The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-02-13

HSiG SAioISu IcSIuSuI pldCeS COTT0-
spending to our present home towns"
With the advancement of civilization,
Methods of living became revolution
,Zed. One resident of a community
served by dependence upon other
members and by close cooperation with
hem. In modern life, there are many
'omplex conditions which make neces-
'ary the recognition of obligations of
)ne person to another. The small city
rr town of to-day affords an illustra-
ion of the highest type of communal
relationship. Here is found ideals as
o cooperation and full recognition
IF the necessity of harmonious labor,
not for self alone, but for others of the
community. 1t is by this co-opera-
ion that the highest type of society
is built up. 1t is by this harmonious
action that churches are builded,
schools maintained, public libraries
for the enlightenment of the people
supported, roads kept in condition and
all conveniences for mutual inter-
change in the social and commercial
life recognized as necessary.
A town cannot in itself exist. It
must draw the subsistence for its peo-
pie from the surrounding country.
The basis of the city or town is agri-
culture. The growing of food stuffs
must be in order that people shall live.
An agricultural town of thousand
population cannot exist by itself alone,
but must draw it's support from the
contiguous territory. Those residing
upon the farms find the town an es-
sential to their welfare and enjoyment.
Thus community must be consid-
cred an entire and indivisible social or
ganization, in which each member
participates in whatever prosperity
and general advancement exists with
in It, Thus we find that all compris-
ing the community have equal inter-
est in increasing its prosperity, its
wealth and all it's moral, social, edu-
cational and commercial advantages.
This participation is not exclusive to
those residing within the limits of the
town, but must be enjoyed by the resi-
dents and the workers on the ada
cent farms, and all who labor within
the radius of which the town is the
center. Perforce of this, the town be-
comes the apex of the social activity,
as we'll as that of business nature.
And the social and the commercial are
so enter twined that one is necessary
for the other.
A spirit of mutual cooperation
should 9ermeate all of a community.
Each and every one comprising the
communal organization of district
has equal interest with the others.
There can be no affair important to
the townspeople but which is also i'm
portant to the farmers and others Of
the community; and there can be no
affair of interest to the dwellers in the
rural district but is of equal import to
the residents of the towns.
How desolate, how monotonous and
uO" A0OldICu 10 llLC Ou IllO lol III
without home town. In human kind
social instincts are predominating
Unless social desires are gratified
there is despondency. The records of
our insane asylums prove that from
the isolated farms, where sociaf in
tercourse through certain conditions is
most restricted, comes the majority of
inmates of these institutions. With
out social intercourse intelligence is
benumbed and ignorance prevails.
Then how important it is to the resi-
dents of rural districts that the pros
perity of the home towns be encour-
aged. There is the social feature, the
educational, the moral and religious,
and as important as any and most es-
sential for the highest perfection, is
the business relations. The more
prosperous the home town the more
prosperous are the farmers residing
within its trade radius, because the
livelier the town the better the home
markets.
There are complications in the bust.
ness world to-day and the building up
of systems of business that interfere
with the highest development of the
small cities and towns. Railroads,
telegraph. telephone, rural delivery
all has tended towards enhancing life
in the country. But these means have
also encouraged business methods that
work against the higher development
of community interests. In order that
the home town exists, there must be
| employment for those who reside
within it. This employment is solely
dependent upon the towns CONNER
cial and manufacturing interests
Thus we find that the home town is
reliant upon the trade. not alone oi
those who reside within 1t, but ol
those in the surrounding country. ANY
system that robs the home town Of
this trade is contrary to highest eco
nomic law. Such a system retard.
progress and works against all within
the community. Dependent upon thu
prosperity of the home town are thu
degrees of efficiency of the schools
he classes of churches, the libraries
the public halls. improvement o
treets and public conVeniences o
very class and kind. In accordance
! With the Increase Of wealth new indue