Hide Article Text (OCR)
be done before there coaid be bread produced to feed the wives and little ones, it wab not all toil and labor, however, in those times. The social dance and manly sports were enjoyed with a zest in the ’,og cabin, and our venerable friend Mr. J b B. Etdridge was noted as the most fleet of foot of any man in the w bole country. They enj oyed true pleasure and genuine happiness. It would be veil if we had more of the true sociability found among them, when a log rolling or house raising never faded to bring ail the help needed. No one thought of receiving or giving money for such services, but all turned in and worked manfully until the needed assistance had been rendered, confidently tx. ettiog a full returnwhen desired.One man trusted another with implicit confidence. Notes or mortgages were seldom asked or given, and every mau’s word was as good as his bond. The community was poor, but honesty was the rule of every man’s action. Society was so constituted as to require the utmost honesty and good faith among its mem bers. No bolts or bars guarded the doors of the houses while the occupants were taking their need rest, but at night they retired with a greater feeling of security than we now do with our doors securely fastened, and the guardians of the law keeping faithful watch over our lives and property. Then if *• farmer was culled away from his house.though he lived perhaps miles away from the nearest neighbor, he left his little family with a feeling of perfect confidence in their safety. Now he is in constant fear for them even when at labor in his fields, and if be and his family leave home for a day he frequently re turns to find his house broken open,everything in confusion and his nroperty stolen. Tnere were no tramps in those days to infest the country, but every man earned bis bread by the sweat of his brow.There was but little extravagance; people made it a part of their religion to live within their means. An examination of the Recorders office discloses that for the first five years after the organization of our county just thirteen mortgages were recorded, and every one of them was paid without suit. The people were comparatively poor, but they had fewer wants than we have in modem times. They wore but few silks and broad cloths, but much homespun. There are many things in contemplating those times to admire. The simplicity of manners and ftucal habits, if practiced to a greater detrree now, would have made this cenei aim prosper ms and hap py The3 e av. been great improvements ine seeds of civ lization which were then planted in faith and hope have now blossomed, and we joyfully contemplate rhe sure promise of well matured fruit in rhe future. The tide of prosperity has only becun to flow in upon our county and State, and it will continne until our undeveloped resources have expanded to Qiujestie proportions.Many of the olu ways have passed away. Instead of the little sickle, the farmer now mounts his reaper and cuts is much wheat iu a day as he could in a week by the old method, and his wife cat make more clothing on her sewing machine in an hour than she conic with her needle in a whole day Many have been the inventions which you cow enjoy the benefit of, and which a few years ago were not even dreamed of. By them all classes of society have profitted. The farmer who plows, and sows, and reaps is by muscle producing just se much from the Eoil to teed the world The mechanic who ;.kes a piece of rod or iroa iiw4fc».£ta:e which nature left it, and by putting bit* labor aud skill upon it makes it fit for supplying some of the numerous want? of mankind, is thereby adding just so much to the general welfare. 1 know there is an idea sometimes entertained hat labor-saving machines have been an injury by depriving men of labor, but this is a gre?.t mistake. The more human ingenuity enables us to make use of the invisible forces of nature to perform oui labor, the lighter becomes the burdens, and the more dignified and ennobling becomes human labor, which, by this means, is raised from mere drudgery toaa intelligent power directing an unseen force to do its bidding. The use that mankind nave been able to make of these invisible forces of nature has done much for the ( elevation and ease of laboring men and ' women. We are happy and prosperous in proportion to the satisfaction of our wants, and any agency which more fully or easily enables us to satisfy them is an advance. Lee us then pay honor to those who by patient labor and thought have increased those facilities.No one class of any community can be benefiued without all reaping a portion ut the reward. Society is so closely interwoven that no member can be injured or blessed without all feeling the effect. Like the complex faculties and organs which make up the human system, no one of them can be injured without the whole being eff cted. lienee, in our efforts to advance we should not entertain jealousies of one another. If the farmersbecome rich and prosperous, the merchant shares in their pros perity, and if any one class improves in mental culture all will share in it. Every school house and church which has been erected has added to the means of bettering the people, and we can rejoice that year by year we have seen these trained agencies of improvement grow. Much has been done to improve us. The country is dotted all over with beautiful farms, and the city presents an array of beautiful architecture and solid comfort. But much more remains to be accomplished, and to effectually make the improve raent which all hope for, all must si ami together. We must labor for each other’s interests, and again rtnew the oiden-time sociability and mutually bear each other’s burdens. We must cultivate the spirit of helping others as well as ourselves.There have been pinching hard times for some time past. Many have been the sorrows endured, but let us all take courage for the light seems to be breaking throughthe thick cloud .which for so long has beenovershadowing us. The bountiful harvest which has just been garnered will star; the wheels of prosperity. Let us hope, and by patient industry and economy they may be kept rolling.1 might recount the deeds of valor and amuse yon with a review of the anecdotes of early times, but these venerable old fathers and mothers who were the actors can do justice to them better than I This Is an occasion of ail others, which ought to afford us pleasure. It always his been one of the greatest pleasures of every nation or community to content s 1 plate and recount the deeds of valor and a | tue privations of the founders of their prosperity. The ancient Greek and Ro-iaeain spent much of his time in singing e glorious praises of their heroes. What a j more enjoyable occasions than this, when the early settlers meet at these reunions and extend to each oher the hand of friendship and recount their privations, pleasures
Newspaper Details
Logansport Weekly Journal
Logansport, Indiana, US
Sat, Aug 24, 1878
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Roberta H.
USA 27 Jan 2020
Other Publications Near Logansport, Indiana
Logansport Daily Reporter
Logansport Weekly Star
Logansport Daily Star
Logansport Democratic Pharos
Logansport Morning Journal
