The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1870-10-06
s-----s-----
OF
GEN. w. I'll. GIBSON
AZ the 18th Annual Fair of the Seneca
County Agricultural Society.

co ~
FELLOW CITIZENS :-Gathered from
all the departments of industry and
trade, to this, your Eighteenth Annu-
al Jubilee, you present new proofs
of progress in Agriculture, Manufae-
lures, the Arts, and in those varied
economics that impart charm to
home, and beauty to the homestead.
As we contemplate the early histO-
~ and rapid development Of our
County, our first thoughts should as
cend to Him who led our fathers to
these fertile realms, and who sur
rounds us, to-day, with so many
manifestations ofHis continued favor.
Basing its title upon Revolution
airy success, and winning posses
sion by the argument of battle, the
National Government opened North
Western Ohio for settlement selling
its first lands in August, 1921 lat Della
ware, Ohio.
The Seneca Indians and remnant
of Mohawks, settled on reservations,
embracing 1900 acres, and half a
score of adventurous whites were
herein 1920 but Seneca County had
no place in the census of that decade.
Regions, now so attractive, with
farms and homes and towns, reposed
in the shadows of unbroken solitude,
whilst the deep, tangled woods, offered
lurking places for untamed beasts
and treacherous savages. What a
grand Transformation. fifty years
have wrought! And, how pregnant
those years have been with startling
events in the history of civilization.
Sweeping westward, like an army,
American Pioneers have built cities
and founded cOmmOnwealths on re-
mote plains, and along the shores of
the Western Ocean. Instead of
throwing its protection around g, ,638, =,
GOO people, the Republic now shields
Al ,OOO, 900 of freemen, with the pano-
ply of its benign authority summon
ing thirty-seven States and:nine ter
ritories, instead of twenty-five States
and two Territories, TO the work of
Federal legislation.
The lsardships and privhtions of the
early comeFs to- this County, though
almost forgotten, must Excite our
sympathy, and their patient heroism
surprising warrior courage, COM
mands our admiration.
1t is difficult to realize the great
changes wrought in the material con-
dition, DE social habits, the mode Of
living add IN domestic comforts since
l dliffathers brought the arts ofindus-
Try to these borders. Though poor,
and dwelling in log cabins, they were
rich and happy in the practice and
contemplation of integrity and the
nobler virtues. They indulged in so
cial intercourse. Society was not
then degraded to a mere exhibition OF
personal adornments and formal civ
ilties but its greetings were sincere,
not cold and rnercensry. They visit
ed We CALI The entire afternoon
Or evening was spent around blazing
winter fires, and the children around
the hearthstone, listened eagerly to
the genial conversation between ma
irons, maids and 'Wootlsmen. The
visit ealinlhated IN a supper of wild
game, hot biscuit, pumpkins pie and
preserved wild fruits. Such visits are
now Novelties and our social gather
ings are called parties, 10 which moth
ers shasten, leaving children and fret
ting babes at home, and maids and
men gather at the fashionable hour OF
IGPs M. for a mere dress parade. p
After an hour spent on exhibition, -
refreshments come, at a "present
arms" and an hour is devoted to
dainties which engender effemina-
cy, and then at a. NJ. the languid
| bilOn5 lGaClA liO4lN1 " bOoS OlA ANobASs'l
4 pillows ,lJuld rise next morning lstupe-
fed with Ole nights ekee#es,
The sexes cOnfided in each other
marriage was hOnorable-children
Obeyed and respected their parents
and whilst none denounced "clris-
tian marriage" as atyranny "to be dis
solved at viii" f" divorces were seldom
sOught;{ Our motlieTs and eRler sis
ters chanted their songs and hymns
amid the prattle of children-ths
thump of the looms, the elatter OF
shuttles, and the. hum Of spinning
Saieek. The COED oldslnys of cabin
riisih e. +goggihe,s, +" flax lpulIibgs and
apple-parings, huskings, with their
IsimpIe:hospitaIities have passed into
history. Everything Is now done by
J. .maehinery. .Js .l75fr A..
1t is essential to our worship
Stirring hymns of sincere praise,
Once.filled the pioneer church, or re
hsounded spl9iaieIy Sarsnha fLe old
Feamp-grotf!rSii' fhspifiug ne logic O
[ 49, D.,