Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-02-22
8fotoro ynquurr.
GOING WEST.

Every few days, some one of our subscrl-
bers drops into our Office to order lot OF
sale bills for himself or his neighbor prepar-
atory to moving west. When questioned as
to his motives for going west, the reply is
land is cheaper, opportunities are greater,
the people are more enterprising. These
people looking westward are always Of one
or the other Of two classes. Young persons
who, to use their own language, want to 90
where the people are wide awake or older
persons, who lacking enterprise themselves,
hope by getting into live communities to be
waited on to fortune on the current Of other
peoples energies. To both classes we would
say, look before you leap, think before you
move. Be sure that the same labor expen
dcd, the same energies put forth and the
sslrae hardships endured here would not yield
you the same return as there. Thousands
yearly leave good farms, comfortable homes
and kind friends, in this and other parts Of the
State, to seek their fortunes in the far west.
Many, dissatisfied with their western expert
ence, return in few years to find their former
homes occupied by more prudent and thrifty
men, while they themselves are poorer than
when they first left the old homestead.
Others succeed in their new homes and
write glowing letters to old friends and ac-
quaintances Of the tempting prospects of
che great west, but if ey,wondering at the
stolidity that keeps people among the hills
OF old Pennsylvania, conclude to visit their
old home and see what is wrong, they gen
orally find the friends they left behind them,
quite as well off as themselves and some
times little better. Distance lends enchant-
ment to the view in going west as well as
in many other things We would not deter
any one from going where he is convinced
he can succeed best in his calling whatever
it may be. But Pennsylvania has not yet
reached the maximum density Of population
consistent with the highest prosperity
This is the case not only in agricultural and
mining pursuits hut in the numberless other
attending trades and professions. Even
Bedford county is capable Of sustaining
double her present population and giving to
all advantages of every kind superior to
what the present population now enjoys.
We are called slow andold fogy. So we will
continue to be while the young and enter
prising portion Of our population yearly
emigrates to the west. 1t is to the young
VIC must look for enterprise and not to the
old. 1t is the greater preponderance Of
young men in our Western States that give
them their character for thrift and energy.
There is not farm in Bedford county on
which twice as much labor and capital could
not be expended with a two or threefold
increase of profits. There is not factory
of any kind in the county possessing the
requisite power where the machinery and
hands employed might not be doubled with
profit to the manufacturer his employees and
the community around about him. Energy
in one branch of business begets energy in
another, so thrift begets thrift If our
young men will stay at home and devote
their time, talents, energies and capital tC
the development of our own resources We
viii soon cease to be called old fcgy.