Thursday, November 10, 1898
One of the most statesmanlike and judicious speeches made during the campaign just closed was delivered by Hon. H. G. Davis at Piedmont. It deserves to become historical and adopted as a model of public addresses. It concludes with these sentiments, worthy of permanent remembrance by our young men.
“Our Republic is based upon self-government. It is a principle which the founders charged us to guard well. As long as the Government remains of the people, it is safe. When it drifts into the hands of the few, it has lost its anchorage and is in danger.
Rome, the greatest republic the world has ever seen, prospered and grew as long as local self-government was practiced. When the control of her affairs passed into the hands of selfish and ambitions men, her strength was weakened. They sought to enlarge their power by conquering and governing other countries, but the citizen was no longer independent and free. His rights and liberties were usurped and the principle of self-government was gone. The nation tottered and fell, destroyed by the want of vigilance of the people in preserving their liberties as free and independent citizens.
Remember to keep well within your control the right of representation and taxation, to hold your representatives accountable to you for their stewardship and to preserve inviolate the principles of free government.
PERSONAL NOTES
H. A. Yeager has been in Marlinton a few days and arranged to make Huttonsville his place of business for the fall and winter establishing a plant for the manufacture of staves and barrel headers between Huttonsville and Beverly.
Married – at the Bird Hotel November 2, 1898, by W. T. Price, Mr. Dock Sheets and Miss Nannie A. Tacey. The parties are from the vicinity of Green Bank, and were attended by James Tacey, brother of the bride, and Miss Sheets, sister of the groom.
T. F. Callison sold his lot of three year old cattle to S. J. Payne last Wednesday. There were 16 head which averaged 1,460 pounds. A yoke of oxen sold with them, weighing 4,080 pounds. This was considered the top bunch of cattle in the Greenbrier Valley.
A flourishing lyceum has been organized at Pine Grove and some spirited discussions have been held on questions of current interest. Some of the brightest names in the history of American statesmanship attribute their earliest inspiration to the influence of the country lyceum, or debating club. It affords the education that educates, when properly conducted.
BIOGRAPHIC NOTE
Nathan Burgess married Martha Kinnison, of Charles Kinnison, the pioneer, and settled on lands now in the possession of the Payne Family. He was a skillful gunsmith. Late in the previous century and for a number of the earlier years of the current century, many of the older hunters were supplied by him with rifles. Some of his rifles were used by riflemen in military service. One of the best specimens of his workmanship was made for the late William McNeil, of Buckeye. When last heard of, it was the property of James Moore. It was reported to be one of the most accurate in aim and far reaching of mountain rifles ever in the county. It would be well if it could be gotten and deposited in the Museum of the West Virginia Historical Society at Charleston…
CHORUS OF WOMEN
They’re always abusing the women
As a terrible plague to men;
They say we’re the root of all evil,
And repeat it again and again;
Of war and quarrels and bloodshed,
All mischief, be what it may –
And, pray then, why do you marry us
If we’re all the plagues you say?
And why do you take such care of us
And keep us so safe at home;
And are never easy a moment,
If ever we chance to roam?
When you ought to be thanking heaven
That your plague is out of the way,
You all keep fussing and fretting
Where is my plague today?
If a plague peeps out of the window,
Up go the eyes of the men;
If she hides, then they all keep staring
Until she looks out again.
~ Aritophanes