Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1910-01-14

the time when a division of labor
was recognized. To that extent
he was a free man.
Money was still practically un-
known and not needed by these
people. Labor took its place.
the era of competition had not
yet arrived. There was no de-
sire at this time to acquire any
thing beyond a living and this
was easily done, and any other
efforts ON their part We're con-
sidered of no use. At the sea-
ports o few people had gathered
and bartered with the men who
came in on the ships from for
eign countries.
These conditions continued for
a great number of years and
then there was finally introduc-
ed at the cross roads, where the
blacksmith and a few other ar
tisans had gathered, what is
known today as the fairs. They
were held nnder the shadow and
protection of the governing class.
Merchants from across the seas
came to attend them and eX-
change for goods they desired.
1t was discovered at these fairs
that while exchanges were TAX
ing place that there was a differ
ence. quite often. in the value
of the articles offered for ex-
change and money had been used
principally among the aristo-
Gratis only:-but now it came in
use among the common people in
making the difference in the exl
changes. This money was taken
with the understanding that the
holdersof it could use it to ac-
quire some other articles at fu-
ture fair.
Having noted that blacksmiths
and a few other artisans and
mechanics were the nearest
Free-men in this society of nom
free or laboring class, we also
see that there was beginning to
dawn q day of freedom to the
laboring man.
The next great stride of prog
ress sounded the death knell of
the power of the feudal lords,
which. however, was slow and
almost inperceptible. Several
generations had passed by, and
the people increased rapidly and
more blacksmiths and other me-
chanics were needed to meet the
new conditions of society at the
crossroads. During the quiet
time of the year, they busted
themselves making articles for
exchange at the fairs which were
in ready demand, and naturally
created a trade for the articles
offered. These conditions de-
Imanded more men to work at the
various trades but they were
hard to secure, and when a man
was found who, under the Gus
tom of the country, was recog-
nized as free, a keen rivalry
sprang up among the men who
1 owned shops, to secure him.
Every man of that time was
some way attached to the soil to
he extent that he had to be con-
nected with some land owner
who could demand his services.
While the people in the towns
spoke of Freeman, there was
not yet, in the strict sense of
the word, that condition. The
landlords claimed the services of
the men on the farms and as
soon as the made their departure
with the intention of not return
ing they were at once consider
ed outlaws. But the merchants
had power and influence and it
was recognized by the Feudal
Lords who lived among them.
They had acquired a little sur
plus money at the fairs which
they could now use to exchange
for goods anywhere. Having
discovered this they at once saw
that they were no longer compel
led to take the land of the Feud-
al Lords and have it worked in
order to make a living. This
made them independent. The
Feudal Lords, who would not
work themselves began to get
worried. Some of the people to
whom land had been assigned,
failed to work or pay their dues.
The condition which had arisen
was entirely different from the
one that had existed in the past.