The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-12-01

y. htlASCu SAWS III tue
New York Independent (:
No traveller in the rural districts of
our country can fail to notice the
dreary desolation, the premature de-
cay, OF many OF our smaller towns. A
cherries vista OF ugly stores, tumble
down factories. lonely chimneys,
empty, staring shop windows mark
the stagnation aud tediousness of ex-
istence, the effects of over-centraliza
ton of industries and population in
the large cities.
The people too often appear listless
and drowsy. the groups of loungers in
front of postoffice AMI drinking place
look bored and dissatisfied Gossip,
small-beer politics, patent medicine
shows and dances make up the round
OF existence, enlivened only by narrow
lealousies of denominational and
political cliques. The younger people,
disguised with the pettiness and mo-
notony OF this life, yearn for the
whirl and excitement of the metro-
polls. They Ieaye their native towns
in swarms 90 swell the clamoring,
rushing multitude. The centralizing
tendencies are given full sway to sap
country life.
The result of this constantly in
creassng absorption of young blood by
the cities is not far to seek. The
strength of Nation no des in its rural
classes; their condition Is the criter
ion of its civilization. Llr5e cities
are much the same the world over :;
st. Petersburg differs but little from
Paris or Berlin. But who would
compare the peasants Of the
Rhine, the children OF Provence.
with the dwellers on the Volga?
England drew her greatness from
the soil, and Englishmen always
keep in touch with nature and rural
life. Our own country districts have
been the best repositories of true
American ideas; any retrogression
there may well FIJI us with alarm. Our
city populations are swayed by forces
they cannot command; not masters OF
selG-government, bound hand and foot
to monopolies, bribed politicians AMI
machines, they are long-suffering and
helpless In matters Of the common
wealth. It is to the rural districts
that we must look for social and polit-
icsl stability; thence must come the
strength to preserve our institutions.
The depopulation OF our country
towns to increase the already over
grown cities is therefore n great dan
ger to our National life.
The practical problem, then, is how
to countera:t the Gllurement5 of the
TueEronolie how 70 brooIor ,r1 III.
alize existence in the smaller towns,
how to supplement the advantages Of
nearness to nature by the al led inter
ests OF art and intellect. Some
towns in the Eastern States have al
ready efectually solved this problem
by the establishment Of libraries, lee
ture courses and literary circles, by Il
generous co operation for intellectual
advancement. Bat in general little
has been done. Very often sectaria
lealousies bar the way, spirit thes
must first be overcome to make true
reform possible. 1t is here that min
listers and teachers have duty and n
great promise. By the establishment
of general literary society, open to
all of literary tastes, in which the so
cial element is not neglected, the way
will be led to courses OF lectures, in
teliecJual contests and exhibitions OF
nome talent, to the founding Of l..
brary. In every way interest Ia mat.
tiers intellectual may thus be stimulat.
ed. s,The lectures provided by many Of
our universities, la university ezten.
sion, can also De turned into potent
agency for bringing the country town
III touch with the worlds best thought.
The material is at hand, the unjaded
intellect of country people, not sur
felted with excitement, not blunted
with sensationalism, is appreciative OF
the truly great in art and life leader
ship and organization are all that is
needed for development Of real cul-
ture and intelligent study in the rural
towns, so that residence there may no
longer be considered mental starva-
ton. Some fostering Of local patriot
Ism, some endeavOr TO make the home
town not merely place Of habitation
but union for higher life, some en-
thusiesm, some little self-sacrifice on
the part OF persons able TO lead. IN
our country towns will indeed partic =
pate in all that is good sud noble ia
civilization while free from the dis.
figuring tGints oil larger cities.