The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-01-03
Uncle Billy Brown, the Sage Of
Preston County, Writes n Let
ter for Farmers and Other Pee

ter kOF anu Utncr req
pie.
EdItOn Preston journal.
IhAye been waiting for ys,rs for some
person, more interested and more capable
than myself, 10 call the attention Of our
people TO q 'subjent in which we are all
deeply interested.
We all understand the financial en-
barrassments Of the country, Of which the
people Of Preston have their full share.
It is not my intention 10 cay 3 word in
regard 70 the causes OF the hardships
under which We are laboripg, but, II pos.
sible, TO suggest q remedy by which our
Indebtedness may be liquidated in the
shortest and easiest way.
Preston county has an area Of nearly
eight hundred square miles, we'll watered,
with a mild and healthy climate, pro.
ductive in all kinda OF vegetation, aud
particularly so in oats and hay. The
farmers used to make large profits In
raising cattle for the eastern market, but
since the Texas and Colorado beef has
come in competition with ours, the pro-
fits are greatly lessened. But 1t seems 10
me that the loss occasioned by such com
petition can DO more than supplied BY
raising sheep. The farmers Of the nj
ty can, and ought to have, in the aggre.
gate, not less than one hundred and fifty
thousand sheep grazing on their lands
during the summer, and they ought TO
market one.third OF that number every
season. With such q stock of Improved
sheep on hand, the mutton and clips
would soon put the people OF Preston in
easy and prosperous circumstances.
But before this desirable state Of things
can be realized, w must get rid Of our
stock Of dogs. Sportsmen eeem TO think
that they have a right to range and hunt
over their neighbours lands with their
sheep-killing dogs; and whilst this state
Of things exist, il is worse than useless to
embark in this otherwise profitable pur-
snit OF raising sheep.
Could not the farmers call meetings in
their respective school districts and get
up earnest petitions to our Legislature
to come 10 our relief in this matter2 1t
issaid that politicians touch the dog evil
very cautiously, for, in many localities,
there are more owners OF dogs than sheep.
Be this as II may, ! think an earnest
effort at this time would be respected by
our Legislature and some provisions
would be made for the better security Of
both sheep and persons against vicious
and worthless dogs.
By adopting the above suggestion, you
might awaken a corresponding action in
some Of your sister counties, whose stu.
alton and wants are similar to your own.
Many persons are listening TO the siren
voice OF the dcmagogue, that Congress
can and will bring Us relief. Not so; Con.
gress can only help us by legislating fair
ly and justly for all men-high, low, rich,
and poor, without distinction Of classes,
sections, or parties-keeping good faith
with other nations and with our own peo-
pie. This done, come what will, the Ma
tional honor will remain untarnished.
Nations, states, and municipalities arc
like individuals, II they lose their good
name, they are poor indeed. A State or
Government OF any kind that %repudiates
a Just debt because it,, is strong enough
10 enforce its selfish DEGREES, q lever
hope to command the respect OF honest
men, no more than can the highway rob-
Der.
The generous creditor can, will, and
ought 10 aid his unfortunate debtor, and
In this there will be no honor lost. My
theory 10 get rid OF OUT embarrassment
Is for the people 10 90 to work-work
with their heads and hands, work In the
riVht direction.-and they will soon take
the whole country outot It's Indebtedness,
and secure to themselves peace and
plenty. -.
take a new and vigorous start, not only
10 the development OF her National re.
sources, bu. in the accomplishment oil the
great purposes for which she was de-
signed by the great and good men who
brought her into existence.
N-#N 49,