The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-09-15
NUMBER %.
For the Press.l
The Tread of Time.

Whether old Father Time regales us
with smile, or awes US with frown,
does not change the nature or condition
of his noiseless, ceaseless tread. Men |
may rejoice in the triumphs of labor, of
genius, and of intelligence, yet these are
obliterated in the course of Time, and
oblivion is engraven on their very scenes.
But the principle that Darwin has sug-
gested, that through the law of develop
ment, the present will be succeeded by a
more perfect order of intelligences, has
frequently been verified. As there is
generally compensation in the world
of inanimate nature, so is there in the
world of man. Disaster may appear to
be preceding disaster; revolution follow
ing revolution; change succeeding |
change: flame may burn, flood destroy,
and pestilence scatter, but above the |
seething. boiling eruption of yesterday,
to-day more perfect forms appear. The
wrecks that time makes in this age of
prosperity serve but as finger boards to
point US to brighter era.
But recently our town was visited by
confagration in which some Of the old
land marks were swept away. As we
look around we see relics of the past
antiquated dwellings, public works, and
models of inventive genius-sinking in
the tread of time, and in their stead are
being reared new and better structures
| by advancing civilization The inhab-
itants, too, fall before the march of the
remorseless invader. But few of the
former denizens of this cline are left to
smoke the calumet of peace around the
council-fre, or rove the wild forest in
search of adventure. They are gone.
Most of them have passed over Jordan.
One by one they have launched their ca
noes on that current which sweeps to the
happy hunting grounds of their tradi-
| tion, until most of the dusky tribes have
Joined the pale-sheeted nations of the
dead. Many of our race have followed
them. Our fathers, mothers, and breth-
ren have bid goodbye to the fairest of
earth and taken their places in the silent
cities. Soon the food of years will have
swept away the last of the pioneers, with
their ways af life, and literally ''their
works 90 follow them"
As one passes along the National
turnpike. he is continually reminded of
wondrous change. Formerly four
lines of stages rolled their vehicles over
this great national highway; the exports
and imports of the country found here
an avenue of communication; and over
its stony course the tide of emigration
poured to the unbroken prairies, and
primeval forests of the great west. Bu,
now the lack of travel, the an,iuuated
and dilapidated appearance of many OF
the towns and villages, together with the
sluggish channels of trades and indus.
tries only speak of the glory that has
departed. The railroads have dismant
led the old stands and opened up new
l centers of business. They have broker
mp the stage lines, monopolized trave
: and commerce. and as necessary conse
quence landed many towns and Villages
: high and dry upon barren heaths of in
c activity and decay. Other places hav,
9 fourished for awhile and then decayed
on account of not being natural centers
their trade being gradually transferred
= into other channels.
, Moreover decay is caused by emigra
, tion to our western countries. Prope
care will: not be taken TO adorn and EN-
beliish our homes, and improve ou
possessions until our doctors shall hay,
discovered All effective treatment fo
western fever" But on account of tn
apparent decay that may be observed
let us not lose faith in our civilization
Il Times sure tread will bear us on to Ger
. tain victory. 1t is true that we are sub b
e ject TO flood and flame, and to disease
destruction, death. 1T is true, also, tha
towns and villages that have been know
/ in the past shall be known no more for
= ever. But the advancing wave of civil
ts ization.is being succeeded by one of
It less ephemeral nature Our institution
are being composed of elements of
ia more solid and permanent character
\. Our cities and centers of trade sho,
- more of wealth and respecta bility. Ou
" industries are quIckened by the produc.
OF inventive genius, and our commerc
Is transacted in less time and with les
labor. We behold, too, institutions 70
- mental, social, and moral culture. risin
' on every hand Schools and college
crown our hill-tops and adorn our val
" leys sending forth streams of light an
re happiness and eSerting mighty iufir
IN ence on the march of civilization.
Our white walls of learning greet tn
lie sun as he rises on the shores of the A
r ic,.and our temples flame in his Sc
ting beams. There are energies too tbs
g. will contribute materially to our pro-
?" prosperity that are now dormant an
of powers that are of non-ef1ect. Whe
w the tide of emigration is retarded, an
I'd the cultivators of the soil become me
er and women of scientific intelligence,
new era..will be opened. Many section
h, of our country that are now held b
m land-grabbers, and in consequence al
lv sterile wastes, will be transferred I'M
q blowing gardens, waving fields
100 grain, orchards laden with golde
Oh fruit, pleasant farms, and happy home
,. Then will peace and good will reis
RI throughout our borders, and unle
some alien element should corrupt o,
civilization, our people will be borne
,e- certain happiness and prosperity. Ths
ne indeed will the hills and valleys vie
lis mp their golden treasures, the wilderne
NJ blossom as the rose, and the tread
Sc. time bear us on gloriously to our gre