The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-04-24

reports of consuls. the price of food in Great
Britain is twenty-five per cent. higher III IN
in New York. and fifty per cent. higher than
in Chicago. All is bright in the future tor
the workers of the Republic. while those in
Europe have no better days" 20 contem-
plate: they must either toll and mourn to
the bitter end or emigrate. AS the old bal
lad runs:
And the smith complains to the anvil's song
Complains OF the years he has toiled and piued
For the priest and the ruler are swift 20 wrong,
And the mills OF God are slow 20 grind.
But clear keen voice comes over the sen
1t is piercing the gloom OF the waning night;
Time was, time Is, and time shall be,
When John o. the smithy shall come to his
right!
Manufactures were in their infancy even
in Europe at the period of Waterloo ISIS E.
To-day the United States stands first OF all
countries Of the world: the annual product
Of its factories reaches at least five billions
Of dollars, and fully four million OF opera
tives are employed in its various indus
tries. The product per operative, owing 10
the greater skill and intelligence Of Ameri-
can artisans, is in the United states 81 .560
in Britain. Sl.120: France. 81 100; Germany
S5l5; Russia. $500
The Americans are the best-fed people OF
the present age, and therefore they are able
10 accomplish the greatest amount Of best
work. According TO Nauban. Bossuet. and
Lagrange Uhree names ilustrious in war
country may be considered the most
osperous in which tho inhabitants are
able TO have the LARGEST ratio of meat for
their food" The United States consumes
40 pounds OF meat per inhabitant; the
United Kingdom. 10 pounds; France. 66
pounds; switzerland. 81 pounds; Germany.
As pounds; Scandinavia, 40 pounds: Russia.
Al pounds. and so on downward 20 Portu-
gal. with 20 pounds per head per year.
Even up TO 1859 the United States used at
n
whereas now il produces one-third Of the
worlds crop. Facilities for transportation
have so improved that wheat grown on the
Mississippi is now sold as cheap in Europe
as that raised on the Don or the Danube.
while fifty years ago the mouiiks OF the Don
had such abundant crops that wheat was too
cheap 10 pay the cost OF freight even to the
nearest port.
In 1850 and 1881. the mess bill OF Con-
tinental officer shows that he paid for sugar
Sl4. SIC and SIS a pound; twist silk, so per
yard; three brushes and black ball. S9j;
a black silk handkerchief SIS; eggs. Sl2 per
dozen. When our rostOilice was established.
in May, 1874, n single letter cost six cents for
thirty miles; over 40 miles twenty-five cents.
OF our present annual production. about
S40.0OO.000 Of silver and S22.0OO.OJO of gold
are available for coinage. the remainder
being used in the arts. From the date Of
enactment of our first coinage law. in 1892.
TO the beginning Of the present year. the
production OF the United States was egh-
teen hundred and five millions OF gold and
eight hundred and fifty millions of silver.
and nine enths Of this total was produced
in the forty years ending December 81. 1888
Our couNry has SIS in specie per capita
for each one OF its Inhabitants.
While money ciyilizes and is most
essential factor in the maintenance and add
vance OF civilization. honesty and learning
have never by us, as a nation. been subo q
mated TO the love of or acquisition Of wealth.
The pioneers whose camp-nres. from
Massachusetts Harbor westward. have
marked the advance line in the conquests
OF industry. have been for the most part
men imDued with the spirit Of true religion:
men who, opposed 70 the supremacy OF the
church. still recognized IL as "a necessary
factor in the upbuiding OF successful
commonwealth, and provided generously
Tor It's growth and conservation. Tnus il
was that upon tho borders of unconquered
wSds. amid the rudest surroundings. oft N
Nior TO civil organization. a place for pub
Tic worship was established. the minister
most frequently being also teacher 10 those
who could pursue their studies beyond the
imentary knowledge impaired 10y the
grand women Of that day. who found time.
in the midst OF many pressing cares. 10
teach their children how 10 re.d and write.
how TO think. AMI how 20 live.
Our national idea includes the school as
matter OF course; the first rude building
in any new community generally served n
both olurch aud academy. The spirit
which Inspired suGh provision for the