Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-07-09

no better room Tor little space than to
appropriate it to its reproduction. The
Doctor is remarking upon the indica-
tons in various quarters ola disposition
to seek relief from embarrassment by
retiring TO the country. He says:
Many have learned by bitter ex-
perience that the kind Of property and
tue employment which afford to frugal
industry at all times a home, with all
the neeessarles and manyof the luxurles
Of life, is the best. Happy is that State
where abundant and cheap lands and a
genial climate afford to these weary
wanderers from post to pillar a safe
retreat and happier and purer homes
than they hayc ever known before.
Abundant and cheap lands is the safety
valve of society, but woe to the State
whose cities are full to eyeraowing and
whose lands are overcrowed with pop
ulatlOn, or lie waste in the hands OF
titled aristocracy when the evil day OF
depression and stagnatiOn of business
comes. This withdrawal of intelligent
businessmen with small capitals from
a stagnant commerce and the bizarre
aud brazen yulgarity of modern past
| life in town, and their rctiracy TO the
pure and peaceful homes of country
life with their families, is joyful omen
for America. True, the devilish element
of the commune will remain in the
cities, but the gradual withdrawal OF the
better element from the competition OF
town. life will open the way TO those
least disposed to evil to return TO decent
modes of lie; and while it dmiAlshes
| the rampant horde Of murderers and
thieves, it isolates the remainder from
the respectfully employed, defines the
outlines Of the obscene mob, and en-
ables the authorities to take definite and
intelligent measures to subdue them.
| We have never been able to comprehend
the insane desire, exhibited by some
publicists, to see every own and every
rural district crowded to Oyerfiowlng
with population, with prices OF com'
modities at the highest possible point.
The cutlery is for immigrants, immi-
! grants, people, people of any sort
paupers, thieves, criminals. outcasts,
tramps, anybody to settle and develop
the country. Heaven defend us from
the realization of such wild Yagaries.
Why should we anticipate the evil day
when there is no refuge for over!asked,
oyercrowed, ill.ted millions no alter
luative but starvation or plumber. In
this country many generations Will
sleep with Their fathers before the avail
abe landi occupied, which will give time
Tor the growth of social science and for
the more complete adaptation OF the
people to the social state, accompanied,
we may hope, by discoveries of new
modes Of dealing with the great crises
which contribute one of the N ,st
marked features Of modern society.
As vet fertile lands, to be had for the
Occupying of them, constitute a safety
valve that may save far more than one
American statesman his reputation ana
his neck. Agriculture holds out an in
viting field in comparison with crowded
trades and professions. In the skillful
adaptation of modern machinery, im>
proved modes of culture, improved
breeds Of live stock to soil crops and
facilities for market, scope is afforded
for the energies OF the brightest intellect
whereas satisfactory pecuniary results
will not fail as the reward of industry,
lfrugality. and enterprise. Fast liv-
ling" anywhere is a crime which brings
its own punishment.
Fast living" is indeed a crime. 1t
is in the great majority Of cases a cause
lof embarrassment to the fast lyers"
themselves but even when that is not
the case, it is the cause of trouble in a
community, because it leads to attempts
| to initiate bad example and to con-
sequent discomfort and embarrassment
amongst others.
Especially at this period Of scarcity
land pressure it is more than ever nec-
essary that the most persistent and
fvigilant economy should be practiced
The great social revolution which SUBJ
Istitutsd free labor for that of slaves
demands close economy in order to
strengthen the community to IDEAL with
with the great crises" and be all the
better capable of not only discovering
but of applying the new modes of deal"
ing with the social state in which we
are placed.
A great problem is in course of
solution. 1t is the most embarrassing
one that has ever been encountered by
a civilized people, and it seems to US
that no other people on earth could
have borne il so faithfully and success
fully as the Virginians have. Bnt we
are ever reminded that it is only by
untiring industry and persistent econ
omy that we can finally triumph in per-
fecting that solution which we have
thus far conducted even to our own
establishment.
But it is happy faith that DR..
Elizey displays in the noble calling Of
agriculture, whiehis after all The best
for its followers, afi'ording them home
and even luxury, and relieving them
from q multitude of evils. These they
exchange for "a safe retreat and happier
and purer homes than they have ever
known before"
The present is the critical period
when the energies and intelligence of
the people are wanted for the restoring
of the country to order and fairly
compensated industry. 1t is the period
when there is upon us the pinching
point Of that process by which proper
modes Of adaptation to the new social