Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-01-26
Undevel0ped People.
BY THOMAS CALLAHAN.

BY these are meant such as being not
properly aware Of what they are capa-
BILE of doing-cannot either properly
settle upon the best objective point in
life nor determine the best methods or
means of reaching that point.
Whilst treating this subject it will be
borne in mind that the objective, noin t
in this article will be the advancement
of Southeast Missouri and the improve
ment of its people; yet the subject will
be discussed without either political or
sectarian lines, and without pausing to
determine whether or not this region OF
the country contains a larger percent
age of undeveloped people than can be
found elsewhere in popula alton equal
in numbers.
In the first place we shall show that
we have among us people, more or
less numerous, who are capable of do
ing SO, and do not either properly set
tie upon the best objective point in
life nor know the best method or means
Of reaching that point
Then we shall point out some of the
causes which have produced this stag+
nation, and, in the last place, we will
show some way to escape from it.
In series of articles written some
time ago. notice was taken OF the I'M
developed resources of this region; and
as the resources exist III the country,
and the work Of their development in
the people, it follows that if the coun-
try is not developed the secret of the
fact must be found in the other fact
that the people have not grasped ali
the possibilities within their reach;
that is, even the best of them is unde-
Developed.
But it is only our purpose to speak OF
those whose balance-sheeti is very large
ly on tho minus side.
Ia support of the idea that we have
among US large class of sadly unde-
veloped peopln, attention is called to
the fact that, i'll country rich in all
the resources of soil and climate, hale
Young men aud women are barely
vegetaIing around towns, and giving
up tu tfIe pantusfs Sli!d wolves huaN
dre.is IF thousands of acres of cheap
lands, which, under proper cultivation,
will be as the love of God. The mere
presentation of those facts side by side
is amply sufficient to establish our po-
sition.
And when we add to this class those
who remove as far rs possible from
towns in order that they may hunt,
trap and fish, in total disregard of the
possibilities around them, our list is
largely increased and our position great
ly fortified.
The scope of our subject does not per-
nit the consideration of those whose
positive development Is running in the
wrong direction; or perhaps it would
proposed to treat at this time specific
ally of those phases of our genel al sub
ject.
In either the mental, moral, social,
1
or class, there is no possibility of con-
tinuing in one stage. And it is just as
true that in every human being there
is found the spirit OF a man that goeth
upwarrl-that east or bias of characte er
that leads to securing high, pure, and
noble ends by worthy means; and also
the spirit of the beasts that goeth down.
ward to the earth-that cast or bias of
character that makes the soul
ga slave to the clay's desires, and drags it down
To the clay's rot below -
And it is just as true that progress on
the downward grade is not develop
ment- The question, then, is not, Are
we in motion? but, Which way are we
we going?,