Spirit Of Jefferson

The Spirit of Our People.

Editor of the Spirit:

The enterprising spirit evinced by the citizens of Charlestown, in the circumstances of political and social depression which untoward events have brought upon them, is truly remarkable. The buoyant spirit of the South, it seems, is not to be repressed by any adversity, however sharp or painful, but like that sturdy plant which naturalists say becomes more vigorous and elastic from trampling and pressure, our people are showing themselves to be equal to the emergency which is upon them. Our merchants, tradesmen and citizens have manifested a most laudable zeal in providing for the various wants of the people, and to enable the farming community especially to repair the waste places of our land, made waste by a ruthless and unscrupulous enemy. There are various stores in Charlestown which present peculiar facilities for supplying the demands of the community at the present juncture. It is a cheering and gratifying fact, and one well calculated to excite an honest and generous pride on the part of our citizens, that the mercantile establishments of our town offer such large and varied assortments of goods, wares and merchandise, for supplying the multifarious wants of a refined and intelligent population, and an educated and industrious agricultural community. So active and accommodating are our men of business, and so great the facilities they enjoy for procuring transportation, not only from the seaboard, but from all interior points of interest, that any article of necessity, taste or desire, however rare, elegant or costly, can be obtained on application, or if not on hand, procured at a few hours notice. The establishment to which the writer of this would, without the least disparagement of others, draw the attention of the public, but particularly the cultivators of the soil, is that of Messrs. Ranson & Duke. These gentlemen have, with most admirable sagacity and ability, introduced and established a new, but most important branch of business, referring specially to the demands of the agricultural interests of the country. Perceiving that the sure and permanent prosperity of the whole country is mainly dependent on, and connected with, the cultivation of the soil, and that our beautiful Valley, from the fertility of its soil and its genial climate, is most eminently an agricultural section, they have most happily adapted their business to the demands of this great and important interest.
Their establishment is one of the largest and most complete of its kind this side of the Potomac, and embraces every description of agricultural and gardening implements, tools, instruments and machines, of the latest and most improved patterns. Here the practical farmer or gardener, or the amateur agriculturalist, may have his every want supplied, or his taste gratified to the uttermost. It is most pleasant for the intelligent mechanic agriculturalist and lover of the rural arts and avocations, to walk through this interesting establishment, admire the fine arrangement of the articles, notice the great number, variety and beauty of the implements, tools, machines, &c., connected with the cultivation of the soil, and the perfect mechanism of their various parts. In connection with the great department of farming and gardening implements, is that of seeds and fertilizers.
Their collection of Reapers, Mowers, Hay Rakes, Drills, &c. &c., is very large and complete, and offers to farmers attractions and inducements which they only can fully appreciate.
In short, we have in Charlestown an establishment pertaining to the various departments of husbandry, as complete and full, if not as large as any which the Atlantic cities can present. It is gratifying to know that these intelligent and enterprising gentlemen have met with very encouraging success, and will with an increasing demand enlarge their stock. They have disposed of a considerable number of Reapers and other important and now indispensable instruments and aids to the agriculturalist, some of which have been sent to distant points up the Valley. Their ware-room is in the Coach Factory of Maj. Hawks, on Liberty street, near the Court-house.

CIVIS.