Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-05-21
which would answer an infinitely
better purpose.

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better purpose.
Had we pursued the course OF the
greater number of the nations OF
the earth, we should have been this
day treading in the footsteps OF
our forefathers, from whose exam
pie in any respect we should have
thought it criminal to depart in the
slightest degree.
Instead of a blind or superstltlous
imitation of the manners and GUS
toms of our fOrefathers, We have
thought and acted for ourselves,
and VIC have changed ourselves and
every thing around us.
The linsey and coarse linen OF the
first settlers of the country, have
been exchanged for the substantial
and fine fabric of Europe and Asia
the hunting shirt for the fashion
able coat of broad clOth-and the
moccason for boots and shoes OF
tanned leather The dresses of our
ladies are equal in beauty, 6neness
and fashion, to those of the cities
and countries of Europe and At.
lantic America.
1t is not enough that perseverlng
industry has enabled US to purchase
the "purple and fine linen" from
foreigners, and to use their porce-
lain and glassware, whether plain,
engraved or gilt; we have nobly
dared to fabucate those elegant,
comfortable, and valuable produc-
tions OF art for ourselves.
A we'll founded prospect of large
gains from useful arts and honest
labor has drawn to our country a
large number of the best artisans OF
other countries. Their mechanic
arts, immensely improved by Amer
lean genius, have hitherto realized
the hopeful prospect which induced
their emigration to our infant coun-
try.
The horse paths, along which our
forefathers made their labOrlous
JOURNEYS over the mountains for
salt and iron, were soon succeeded
by wagon roads, and those again
by substantial turnpikes, which, as
if by magic enchaniment, have
brought the distant region, not
many years ago denominated "the
bdcklcOOds," into close and lucra-
tive connection with our great At
lantic cities. The journey over the
mountains, formerly considered so
long, so expensive, and even peril
ous, is now made in very few days,
and with accommodations not dis
pleasing to the epicure himself
Those giants Of North America the
different mountains composing the
great chain of the Allegheny, form
erly so rightly in their aspect, and
presenting so many difficulties in
their passage, are now scarcely no
ticed by the traveller, in his jour.
ney along the graduated highways
by which they are crossed.
The rude sports of former times
have been discontinued. Athletic
trials OF muscular strength and ac
tivity, in which there certainly is
not much of merit, have given way
to the more noble ambition fol
mental endOwments and skill II
useful arts. To the rude and Otter
: indecent songs, but roughly and
unkskillfully sung, have succeeded
, the psalm, the hymn, and swelling
= anthem. To the clamorOus boast
Z the provoking banter, the biting
sarcasm, the horrid oath and i'm
! precation, have succeeded urbanit,
: of manners, and a course of conver
!. sation enlightened by science ant
chastened by mental attention ant
t respect.
J. Above all, the direful spirit o
Q revenge, the exercise of which 8
o much Appropriated the characte
e of many OF the first settlers OF on
!. country to that of the worst of say
ages, is now unknown. The India
o might pass in safety among thos'
}, whose remembrance still bleeds
y the recollection of the loss Of the
10 relatives, who have perished undt
d the tomahawk and scalping kniI
)f of the savages.
10 The Moravian brethren may dive
d IN safety on the sites Of the village
% desolated, and over the bones (
b, their brethren and forefathers mu
. dered, by the more than savage f
at rOcity of the whites. Nor let it
supposed that the return Of pea'
I. produced this salutary change
q, feeling towards the tawney sons
@, the forest. The thirst for reveDl
" was not wholly allayed by the bal
be of peace; several Indians fell vi
lie tins to the private vengeance
b. those who had recently lost the
IT. relations in the war, for some yea
o. after it had ceased.
in In the state of society and ma
n, ners, from the commencement
iy the settlements in this countr
ne during the lapse Of many year
N. owing to the sanguinary charact
Ill of the Indian mode of warfare al
90 other circumstances, was in sta
be OF retrogression, az WAS evident
at the csse-if ignorance is more eal
" induced than science-if socie
is more speedily deteriorates than il
ty proves-if 1t be much easier for Il
n. civilized man to become wild, thu
- for tha uild man In hpcoma civ