The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1892-10-08
TIMELY TOPICS
ThoughtfuIly Discussed for Careful
Readers

ThoughtfuIly Discussed for Careful
Readers.
We sometimes say a man is styp
ical Virginian," and We Usually Sc
lect some one of courtly manner-o
a gallantry that seems exaggerated
in these quickly-moving modern
times.
often wonder if we have any right
to call any man typical of the people
of State, when Americans as a
class, scarcely stay at home closely
enough to develop very distinctive
peculiarities.
If there be such thing as typical
Virginian, there is just as much jus
tice in seeking him among the older
residents of our own mountains, al
though probably not so much com
fort, as among the uave-mannered
men of more cultured regions. In.
deed, we may go out into the noun
tains and find there types-not of
Virginians so much, as of mountain
GERS, wherever they may be found.
These, if any people, have been so
situated as 10 develop whatever may
be typical in their manner of living.
They have neither been interrupted
by frequent excursions into the world,
nor by incursions from the world.
They hold the same land their
grand-fathers owned. and they are
among the first families of Virgin
la with literalness that is not to
be questioned.
There is no sort of justice in Sc
Letting the most cultured man in a
State as type of its people, yet it
is what we invariably do. Perhaps
he may be type of what the people
ought to be. We hold up our hands
in holy horror when our Mountain
State is judged by some of its most
unlettered citizens.
When away from home we are in
variably descendants of the dashing
cavaliers. We forget the mineral
wealth, the great forests, the sturdy
manhood in our mountains, and
would stretch the thread bare cloak
of our old. time greatness over our
yet undeveloped treasures.
We have no need to blush for our
State. West Virginia has a richer
future than her old Virginia past.
Nor has she any need to turn to the
mother-state for type of her people.
With as much justice can she find it
among the most uncouth of her noun.
taineers.
"a
We often hear it said of man
that he talks like a book" 1t had
always seemed to me, until recently
that that meant he talked unusually
well, but have met one of the kind
and he is disappointment He re-
minds me of my copy books and Of
the examples in my old grammar SO
forcibly. l am continually lost in
following out the similarity, and lose
che thread of the narrative, so that
when he turns to me with his stately
inclination of the head and his pre-
else, do you not agree with me? on
have the unhappiness of having
submitted statement to which yon
are opposedi' / am usually UMPIRE.
pared, and assure him quickly that
think just as he does, lest become
more deeply buried in phrases.
realize that only my utmost effort
will rescue me as it is.
1t may be very good thing to talk
like book, under some circumstan.
ces, but for ordinary life one wants
man to talk at least like very
modern book, and to be also extreme.
ly particular as to the kind OF mod.
ern book be takes for model
don't think it is well to go back to
80, rare Ben JohnsonI' for model.
~
There Is a good deal of discussion
as TO the effect the cholera will have
ON the Worlds Fair, and it is rather
discouraging work for the managers,
realizing, as they do, that there will
be no Fair if the cholera still remains
with us.
| AS things are, those who attend
the dedicatory exercises next month
will necessarily be from the United
States, and we miss the opportunity
of giving to European visitors a
glimpse of what they may expect
Altogether, surrounding cireumstan.
ces must be having right depres
sing effect OF the managers, who are
nevertheless rushing on with the
great work that is yet before them
In constructing such enormous build.
ings, there is, of course, usually some
loss of life, but ! confess l was I'M
prepared for such loss as a recent
statement gives.
E. f. Cragin, an ex-director, is au-
thority for the statement that, one
hundred and eighty nine men have
been killed on the Worlds Fair
grounds since work began there.
He further says that many of these
workmen fell from the scaffolding
while under the influence of liquor
And more, that while no intoxica-
ting liquor is allowed to be retailed
on the grounds, still beer wagons,
and other liquor wagons, are allowed
free access, with the appalling result
have given.
A petition is now being circulated
in Chicago, asking Congress to re-
consider its action relative to the
closing of the Fair on Sunday.
Mr.. Foster tells US that October
LIST marks the beginning of our set
tied cool weather. At this writing
we cannot tell whether Mr.. Foster be
| right or wrong.
But soon, at least, we may look foi
the glowing sumac leaves along the
river borders, and for the scarlet and
yellow of the naples to be outlined
against the dark background of
pines. The grass on the hill sides
will show tawny patches among the
green. Purple clusters will hang
from the canopies the wild grape
vines have woven, and with the show.