The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1905-09-20
The Lexington Dispatch.
Wednesday, September 20, 1905.
Progress.

6S0SreSSs
Every true citizen must of neces-
sity be interested in whatever aids
the progress OF the age in which he
lives. That which develops only one
iioe of interests is not true progress
Every line OF worthy interests must
be jointly and equally promoted be-
fore there is progress that is sub.
stsntial. Material progress by itself
is ruinous to any people or age. Lot
pitched his tent towards Sodom be-
cause be saw material progress that
way. he failed to take into consid-
GRAFTON anything, but material things
and today he is our object lesson, as
be has been and will continue to be
to men of right purposes in life for
all time. Let US settle it 10 our
minds here and now, that we will
insist that all who stsndfor progress
must be promoters of moral, educa-
nal. social and religious, as we'll as the
material interests of their age.
Tne natural advantages and re.
soulces Of Lexington county are all
favorable to material progress. The
times demand material progress.
Any one familiar with her resources
will admit that they compare more
than favorable with her adjoining
counties. In material progress,
roads and bridges, are matters of
great Importance. These show what
kind of ideas a people are led by to q
certain extent. Some one has said
that roads and cemeteries are sure
index to the character Of people.
Now w al, know that to have good
roads and convenient bridges cost
somebody something. We know still
further that there ought to be good
roads, aud bridges for the people of
county to reach the Court House
where their business matters are to
be attended to. Good roads enhance
the value of lands in any county
where they are built. [ am not say
ing that proper Efforts are not being
made to improve the highways and
bridges of Lexington equity. But
every one at all familier with the
county knows that there is not a
single bridge across Saluda river in
Lexington county. Is this as IL
ought to be? Is that progress!
Nothing will justify bad roads and
lack of bridges to any county site ex-
cept something exists, or is main
tanned at that county site which
operates against the best interest OF
the people. There is nothing as l
see 1t at Lexington G. Il to prevent
a bridge across Saluda river in the
county except the selling of liquor
there. The fact that men are de-
praved, and that q few thousand dol
lars revenue will be derived from
such business is relied upon as suf-
6cient reason to maintain it.
To glory in depravity, or to further
it's degradation is no part of the work
of the progressive citizen. To hold
up business that breeds corruption
and ruin, and keeps down the gen.
ersi increase OF security of person
and growth of valuation OF lands,
will do for those who may want to
dodge taxes or cannot see beyond
the limits of selfish purpose in life,
but the man of progress turns away
from the task of pushing to the FORE
front the measures which hinder in
stead Of helping the cause OF pro-
gress. Whatever stands in the way
of q bridge or bridges across Saluda
river in Lexington county, and better
roads to the Court House should be
removed. Let the liquor business be
closed, and the watcnword will be
progress in material, moral, educa'
t,onal, social and religious things.
I am not sure but that Mr.. Glad
stone was right when he eaid of the
LIQUOR traffic that it was "worse than
Wal, ,pestilence and famine combined"
We try to avoid wa,; We quarantine
against pestilenc; We dread famire.
Shall We cleave to that which is
worse than these combined? No.
The progressive men of Lexington
county are going to remove their
hinderances as far as possible and
strive together for nobler and
grander work on all lines of progress
even though their task be equal to
that of Hercules.