New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-07
OHIO.
HER ROMANTIC AND STIRRING STORY.

HER ROMANTIC AND STIRRING STORY.
THE STORY OF OHIO. BY Alexander Black $40.
PIP. 326. Boston: d. Lothrop Company. IT.
Illustrations by L. J. Bridgcman.
To compress within some 800 pages even an In
telhgble sketch Of the history of Ohio is some
thing of q literary feat and to make such q
sketch interesting is still more difficult Mr..
Black, however, has succeeded in doing this, and
his book is all the more welcome and valuable
because of the comparative scarcity of general
histories of the Buckeye State. In the nature OF
the conditions this compact volume must be
looked to for general rather than detailed nforma-
tion but for popular use and even reference IL 1s
well adapted The early history Of Ohio is OF
the deepest interest, not only rs study in State
making, but as a mine Of the most picturesque.
romantic and stirring episodes. Though many OF
these are but outlined by Mr. Black, his brief
accounts of them are graphic enough to stimulate
and guide the readers ina gination. and to enable
him to follow the fortunes Of the bold pioneers
who, taking their lives in their hands, pushed the
boundaries Of the Republic westward and opened
a new and magnificent region to agriculture, COM
merce and freedom.
The vital Importance Of the Ordinance OF 1877
to the destnies of Ohio is properly emphasized by
Mr. Black To that ordinance probably more than
TO any other agency must be ascrbed the great
services which the State rendered the Union IN
The War of Secession. 1t was the ordinance which
determined the character of that popular spri'
which, first manifested through the practical pro-
tests against slavery, appearing in the shape OF
the Underground Railroad" found final frui-
ton in the splendid outburst Of loyalty and de-
yotion evoked by the firing on Fort sumter ana
the events following that initial overt act OF urea
son. Toward the close Of the volume the author
marshals the brilliant array OF Ohio men VINO
have distinguished themselves IN public life and
private enterprise. There has been plenty OF
good-humored chat ON the seeming lnsstence
with which Ohio men push themselves to the front
everywhere, but perhaps the causes Of this phe-
nomenon have not been sufficiently studied
An obvious explanation is, of course, the char
acter of the emigration by which the state was
settled The Ohio pioneers were undoubtedly
picked people from the outset Large numbers
of Revolutionary soldiers, men OF exceptional
vigor and energy, as proved by their Eastern
experience, found their way to the banks OF the
Ohio They were reinforced by sturdy sons
of New-England and stalwart hunters and noun
taineers In the new territory their training
AMI discipline were continued through the VI
cissitudes of long Indian warfare, and thus were
developed and fostered those virtues and capa-
cities which have always proved most nhuentiai
in giving character and force to communities
Then. too though the climate of the Ohio Val
lev was not free from extremes, 1t proved much
milder than that Of New-England, and put no
obstacles in the way of physical development
New England contributed abundantiy of her Pc
cujar endoxyments TO the making of the new State,
moreover. In regard to local government ONO
struck a mean between the township system and
the county plan of the South, but retained all
that was necessary to maintain the law OF au-
tonomy, the regard for equity and ORDER the
respect for law, and the affection for the Union
which characterized her Eastern pioneers.
There is another phase Of her growth IN which
perhaps w-England tendcncies-modifed by the
new environment-may be traced. We refer 10
the curious and most interesting efforescence oil
religious sentiment which, during the early
youth of the State, produced such remarkapie
phenomena. Revivalism in the West is sub
iect deserving of careful and exhaustive study
II was accom- panied in Ohio and the neighborlng
States by manifestations which may probably pe
a safely attributed TO the incidence OF super
abundant vitality upon deep foundauon OF
spiritual emotion. This union produced an
efaux Of energy which took form in physical con-
vulsions Of contagious character. In enc
phenomena of the Jerkers,' briefly alluded 10
NV Mr.. Black. may be recognized an outbreak
in the middle ages: but while the European re
Eo;ous epidemics persist through centuries the
Ohio outbreaks were ephemeral showing that
there the intellectual force dominated the emo
tional. Energy in all forms has indeed been
the leading Characteristic Of Ohio from the be-
ginning. and because of this, there Is no State
the history of whose development offers more
striking Illustrations Of swift transition and
progress.
1t is not to be concluded that the prosperity
of the Buckeye State is entirely due to one or
two causes, however. Other States have been
blessed with as good material for settlement, but
have been retarded by influences from which
Ohio was fortunately free Distance in some
the character of the land in Others have been
inoportant factors The geographical position
of Ohio is point Of ncalculable Importance IN
her development for one thing. But 1t certainly
is the fact that her people have availed them
selves fully Of all their natural and acquired ad-
vantages, and that they have at all times proved
themselves equal to whatever emergencies arose
II is also worthy Of remark that the progress
Of the State has been singularly even and har-
monious It's material growth has not been at
tanned at the expense of it's intellectual Like
q thoroughly healthy youth whose mind and
body develop with equal steps until thor
oughy balanced maturity is reached, Ohio has
produced steadily supply of mind not less note
worthy than her material accessions
The salient lines of this instructive and sug-
eestive history are carefully drawn by Mr..
Black, who has added considerably to the reference
value OF his book by chronological table, bib.
biographical list and full index. 1t remains
only 10 notice the illustrations of Mr. L. j. Bridge
man which are while not Of equal merit, in
several cases spirited and excellent.
LIFE IN SOUTH AFRICA.