The log cabin Democrat., 1907-07-18
DEVELOPING THE COUNTRY.
Progress of Agricultural Districts ana Cities and Towns Go Hand in Hand.

The building up process of a coun- try commences with the cultivation Of the soil generally. First the pio- neers. the settlers on the land, begin the building of homes, and closely in the wake of the agriculturists follow the towns.
 Town building is an interesting study. It is the highest develop ment sf communism. As far back as we can reach in the history of the world we find the spirit of community of interests. When Columbus reach ed America he found the Indians had their villages. Even among the most barbarous races the communal spirit is found. In our state of civilization cities and towns represent most per feet communal development.
 Where there are people engaged in any industry, it is necessary that there be tradesmen to supply neces- sary wants. These tradesmen gen. erally seek the most convenient loca- tion in the settlement and form the nucleus of the town and city. With the settling up of the contiguous ter ritory. new industries are brought into existence and gradually there is growth of the hamlet to the propor- tons of a village. The village soon becomes a small city, and it's impor tanee is gauged entirely by the trade that 1t can command to give employ ment to the people residing within it. Geographical location is always an important factor in town and city building. The average agricultural town has a limited territory for it's support. From this territory must come the trade to maintain it. The large cities are small towns grown up" While the small town may re- ceive it's support from the immediate territory surrounding it, the city is maintained by the trade given it by multitude of small towns, and by cer- tain conditions that perhaps may make 1t a place where manufacturing and jobbing may be carried on advan- tageously. While the geographical position is important to the small town, it is more important to the large city. as there are numerous con- ditions to be met, and such things as transportation facilities and freight rates are highly important.
 It may be said that the majority of American cities and towns are de- pendent to a great extent upon the agricultural sections of the country. The farms supply the major portion of the articles of commerce and man ufacture, and as well the trade that supports the towns and cities.
 The community should take pride in the progress of the town which it has been instrumental in building up. The town is all important to the resi- dents of rural districts as it affords educational and social advantages that would otherwise not exist. In many localities there is an erroneous impression that the interests of the residents of towns are different from the interests of the people of the con tiguous territory. A little thought will show how the interests of both classes. the residents of the country and the citizens of the town, are equal how the town depends upon the country for its support. and the country looks to the town as a mar ket place and as a convenience in gen eral. Thus we have plainly illus trated how much to the interest of all residents of rural districts that the home town be progressive place and that all it's interests be protected.