Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1867-11-01

mense resources in every thing which
goes to make it a powerful nation, Of
the intelligence and enterprise Of its
people, but above all. Of its glorious
political institutions, so immeasura.
bly, superior to those Of any other
land. This pride in whatever is great
and noble in country, is simply re.
flex of the minds Of the people. Show
US the man who feels no pride in the
greatness and virtue Of his country
and you will have discovered one de.
void Of virtue himself and too narrow
minded to comprehend greatness in
anything.
But the pride Of the citizen should
not only comprehend his whole coun.
try, but should include his State, his
county, his town, his family and him
self. He who has no pride in him
self-who fails to command his own
respect--is on the brink Of ruin, and
vii, most likely topplc over So he
who cares little for the reputation Of
his family will inevitably bring re-
proach upon them. This principle ex-
tends equally to towns and counties.
Pride in self leads one to take such a
course of self unprecedented an
advance in noble qualities-as to com
mand the respect and admiration #
others. So a proper pride Of town
and county would naturally lead US to
public improvements Of every posi-
bic character, and to the forwarding
Of all enterprises which would secure
the respect Of men generally.
Our own county of Buchanan is
naturally one Of the very best in the
State. 1t possesses all those natural
u necessary TO make a com
muni,y rich and happy. W. boast
as rich soil, as clear water, as health
full a climate, as can be found in the
Northwest. Our population is prob
ably as intelligent as that Of any 9TH
CIR county in the State. Yet, for all
this, there is in our midst a lack of
the proper public spirit, ofthat vigor
and enterprise which characterizes
some Of orr neighbors. For instance,
compare the roads Of our county
with those of Fayettc. While in our
own county you will only here and
there find a decently worked road,
properly kept up, with the bridges in
repair and everything in order for
next springs fight with mud and wa
ter, in Fayette, the main roads are
well worked, and even the smaller
bridges we'll built, with neat ratings
and guards, rendering both roads and
bridges safe for travel either by day
or night. Follow out the road. from
Independence in any direction and
you will run across from one TO a
dozen little broken down bridges,
whose ~forlorn condition speaks shift
l~essness to every passer by. Now this
is not only perfectly useless, but ex-
Gee dinghy rcprehensible. A faithful
application of road moneys and road
muscle would obviate it all. and at
least keep up the improvements al
ready made. Whenever road super
visors faifin their duty they should be
made to feel the Indignation OF the
public. Whenever on the other hand,
men work out their tax. they should
be required to perform their days
work as faithfully and honestly as
though they were in the employ of in
dividuals. Pride of loo ality and self
interest, as well as the commonest
honesty, ought to impel every man TO
do this without compulsion, but it is
a we'll known fact that work on the
reads is very nearly 4 sham. As usu-
ally performed. Every man in the
county ought to take a pride in hav-
ing good roads-every nan would
then be found willing TO do his part
toward securing them. 1t is a kind of
enterprise which always pays we'll in
the long run. Good roads not only
render INSTRUMENTATION easy, but
by their very existence enhance the
value Of real estate. They not only
render it easy for the farmer to reach
a market with his produce, but they
add naturally to the value Of every
foot Of his land. Why cannot the
citizens of Buchanan county view
these questions with an enlightened
reference to the upbuilding Of the
county and the consequent upbuilding
OF themselves There Is no denying
the fact that in road matters Buchan-
an is behind her sister counties. 1t is
of no use TO ignore our shortcomings.
Others sec them, and it is impossible
to escape from their consequences.
Let us arouse in road nat tiers as we
are dong IN school matters No one
in the county can help feeling a just
pride at the progress already making
in our schools. Let us extend the field
Of our exertions and enterprises as to
include our facilities Of imtercommu-
and we shall have taken
an other step towards u higher civil