The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1866-07-27
ginurEr Aistorg.
EARLY "REMINISCENCES AND HIS
TORY OF THE MAUMEE.
ADDRESS of w. V. WAY.
Delivered before the NIaunIcc VUlIcy
Pioneer Association, at their AM
nual Meeting. i'm the City of
-. .t. Toledo, July 4, 1SGG.
OUR NATIONAL BIRTHDAY.

The annual meeting of the Pioneer Asso-
ciahon being on the 4th of July. implies a
desire to connect the commemoration 0t the
events Of the day, with those of our Pioneer
settlement.
This organization has been made to bring
together the early settlers of the Maumee
Valley, who have pioneered its trackless
forests, aud reduced them to comfortable
homes, torencw and pcipetuate the recol.
lection of their early experiences.
We feel Just pride in meeting together,
and referring back to the time of IFS first
settlement, aud contrasting it with what it
is now.
The recurrence Of our great national hol-
iday, reminds us of the early events in the
history of the country. We feel pride IN
referring back to our colonial history, and
contrasting it with its present colossal
greatness. ....s tsV.
These considerations, make it proper that
something should be said of the day and lis
associations, as well as of the events IN our
local history.
GROWTH OF THE UNITED STATES.
On the 4th Of July, 1916, the thirteen col
olrcs. which constituted the Pioneer States
OF this Union, contained OILY 2.003,00O III
habilants, including about 100000 slaves
In 1860, the United States contained 81 445,
0S0 inhabitants, including slaves and free
| persons of color. embracing thirty live
| States and seven Territories. If we allow
the same ratio of increase of population for
each year, from 1860 to the present
time, that took place between $50 and ! $50
/ and nG,l5, proper deductions for soldiers
lost in the recent war, the present popull
ton is about 37006,0 900 Inhabitants.
! In 1892, when the revenue for each year
was first kept distinct, the legitimate income
| to the Treasury, was ouly S3,4t3,0I0. The
| public debt was $71 ,227,9 ,924.
| The legitimate income to the Treasury
! for the fiscal year Just closed, is about $40,
! 100000. The public debt, on the first day
| of january last. was 81 ,S00,00G 600.
| This comparison shows the public debt il
1892 was % 4l0 tines greater than the
revenue, vii le in the last fiscal year, the
! public debt, large as it is, was only about
! 5 l.5 times greater than the revenue.
Triiling as the public debt was at the
close of the Revolutionary war; in coppar
ison with the present debt the Government
! staggered under ITS weight, and the people
| found it difficult to pay their taxes.
| But such has been the progress OF the
country in wealth and resources, that we
can now pay an annual revenue OF IN IRE
than $500,000,0 600, and lave plenty OF money
to sport in luXnries and eXtravigunces, tha
we do not need, and which our revolution
AIRY ancestors knew pothing about.
The census returns for 1860, show thai
the lands and personal property of the
country amounted 70 more than $4,000,
! 600, 600. This sum is only about one-llal
of its value II we add bonds, mortgages
/ and other securities not taken into the cen
sus account, we have at least $3j 900, 900,
900 as the wealth of the country. Eight
per cent. on this amount, will pay off tht
national debt.
At the close of the Revolutionary war
the people were poor and their annual in
comes small. Then, there was not a mile o
rail oAd or canal, or a single tton gin
| Now, we have more than 5000 miles OF ca
nal in the United States, constructed at /
cost of about Sl00,0 900, 600, aud 33 222 miles
of railroad finished, at a cost of 81 1872 900,
900 AL about 10000 miles more under
construction. We also have between fifty
aud sixty thousand miles of telegraph line ii
operation, including one 81 aiming the con
! tinent from New York to San francisco
Foreign cmigrants are hocking to oul
shores with money and muscle, to become
! Pioneers in our unoccupied Territories and
contribute to the national wealth.
oUR TRIUMPH OVER THE REBELLION.
These compa, isors have been made Ia
show the ditferel CO be- wetu the cluditiOI
of the country when the Nation sprung into
existence ont of the trying period OF tho
| Revolutionary war, and now, when it has
| Just come out of a terrible coilict with
itself The history Of the world does mo-
present a parallel in its greatness or in the
earncstness Of The conflict. The successful
issue of the suusgle, however, proves, tina
the present generation, has been as patri
otic to defend and protect, as their ancestors
were to establish the Governm mt. Tho
Pilgrims constructed, anl the Pilgrims de-
Tended the Government for Freedom ",
mourn for the valuable lives this cohac
has cost us.
The hattl -ields,where our armies fought
attest the suflerings of our soldiers, and
will be lasting monuments OF their bravery
and valor. The surrender of the Conteder
ate flag, has made, the Stars and Stripes
more dear to MS than ever.
Although eleven stars are now dimmed
and passing under the cloud of rebellion
yet hope is alive, that through just re
construction of the political armament, they
will reappear in their place, as much more
brilliant than formerly, as freedom is Gdop'
slavery,
The people of the old Colonies, both Nortl
and South, in connection with the mothel