The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-08-14

y minister moved from California to
city in West Virginia. In keeping
with the habit acquired by nincly-n!n"
and ninety-uine hundredths per cent OF
all the people who have ever lived IN
I California, the minister referred 10 the
wonders OF the great Pacific coast state
! on all occasions.
\ large public meeting was 10 he he!u
| in the town where he was u pastor. Ire
! committee in charge OF the program de-
Cidcd they would not place the minister
! in d position where he could refer 10 MS
! former state. Accordingly, they asked
| him to open the meeting with prayer
| When he was called upon 10 offer the
| Invocation. he began: O Lord, thoC
! knowcst when thy servant was In the
| beautiful state OF California, etc"
! Every person from California swei!s
with pride when the name OF this state
! is mentioned. And If some one rails 10
| give due consideration 10 that wonder
! :uI section Of the country, he Is looked
at with plying stare. The Ca!ifor-
mans actually believe they have The
greatest state in tho Union, the most
! wonderful climate. and more beautiful
| scenery than is to he found in the New
Jerusalem Yet there fingers the Fear
that an earthquake may occur any
! minute
J Last week heard two men who live
! in California deliver lectures. Both or
| them In the course OF their addresses.
! took occasion to mention their wonder
! ful state I talked 20 one Of the men
after his lecture, and asked him why ~
was he moved from Ohio, where he was
born. and in such n short time became
imbucd with his new home. He said 10
/ me: IL know six other states IN the
~ q
as in California. But have caught the
spirit. II has become the habit for any
! ono living in California 70 boost ~. I
i would be an exception II did not boast
about it's wonderful advantages"
| thought to myself: 'West Virgin
ians should take lesson from this at
! titudc Why can't we. with state just
as remarkable "a California, or any
other state for that matter. reveiop a
similar spirit? We have as wonderful
scenery as California. We have almost
as delightful climate. we have no eartn
ouakes. we have more native born IN
habitants. We have the purest hlooaed
Americans TO be found IN the United
| states we have more natural resources
Va, we do not show the pride In our
state that citizens OF California show
! in theirs
Some people with whom I have taIk-
! cd have claimed they were ashamed
they we're natives Of this State MY
opinion Is that the State has more rea-
son 10 he ashamed of such citizens.
But this Is not characteristic OF tho
! great bulk Of West VirEinians. | have
a letter from lady living In small
! town in this State In which she says:
! mo better people ever walked IN that
! much shoe leather than the West Viz
. ginia people. Born and bred IN West
| Virginia Is the greatest title inherit
and proud and thankful TO the living
| Cod that We are not going TO yield
I to the rulings OF other states" Her
( English isn't good. but she has the
, right spirit
heard n man say few days ago!
When I am in another State. 7 try tc
| visit Rotary. Kiwanls, Lions and other
! clubs Frequently I am called u7or
10 make n few remarks, and on such
occa ssions never fail to talk about
the wonderful state IN which I live
This Is habit every West VirEiniar
should acquire.
\ friend OF mine related 10 me ar
experience he had recently in Keokuk
Iowa. In the lobby Of the leading no
toll he met a prominent lawyer who
said We'll. YOU come from that law
less State" My friend was ready e
fight. He told the lawyer in stronG
language that he had the wrong I'M
pcrssion Of this state
While We should not so ONT Of Wes'
Virginia in fighting mood. although
II Is pretty hard 20 curb our fcc'
ings sometimes. stu when we arc ira
yelling We should stand up for our ma
tive state. We should not hesitate u
defend It from all attacks. In ordel