Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-01-16

lakes ana rivers mas increased thrccfOl0 IN
twenty years, and our trade with Canada,
which is now very important, fourlold. For
many years Ohio has built more vessels than
tho majority Of the States, and is now the
fifth in ship building. Thus the commerce
derived from our extensive lake and river
boundary contrasts as strongly with former
periods as does the growth Of other branch
es of industry and enterprise.
WEALTH OF oUlo-THE SECOND STATE IN
| ra THE UNION.
From this statement Of the increased pop
ulation, production, industry and commerce
of Ohio, it follows that its wealth, which is
but the creation of those elements, must
have increased in equal proportion. At the
time we were about forming our Consttu-
tiOn, sixty years since, ii il doubtful whether
the entire State, considered as property,
could be fairly estimated at more than forty
millions of dollars. In ls40,. the assessed
Value Of property was buttf2S, ,353, ,657, or
threefold that of 1902. In 1850, under a
new principle of assessment, the valuation
was S439, g66, $40, or threefold that of I840
In 1850, the aggregate value Of property was
1888, 302, ,60l, or double that of 1850. The
annual increment Of wealth from 1902 to
1910, supposiug the assessment to be fair
STANDARD of comparison, was but two mil
lions; but from lS40 to 1850 il was thirty
millions; and from 1850 to 1860 it was forty
millions. Ii the next ton years should be
attended by no more adverse circumstances
than those which are past, the wealth of
Ohio will be increased at least four hundred
millions at the end of that period, making a
due allowance for diminished immigration
and extent of new lands to be cultivated.
| ha nj Of,
we take into view the large amount which es
capes assessment, and the small value placed
upon the animals and other species of per-
sonal property, cannot be estimated at less
than a thousand millions of dollars, or
twenty-fvefold that of 1902 That this is
very nearly correct, we have another proof
in the fact that the value Of exported pro-
ducts made from the materials and labor of
Ohio, amounts to sixty millions per annum.
five consider that the people have not only
exported that amount but have received al
so nearly all their food, much of their cloth
ing, and comfortable homes from lands and
labor which do not enter into exports, it will
not be difficult to see that the capital which,
united with labor, has produced these re-
suits, must be fully equal to the estimate.
The accumulation of this wealth, as the
result of the growth and labor of sixty years,
is one of the most extraordinary facts in the
growth Ofthe United States.
In 1850, but three States exceeded in value
the State of Ohio, and New York alone, the
present value of Ohio. Virginia was more
than one hundred and fifty years older than
Ohio. It had one-third more surface, had
abundant mines OF coal and iron. and conf
municated with the ocean by the finest rivers
and harbors Yet, after assessing onethird
of her population as property, the whole
value fell one hundred millions short of that
}ufsD Dhio. ir7the futufes Ncftieaf yc0nofuis'
shall search for an Illustration of the supe.
rior value OF free institutions, he will search
in vain for one more effective. 1i
After thus surveying our national growth,
we must at last return to social influences
and social results, us the true tests OF what
our institutions have accomplished. In the
midst Of their material prosperity, are the
people happy, comfortable and enlightened
In the absence of any positive test of the in
ternal state of society, we must resort to such
elements of morals, education and religion
as in all civilized states are admitted to be
the outward signs of q social condition.
INCREASE IN EDUCATION.
The principle of an universal public edu
cation was embraced in all the laws and or
dnances organizing the institutions of thu
State. The United States granted lands
the State adopted the principle in her Con
, stitution, and for half a century various law
have been enacted, and taxes laid to carr!
ont fully the original intention. that thu
, whole people should be educated. To d.
this, however, required not merely laws ant
; money, but social experience, adaptation
of means which could only be the growth Of
. time After many difficulties, and the laps
of many years, it has been accomplished
and our school system, if not perfect, is Ger
, tainly giving an elementary education to tn
people; it is not merely the growth of mum
bers, but the growth ofa system, who's
' comprehensive benefits and influences em
brace the whole people.
A l. The increase in the extent and application
Q of public education to the people, may be es
g tween the population at given periods an
D the number attending all the places Of educa
= ton. a, ai
In ls0, c546i2. 16 per OF population in schoo
In si9. }576OS. rs per of population in schoo
In is9 .oO0034. 81 per OF population in schoC
d Thus we find the proportion of those &c
g ucated doubling in twenty years, and if "
4 refer to the scale of studies, the introductio
], of High Schools, and the general advanc,
J, ment of pupils we shall find that the az
i, vance in the quality and value Of educatio
q is fully equal to that in the number of II
L instructed. There are now over 10000
It pupils in all the places of public education
IS Over one fourth the entire population in Il
h midst of growth are seeking the moral al
70 intellectual advancement which educatiS
e confers, and In this fact lies the sure found
ID ton of social stability and prosperity.