White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1916-05-19

There have been many excellent
addresses and articles on the econom-
les of trading at home as opposed to
the practice Of buying from a dis
tant catalog house, and we believe 1t
is pretty well established in the minds
of all who have studied the problem
without prejudice, that 1t is not only
good citizenship but good business
to buy at least the bulk Of ones re-
Quirements in the home markets;
that prices, quality, terms and serv-
ice considered, one usually gets as
good value for his money, If not bet
ter, from the local dealer than from
anyone else.
But there is also the moral obliga-
ton and this has seldom been better
expressed than in the following words
from a recent sermon delivered by
the Rev. William H. Handy:
But the last and strongest reason
why it is right that the country peo-
pie spend their money at home is
the moral obligation.
The town is yours, yours to ruin or
prosper. The same sense of obliga-
ton should prompt you to support it.,
as prompted our old Teutonic ances-
tors in the forests of Germany to
stand elbow to elbow in protection
of their village. The same spirit Of
loyalty should inspire you as fired the
Highland Scot to spend his blood for
the welfare of his clan.
That country town with all Its
faults is the best governed, most en-.
lightened, most moral, and happiest
spot in American civilization. 1t Is
a good safe place. Not too swift, nor
yet too slow. In touch with the cur.
rent of progress, but not racing with
greed. The place from which come
nearly all the great business men,
lawyers, scholars, preachers, physi
clans. The place where men are
neighborly and helpful.
This town, my farmer friend, Is
yours. But the city belongs to the
mail order houses and the devil. With
it's corrupt government, it's overflow
of population, and its vice, the great
city is the menace of our morals
and our liberties.
The city like the dragon swallows
the vast throngs of country boys and
girls that flock into it, and by and by
when health and virtue and hope are
gone, spews them out to die in want.
or wander as derelicts over the face
of the earth.
And don't you see, my friend, that
when you take the money from the
country town, you destroy the chance
of success there, and the boys and
girls will follow where you have sent
the money?
This town of yours was founded on
faith, on the faith of the customs of
men for hundreds Of years to trade
at the nearest town. These mer
chants and carpenters, masons and
editors are your neighbors. They
have grown up amongst others like
you.
They have put their all in a little
business, money, time and hope.
Around the corner there is little
cottage, and the wife and the baby
it may be your grand baby-wait;
and there is smile Of happiness
when business is good" but the
troubled look comes when business is
poor.
They are struggling to live, and
pay for the little home, and by and
by educate the children. They are
your neighbors and friends, not your
enemies. They work hard-you
scarcely realize how hard-and are
not living high. They have pinned
their faith to the town-your town.
Their success or failure is in your
hands. For your trade they will give
you good returns, and all will prosper
together. II you withdraw your trade
failure must follow. Some poor
struggfer must go down facing bank
ruptcy. The light must go out of
some woman's eye, and hardship be
laid up for the child.
Even If you could save little by
sending your patronage to the city.
do you not think 1t the fair thing,