Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-09-10

|
herewith submitted to be disposed of a.
you think proper.
| Most sincerely yours,
| ELISHA WHITTLESEY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN Having bcer
invited by the Fircmen Of this village, to de-
liver an address on the anniversary occasion
that assemblies lis here; shall al first, brief
ly pay my respects to them and their quests
GENTLEMEN FIREMEN You must con
tend with an element that is blessing ant
scourge. 1t is not only useful, but abso
lutely necessary for preparing our daily food
for clearing away the forest-for our pro-
lection in this latitude against tho cold
for furnishing us with light, when the orb
of day dcsconds beyond the western horizon
for making our dwellings the comforta.
blc abodes Of the family circle-for furnish
ing the motive powor for the rail roads that
traverse continents with speed unknown
before the present century-for steam boats
that movo upon every sea and occan-for
bringing to the surface of the earth, the
various treasures within-for putting in mo-
tion the machinery that manufactures oa,
wearing apparel and other articles for house.
hold usc-and that fabricatcs for use or COM
merce the various and complicated articles
made from minerals.
For these purposes, the element of fire
is under tho control OF man. contributing
to his comfort, enjoyment, happiness, secu
/ iritv and wealth.
Your contentious with il commence whom
it is scourge, in destroying property and
life, and then when it is beyond the control ot
tho ordinary associations of man. Atmy
earliest recollections, tie fey fire companies
of that day were in cities tut there, every
man was required to provide ana to keep q
leather bucket, and to attend all fires with
in reasonable limits of his locality. Tbs
organization of fire companies at the pres
snt day, in great measure dspcnses with
the general gathering of citizens when a
fire RACES, and to your associations arc com
rnitted for security and protection, NIL build
ings, and their contents, within the range
of your action.
This is not tho occasion to discuss the rel
ative merits Of the former, and tho present
system. tits generally conceded, | believe,
that losses by fire increase in ratio, far
exceeding the increase of population and
buildings. This l think is owing to various
causes, over which the fire companies have
no control, and for which they are not re-
sponsible. Chimnies are of lighter con-
struction with less attention to the safety
of tiues-stoves are insecuroly set up, with
their pipes in contact with wood spacious
vaults in chimneys for receiving ashes, are
dispensed with, and barrels are substituted,
causing the destruction by fire of many
houses and stores.
The destruction of property by fire in
Europe is of a ratio much less than that in
this country, and it has been accounted for
in late publication, on the ground, that
the proportion of wood buildings is less
there than hars. That may in part account
for tho disparity, but the largest losses in
proportion 10 the value of buildings in this
country is in our cities, built of brick
exclusively. Europeans are more care
full than Young Americans, and lights
ale not used by every child in the
house; but We should have fewer dostruc-
tive firos in our cities, if Europe would re-
tain her convicts at home. Personally, I
have not objected to foreign emigration, of
honest industrious people, whether rich or
poor; but foreign emigrants, as well as ma
tive Americans, have right to demonstrate
against the public authorities abroad send
ing here their paupers, beggars and convcts.
Buildings, and stores III particular, have
been known to be set on fire to recover insu-
rancos. Such disclosures are unfavorable
to healthy state Of morals; but tho last
two or three years in their developments of
frauds, breaches Of trusts, and atrocious acts
of dishonesty committed by men of distinc-
tion, young and old-esteemed for their
honesty, admouish us all to profit
by the instruction of tho Apostle Paul,
Wherefore let him that thinketh he stand |
eth take heed let he fall"
There is much justice and practical good
common sense in making each hundred la-
bIe for robberies, and other crimes commit !
ted in their bounds, ms prescribed by var-
Ous statutes in England. Each person be-
ing peculiarly liable to pay, according to his
neans-has motive to watch every sus-
pcious person, and to bring to punishment
hose who have violated tho laws. The
'ame principle l have understood prevails
n France in regard to the Joss of property
BY fire, and tho consequence is, that tho de-
truction Of property by fire in France, is
ess in tho ratio, than in any other country.
fire companies arc to continue, and to in
rease in all Of our cities, principal towns
md villages; but submit for the consider.
tion of the citizens of Fremont and else
where, that they ought to attend with the
ro companies and render all the aid in
heirpower. Citizens can do much towards
rresting this fearfully destructive element; {
nd it is common cause in which all can 7
mite. 1t is in fires as in other concerns of !
fe, "that an ounce of preventive, is better (
han a pound Of cure" was in New $
'ork in tho great fire of ls45, which COM v
fenced near to, or on Broad street, extend v
TO near the Battery, and wcst to Broad. v
ay. In ono or two instances it crossed h
roadway, and consumed buildings on and d
stwesn it, and Greenwich street. Accord a