The Russellville Democrat., 1877-11-08
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Arkansas to the Front.
c Editor of the DEMOCRAT: 1:


 To the Editor of the DEMOCRAT:
 In whatever condition man may be in, he always craves for society. No punishment can be compared to solitary confinement Hence to be isolated from society is the dread of humanity. A knowledge of human nature will at once explain the reas on why people are so reluctant to leave thickly settled countries, and closely packed cities, even though the needs and necessities of life be imperfectly supplied. It is there fore question of no small import ance, that each one must answer for himself, i. c. whether it is better to suffer the hardships that naturally attend an over crowded community, or the hardships of sparcely set tied one? And how much more diff ficult and perplexing the question becomes, when the education and training of a rising family has to be considered. We train up our chil- drep for the future as well as the present. We want our children to know what life is, and know it just as it is, and how can they know it except by daily lessons. It is not therefore merely question of bread and butter with the masses, although this is even indispensable to this life, yet it is mere animalism, and must not be the altogether aim of life and work, as this life is but the antece- dent to the high and more enduring one to come.
 Permit me, Mir. Editor, to write in plain English so that l may be easily understood. And from what 1 have already seen of this State, am safe in saying, that, if the people of Ark ansas desire moro neighbors-snch as would be conducive to a vigorous, progressive and healthy society, they must offer other inducements than cheap lands, for anybody knows that cheap land means a thinly scattered population, aud that means neigh bors few and far between, and that means facilities for education, either entirely cut of, or at such distance that it is just about as good as none.
 Schools and churches are indis- pensible. This, of course you will admit, but I mean more than this. It is necessary that chnrchhouses, or, if you like the term better, will say church ediiices, should be houses of taste, as well as accommodation. Are we to build such houses now as they did five hundred years ago? Are we in this respect to push our children on g side track in the State of Arkansas and leave them out of sight of the car of progress, while others go marching on upward, on ward, upward? 1 find there Is plen- ty room for improvement among the natives of this State, in this dlrec tion. Don't wait then for others to come here and do this for you, while the cry is everywhere heard, "More neighbors. More neighbors" Let taste for culture and refinement be 50 evident that it will say in capti- vatihg voice to the home seeker, This IS the place you are looking for"
 So far as good society, that is well behaved, moral people, and hospital ity is concerned, it IS true Arkansas leads the world. The bowie knife is converted into q carving one, and the famous six-shooter into bowling piece. There may be better places in the State than this, but Pope county is my choice, and Russellville the best located town, and the best people to live among on the l.. R. & Ft. :. By, and the day is near at hand when her well laid out streets will be lined with such houses i've hope) that will be sufficient evidence that the town of Rnssellvilie keeps to the front" While there is va cant lot in town, advertise it, some body wants one; while there is va- cant acre around town, advertise it, let the home seeker know where to find the seller of it; while there is a vacant tract of land in the county, advertise it.
 Tho tidal wave of immigration is setting in toward Arkansas, and let Pope county be filed up with hardy, sons of toll, who may seek a home where he can live in peace and quiet ness, and enjoy the fruit of his labor, and bid an eternal adieu to scanty meals and hard times.
 As we will have something to say again, and perhaps again, permit me to say just now, Arkansas to the front, and Russellville to the front rank. Respectfully Your Servant,
 G. A. MOFFAT.
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