Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1916-06-13

about character, about the character
OF West Virginia. and about the great
things that have been done.
Great as West Virginia is In
natural resources. grandeur OF
scenery and industrial supremacy,
we must always remember that
her future greatness and welfare
will after all be most largely de-
termined by the character OF her
citizens. Character can not be
bought; it can not be lost; it is
not feeting shadow Though
West Virginia were by some mys-
ferrous calamity deprived Of her
vast wealth and resources, the
high character Of her people
would still stand as an eternal
monument to be admired by fu-
ture generations. Your present
enort, therefore, 10 secure the IN
terest and cooperation OF our
youth ~ evidently OF the highest
Importance. II is the best birth
day present you can give to West
Virginia"
Patriotic Duty.
Congressman Nicely, Of the First
District, has also sent a message. He
Is particularly impressed with the val
liable idea Of reminding ourselves, by
a birthday celebration, relative to
things that we might otherwise forget.
Your ambitious undertaking TO
celebrate the Fifty-third birthday
OF West Virginia in the manner
outlined IN your letter OF May
18th. merits the hearty support OF
every patriotic citizen of the
State. Your plan is admirable.
Its execution should result in CIV
Ing to the world great deal OF
valuable information regarding the
wonderful natural resources Of a
commonwealth that is destined to
be one Of the foremost States OF
all the world. | wish you, your
organization ana your enterprise
boUndiess success"
The Flags Body Guard
There ia a very pretty idea being
worked out IN Parkersburg. The
parade will be headed by the flag Of
West Virginia and the flag OF the
United States. carried side by side
The escort OF these flags win be fifty
three girls, or young ladies', all dressed
alike, and they viii swing into the
reviewing stand as the body guard OF
the hags, while The rest or the parade
goes by. The fifty-three girls VIII
typify the ffty-thres years Of the
States life. and this beautiful idea
could be worked out everywhere: 50
Henry H Archer has sent suggestions
along this line to every community OF
the State. asking; frstS that a pro
YisionaI Committee OF three be APP
pointed 10 organize local celebra-
ton: that this provisional Committee
then meet with the men and women
connected with organized bodies
churches. orders. schools, Boy Scouts.
farmers organizations. and SO On;
then that this general Committee ar
range whatever seems best to com
memorate the day But the particular
thing that Mr. Archer wants borne IN
mind IS the desire Of the West Virginia
Board 81 Trade to receive word at once
a. 10 all who serve on Committees, and
particularly the names and addresses
OF the girls who dress 10 typify the
hfty-three years Of the State.
Local Celebrations.
Local celebrations are already being
plr nned on a large scale in Wheeling,
ua.-.r gton and Charleston. But even
il every large town in West Virginia
were to have q birthday celebration on
June 5atb ihis would not be enough.
Every county seat should do SC nething
to mark the day on the memory Of AL
its people In addition. the people OF
a district who could not take the trip
to the county seat. should act together
and have a community picnic. and
where just the folks u a neighbor-
hood wait 10 do IL, they ought 10 make
u2 a little party among themselves.
send Greetings.
Let every family IN West Virginia
resolve that on June 2oth one or more
letters win 20 outside the state to
relatives and friends. telling them that
June goth is the Fifty-third birthday
OF Vregt Virginia, that West Virginia
has wonderful opportunities In It, that
the Iatch-string OF the State ID out to
all who VIII come here 20 help use its
resources and thus build 1t to greater
things.