, We're al
under the name " America
Would you change II TO Columbia! So also
all that has been gained III progress, wealth
and culture has been done under name
tina, has become endeared to US by birth
and association. 1t 10 claimed BY some that
a change OF name would draw capital TO our
town. No question rs to name was raised
when the w. II. r X. made it point, no
objection WAS made to Its name by the stran'
gers who settled among us. Investing their
capital or labor OF both with profit to them
selves, and advantage to the community
bu, now, when the progress otlhc
place Is temporarily stopped II is proposed
x see i, stated as a matter of buslness) to
change the name Of the town. Whvt II n
matter o. business, to induce capital to locates
No change Was necessary in the past, and
you, and every one who hae experience in
business affairs know that if the opportunity
preseuts itself, Capital takes very little NC
count Of aught else save the guarantee OF
profit upon the INVESTMENT.
For those of our fellow 'towlsncn who
cu,ne to us ST rangers and cast their lot Will
us have the greatest respect. Probably the
old name has not for them, 80 dear SOUND.
But would say TO them IN all charity, you
have been received @i,h open hands, YOU
became as ourselves. and ali W. ask Of you II
not to spurn the ZANE of your second moth
er. Would you expect the jew TO advocate
q change III The name Jerusalem, the
Italian in that of Rome, the Englishman IL
that OF London? Enter then III this matter
into our feelings and JOIN with us in hsldna
sacred the name Of our birthplace. N,
father was a Mechanic, and also learned !
mechanical trade, by wiRch, believe,
would be able 10 maintain my family shoult
the occasion require. believe that today,