The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-07-06

lEellSlOue lucoc AuSti-
tutions were unknown to the early
settlers, but are now greatly encour-
aged by the present population as the
means of both moral and religious
training They are well attended by
the children, and in the natural or
der of things must have a benefcent
influence on the rising generation,
for
"'Tis education forms the common
mind,
As the twig is bent the tree is in
clined."
From our feeble beginning in an
unbroken wilderness, less than eighty
years ago, we have made giantsstrides
in general advancement. The pop
ulation of Preble county now num-
bers nearly $4,000. The little patch
es of corn and wheat have expanded
into well-tilled farms until we annu-
ally produce nearly half a million
bushels of the former and a million
and three quarters bushels of the
latter. The county now each year
produces more than a quarter of a
million bushels of oats, $4,000 bush
els o fIrish potatoes, 5000 bushels of
sweet potatoes, 10000 tons of hay,
10000 bushels Of flax seed and $780,
600 pounds of fibre, a million and a
half pounds of tobacco, a half a mil
lion pounds of butter, 100, 900 pounds
of wool, 5000 bushels of apples, be-
sides a large amount of products not
herein enumerated. The county has
5000 head of horses, 10000 head of
cattle, 5000 head of sheep, 10000
hogs. 1t contains 10000 acres of
cultivated land, $4,000 acres of pas
tute, nearly 10 5000 acres of woodland
and about 10000 acres lying waste,
Such is a birds-eye view ofour de-
yelopment within the last three
fourths of a century. The prosper.
ity of Preble county, up to a period
commencing a few years ago, has
been remarkable. The foregoing sta
tistical reference show, that under
genial laws and healthy Legislation,
all the comforts and many of the lux
uries and elegancies of prosperous
civilization were beginning to adorn
the homes of our people. Unfortu-
lnately a change has taken place. The
greed of capital, stimulated by the
opportunities which a great civil
connection offered, has shaped legis-
lation in its own interest, until our
national securities have a value far
in excess ofthe laboring mans dol
lar, and the relative distance be-
tween labor and its products, and
this class of capital has been made
SO great by legislation friendly to it,
and unfriendly to the laboring class,
and the values of every other kind
of property have so shrunk that if
this state of affairs continue, Preble
county upon an honest appraisement
Of her real estate and personal prop
erty will find herself comparatively
poor. Unless legislation shall deal
Justly with the great foundations of
all real prosperity, honest labor and
its products, it is feared Preble coun-
ty has see her most prosperous and
happy days. The natural elements
of wealth are around US, but a
fertile soil, a genial climate and even
an honest, industrious, economical
population, all combined, must fail
of success in the requirement of ma
terial wealth, if Legislation, cold and
%unfriendly, nips every hope and
withers every promise. Capital and
labor should be allies and friends.
It is the true mission Of statesman
ship to preserve the hallowed union
between them. Above the highest
level of mere partisanship rises this
grand duty. 1t is amatter in which
we are alike interested. To preserve
it, and thus insure renewed prosper
ity should be the aim of all, irrespec-
tive of party or creed. In this be-
half our fathers did their duty well.
May we not hope, uponth this C%enten-
nial anniversary, the old spirit will
be revived. and not only this county,
but our whole country enjoy its old
time prosperity.