Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-07-01
WE1rHIER.

eastern exposure, although the instrument did
not occupy precisely the same location. At
the latter date the location was probably lit
tie cooler than the other would have been. But
the difference of temperature between the two
days was Ill degrees. We all found the JAN
uary cold very severe, all the more 20 because
it came upon us very suddenly. We have Ike
wise found the June heat very oppressive, all
the more 80 because there had been no rain for
long time The air was dry. The dust was
annoying in the extreme. The want of rain has
amounted to dearth, causing loss undoubt-
edly, of thousands of dollars already to the
people of Sandusky county. The dearth has
been quite widely extended too. Of course no
man can accurately compute the amount of
damage caused throughout the West by the |
simple want of rain. Should the dearth con-
tinue throughout the summer it is appalling to
think of the consequences.
As one thinks of the vicissitudes of the
weather from year to year he cannot help being
filed with wonder at the power of the human
constitution to adapt itself to the extremes Of
heat and cold eEssstE ~
The variation indicated above does not show
the whole power of theiconstitution. The same
man may at one time bear well the heat of the
Tropics and at another time the cold of the
polar regions. But, in the temperate zones the
changes in temperature are probably quite as
trying, even in the same locality as elsewhere.
The suddenness of changes is very trying
The writer, in August 1863 passed day at
Marquette Lake Superior, when the mercury
stood at 80 degrees. That heat was more ep-
pressive and trying there than in Ohio, besaase
it was more unusual. Yet though the extremes
of heat and cold are trying, with proper care
the constitution is able to bear them all. AS
specimen of the Greater workmanship the hu-
man constitution shows the divine sthought and
skill. Were it less capable Of adapting itself
TO changes of heat and cold it would be very
poorly fitted to the circumstances in which men
have to live. But, as the case stands, it is ex-
actly fitted to those circumstances, True it is
that much suffering is caused by extremes of
heat and cold, and other variationsof the wealth
er. But great share of this results from the
imprudence of men, or their ignorance and
heedlessness, and is not chargeable at all to ma
ture Taken care Of the constitution ordinari-
ly bears all yicissitudes with wonderful adRP-
liability And, if the wisdom of the Creator IS
to be seen at all in his works it is to be seen
in this power of bearing opposite extremes of
| external circumstances.
AS one contemplates the consequences Ofany
extensive dearth during the present season, ap-
prehensions of the most painful kind must come
into the mind. We are already bearing the ca
lamities of war. Must we have added to these
the calamities of scarsity of the produce of the
field? War, pestflahce and famine are nigh
ty, a terrible triad. Either one alone is enough
to make the stoutest heart treinble. But when
two of them, or all of them, come together up.
on people, who can estimate the suffering?-
The effect of summer dry throughout the
country would be very disastrous to the cause
of the Union 1t would make our task much
more difficult Yet it isnot becoming to indulge
in gloomy forebodings. The emay not prove
SO very bad after all. But the thought of such
things is fitted to show us the earnestness of
the times in which we live. It really does seem
as if a large portion Of our people have not yet
come to an appreciation of the times. The spir-
| it of speculation is rampant as ever. Men are
intent upon gain as ever. Many are manifestly
eager to make money out of the necessities of
the country. The spirit of pleasure-seeking is
prevailing. Many hunt for mere enjoyment as
if there were no danger to the national life
The spirit of the people yet falls largely short
| of that heroic devotion which the times should
call out One can hardly avoid asking if it be
necessary that the God of providence increase
and intensity our calamities in order to awaken
US to a proper sense Of our position and dangers.
| The vicissitudes of the weather are fitted to
exhibit tous the utter powerlessness Of menin
their relations to the providential oversight of
the world. The conditions ofsuccess and plen-
| ty are in general, virtue and industry. And yet
the most virtuous industrycan securesno bene-
fits without the corporation: Of benefcent
Providence The. basis Of all prosperity and
wealth to any people is in agriculture. "The
king himself is served by the field. " The whole
structure of commercial enterprise must fall to
the ground in ruins if agricultural pursuits fail
for any length of time. Our wealth thus far is
developed out of our fields: What we eat, what
we wear, what we build our houses of what
our books are made of, is developed directly or
| indirectly from the soil. And one of the nee
essary conditions of successful agricultural la
Dor is found in the rains which fall from the
clouds. The crops of the great Northwest for
example, have been got in this past spring,
with great labor and expense. What interests
are bound up in the growth of the seed sowni
But, it rains not and the crops fail. Man has
no power to remedy the evils which come from
the mere withholding of the showers of heaven.
Utterly impotent the millions of stalwart men
look with unavailng sorrow upon the half
grown grains dropping and dying upon their
broad acres Utterly powerless they gaze into
the heavens cloudless and glaring with heat to
see no sign of coming blessed rain. Is it
wonderful that the Creator sometimes withholds
the showers to teach over-confident man how
utterly dependent he is? / know that many
will say up shaw nonsense. The clouds rain.
God has nothing to do with it. Away with
your can't But wait moment, my impa-
tient friend. There are two kinds of ''cant, -
and many people cant most dreadfully about
cant. Here is the stubborn fact, at any rate,
that not all the power of the nation, or of the
whole human race can possibly water the parch-
ed fields of Ohio. Men think it ''rains itself {"
They imagine that they control all the elements
of success and prosperity. The fact is that the
whole race lies helpless in the hand of some
higher power. And, reader if you prefer to
believe that that higher power is mere nature,
or chance, something without intelligence, be it
so. Iprefer to believe in an intelligent and be-
nevolent Being, who is ruler over land and sea,
wind and wave heat and cold, moist and dry.
If all these things are not fit to be thought OF,
it must be because no moral lessons are to be
derived from nature in her ordinary On-goings.
If it be wise to live as mere money-makers and
seekers after enjoyment, be it so. One thing is
certain: men are noble and worthy of respect