Manchester Democrat., 1920-09-29
LETTER FROM MRS. ELDER.
Editors Democrat:

LETTER FROM MRS. ELDER.
Editors Democrat:
Just a few lines this beautiful
autumnal morning, through the coli
nmns Of the Democrat to my friends
in the vicinity Of dear old Manches-
ter, my home town. i see by that
good paper. which. receive weekly,
that the County fair at that place is
thing Of the past while ours of the
OF the Inland Empire at Spokane
Tuesday next, September 7th, Rnd
lasts, week, and although there is .
little mile board right opposite my
home on the Great Northern railroad
which reads Spokane 73 miles," I
intend to be on the grounds, especial
ly on the 10th to hear Governor James
Cox speak, for some OF our family go
by automobile to Spokane about every
week, SO shall not miss that treat,
and the many other attractions at the
Fair City.
In the very near future, perhaps
within couple OF weeks. we expect to
take an automobile trip to the coast.
to the home of my brother, Ransom
Lanning, q Civil War veteran, who
resides at Port Townsend, on Puget
Sound, and to visit friends in Seattle
and thereabouts.
You know I live in state where
the women who wish to may vote, and
although / have never been greatly in
favor 6f going to the polls myself, still
/ think in these trying times Of worry
and strife It Is the duty Of every
person having the right to vote to
exercise that right at the coming cleo
ton as there are great issues at stake
on various matters, and 1t is of the ut
most Importance that each Office
should be filed by the best man to be
had, and every woman as we'll as
every man should make an effort to
inform herself regarding these issues;
and also Of the persons to be chosen,
and then get out and vote accordingly.
So many Of US who offer continuous
complaints about "how things are run"
and criticise those in power show a
complete lethargy when 1t comes to
studying the issues and the compe-
tency OF the persons running for
office. So /, together with the bal
ance Of the women Of Addy, have al
ready registered and can vote If wish
on the prevailing question OF woman
suffrage and drink, in the effort to en-
force morality by act Of legislature.
If such thing can be done. This l
greatly doubt as there. are already
laws sufficiently stringent against
every species of vice; laws enough to
exterminate drunkenness and swind-
ling, and he who expects a new law,
which will be more effectualithan the
old one, does not understand why the
old laws have failed in the effort in
tended, Every man should be pro-
tected by law in his person and prop
erty, from violence and fraud; but no
man can be protected against himself,
for that requires a higher law than
was ever written on any statute book.
Yes. each week brings me the Mall
chester Democrat and with what mis-
givings do open the loved sheet for
1t seems that the grim messenger mas
been very busy Of late in summoning
so many OF the dear ones up to that
city which knoweth no night. Still,
there is something so inexpressibly
beautiful for those loved ones VINO
have passed the boundaries OF youth
and middle age, who were lingering
with faltering steps upon the change
less ''other shore;" who have fought
life's rough battle and CONQUERED
many foe, therefore have been pa
tienty waiting for the pale boatman
to signal them and take them across
the chill waters, beyond which1 lies
the eternal city which has been almost
in view for some time, but was hidden
by the shadowy mists that fall like q
veil between earth and heaven. But
oh! how they will be missed IN the
circles in which they moved and we
know that we are better for their
having lived among us. The world
NAV not long remember what is writ
ten here but their life's work will live
on forever.
I must not write a lengthy letter
this time because may perhaps write
something about the Spokane fair
soon. but as I am now resident or
this far away land ] must tell you
about the fertility Of the country and
its wonderful resources, so this VIII
be descriptive of this part OF Washing
ton Of which Spokane, Waila Waiia.
Seattle and Tacoma are chief cities.
It is a prairie country. beautifully
rolling in some portions and very
broken in others. The hills, which
are covered with 1uxuriant growth
OF vegetation, are so very steep ana
high that persons coming from a
level country can scarcely believe tnat
the land is tillable; but In most ali
places around these parts the land is
wonderfully productive. the average
Weld for grain for the harvest Just
past was about rs bushel OF oats 10
the acre. Il had to lay aside my pen
for moment while ran into the
creamery to ask Ned Griffith, my SON
yn-law. and he said this piece OF oats
Joining our lot always went about lzV
bushels to the acre; but in many cas- es
far below that, and in some instances
49, r,f oats harley AQQ