Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-12-17
What Are You Doing, ;.

This important enquiry was addressed "a
Gf a few weeks ago by 'oue who was univer.
lily known and respected by the Oldest as
we'll as nearly all the younger citizens Of the
Miami Valley. He was q man Of great energy.
Industry, and enterprise, and had a vast
amount OF intelligence and practical, good
common sense In 1905, when only about 81
years of age, he in company with comparison
from his neighborhoOd in Pennington. New
Jersey, Abijah Hunt, set out on horseback to
explore this western country. Aher crossing
the rugged Alleghanies. and exploring the
Miami Valley, they passed down South TO New
0rleansj but no part Of the South or West
seemed so inviting as the spot where Dayton
now stands. and to this place our traveller rs>
turned and took up his permanent abode. His
first night was passed at log tavern where
all the beds were engaged, and he was nscessa>
Tily compelled 10 take his saddle for pillow
and sleep on the floor In this way the first
night was passed in Dayton by the late Horatio
@. Phillips-for Of him the reader will per.
eeiVe we are writing; a gentleman who has
for more than half a century taken a leading
part in laying broad aud deep the fouudation
OF our mighty western empire. His last words
addressed to US, What are you doingH" We
hastily replied to, and passed on, little think
ing at the time that we should never behold
him again but how solemn and important
those words now appear to us, not because they
were uttered by a gentlemen Of great enter
prise and wealth. but because We had known
him as friend, from our earliest recollection,
TO all who were engaged in developing the Te>
sources Of the Miami Valley.
Mr.. Phillips had taken Actiye part from
the time he located IN this beautiful valley
until his death, in improving its towns and
country, and no man was more sucesssful in
all his undertakings. He always knew what
he was doing and the results OF his labors are
to be seen in every direction.
Reader, "what are you dOings" Are you en-
gagged at some useful, honest employment, cal.
culatsd to promote the welfare Of society, or are
you idling away your time at places Of amuae.
mentf Do you spend your evenings at home
with your family, striving to teach them les.
sons Of morality and virtusi Arsyou engaged
at this time in such pursuits az are best ndaps
led TO improve your temporal and spiritual
WAlfsref Have you just conception Of the
many obligations that you are under to your
forsfathers, to your country and TO God, for the
inheritance Of this fruitful. beautiful valley,
and the freedom you enjoyf Or are you plots
ting mischief, and willing to sacrifice every
principle for the sake Of oficef Do you fully
understand the price that WAS paid for your lib.
critics. and the improvement Of the county in
which you liver Is your time employed in
rounds of pleasure, or nt the gaming table, stri.
wing to kill time, soul and body, or are YOU
seeking out the poor and trying to relieve their
wAntsS Have you any idea Of how much good
you may be able to do for your fellow mani
Do you VISIT the widows and the fathorlsss in
their Affections, aud relieve their wants this
cold weather. Are you a man blessed with
this worlds goods, and Asd do you take pleas
ure in giving employment 10 those Who used
III ordo you take advantage Of the psesssItiss
Of your neighbor, and grind the faces .ofs ths
pOorf ~
What are you doingi The old piOasers were
great workers. Nicholas LOagvorth, Jno. N.
O. SChsnck and Horatio @. Phillips. al came 70
this valley from New Jersey. poor young men;
but they were early taught habits Of industry and
economy. Here habits they brought with them
and never lost sight Of them. Few men in any
country have gained greater wealth. Long,
LOngwOrth and Sehosek still survive. Who
are 10 take the places Of these old pioneers,
AHd what are they .dOiDgH