The state herald., 1907-07-26
VIRTUE IN HARMONY
HOW COOPERATION OF THE PEo.
PILE OF A COMMUNITY WINS.
STICKING TOGETHER COUNTS
Illustration Of Some Of the Good
Things In ciannishnsss az Found
In Some Agricultural Dis
trlcts.

Often is heard protest against what
is called clannishness among foreign
ers who become citizens Of the United
States. 1t is claimed that they carry
old.country ideas with them to the
new land, and refuse to mingle with
other than their own nationality. In
defense OF these foreigners who are
thus charged, 1t Is but fair to say that
many OF them labor under the misap-
prehension that they are not looked
upon by the older American citizens
as companiOnable. Often their lack
OF knowledge of the English Ian
guage makes their own class desir-
able associates. 1t will be observed
that in one or two generations condi-
ton changes and the children of these
foreigners become thoroughly Amer
icanized.
1t would be well II some Of the
traits of clannishness that are manifest
In foreign colonies be generally prac-
ticed throughout the United States. In
184S an effort was made to colonize
land In Missouri with a progressive
class OF German citizens. The events
Immediately following this effort. the
loss of one shipload of immigrants
and the subsequent sufferings OF the
newcomers, Is matter of history.
But undaunted hundreds of those who
at that time sought homes in the new
country. gained for themselves envi-
nll lA all To-, sI..a Valu s,f Att,nr tnny ~.
history, and they founded commu-
mites that may well be held up as
models worthy to be copied. In Gas
conade county, Missouri. a large colony
OF these people sought homes. There
they titled the soil and cultivated vine
yards. They were OF one tongue and
OF one religious belief. a highly moral.
hard-working people. and their aim
was to found homes for themselves
and their progeny. To-day in Gas
conade county there is more evidence
OF wealth. of culture and harmony
among the people than can be found
in any like area OF the United States.
From the founding Of the colony II
was recognized that II progress be
es4,le .haI 10 saA,ta 9ratuce6 ~
members s,iouid be retained. Mills
were gradually built for the conver-
sion OF the grain into -four. wine
presses were found on almost every
homestead. and towns were built.
Among the first institutions establish
ed were schools and churches, and
these to-day are prominent factors In
the molding OF the character OF the
people.
II was one OF the rules OF the col.
ony to assist one another. Each one
while working for himself and his
family. realized that II was to his ad-
S,ntage TO patronize his neighbor.
Thus when the towns were started
and stores opened. It was made a
rule that these stores be patronized
and that the store.keeper be allowed
n fair profit for the goods he sold
Tailor shops. boot and shoe makers,
soap makers. and even the brewers
OF beer found their customers solely
among the members OF the colony.
Although St Louis was within few
hours ride. the members OF the colony
considered that the dollars kept In
the little town instead OF being spei
In ST. Louis meant much for the ad
yancement OF the place. As years
passed by members OF the colony be.
cane prosperous. Families were
reared and children married. addition.
nj homes,cads were secured and there
was n thorough cooperation among
all towards making life agreeable and
giving each member OF the commu'
nifty means OF acquiring n compe
topoy. One Of the early und.r,nk.
ings was the building OF macadamifed
roads, These roads to-day are kept
IN the best Of condition and have
proved matter OF economy 10 the
county, Schools and churches. which
Mt frAt were roughly built, have been
replaced with magnificent edlhccs
wlseh are sources OF pride TO the rcsl.
dents of tho community. Some Of
tho small business places OF 10 or 80
years ago have grown to he OF almost
national Importance. In fact all res
idcnta Of the community sre indc.
pendent. and few Of them posses,
Hors OF great wealth. How success.
ful they have been II sho~n by the
absence Of paupcra In the county.
There are no public charges. neither
In there any grea, expense as to main
tanning n county Jail.
This community II but ono Of many
In the Mississippi valley and through
out the west, Such communities have
boen built up solely by the simple nd
herenee to cooperation among mem
berA aud n following ou, Of tho homo
trade principle. Members realized
that every dollar earned In the com
mnni,y and sen, to some other place
robbed the community Of 80 much
wealth. and that this dollar ceased 10
b. n factor In Increasing tho impof,
tsnoe and progress Of the place. In
these communities afo generally 10
Gated Touring mills. The output Of
these mills finds local sale and tho nur