Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1938-06-09
SIDE LIGHTS
ON
LOCAL HISTORY
By
Sfas,bery Alderman,

Having Morgan county properly
organized and the first election helC
and the Jail built, we can leave il
to care for itself short time while
we go back in time and bring the
general history of the Northwest
Territory up to a comparative date
In as much as history of a
county is a history of it's people, we
must know something about the
people, how they think and for
what they are striving, If we would
record history accurately.
find l have copy of very
rare broadside or pamphlet contain
ing, among other items, "An ad-
dress to the citizens sof the United
States, northwest of the Ohio.''
l believe this gives the views Of
those in authority better than any
other item l have found, and that
you may have the viewpoint of the
men Of that day who were directing
the new state, will give some ex-
tracts from it.
In September Of 1899, the gen.
eral assembly met for the first time,
and on the 23rd organized by elect
ing officers. Edward Tiffin was
chosen speaker and on the 25tk
Governor st. Clair addressed the
council and the house of represen-
tatives. The address of st. Clair
was confined, in large measure, to
an outline of what legislation would
be needed and general statement
of how things were in the new ter
ritory.
Sessions were held, with no reg
ularity, during September, October,
November and into December. A
total Of 80 bills were passed and
they decided to adjourn on Decem-
ber 10th, 1899.
Thinking it proper that the cit
1zens of the territory should have
some word from the assembly, Tiffin
wrote an address, dated December
18, 1893, but very likely prepared
over a period Of several days before
that date.
/ quote from that address: "Fel-
1ow-citizens-we are not insensible
OF the honor conferred on us in Sc
lecting us to the honorable, though
arduous task, of framing laws to pro-
tect and secure the personal rights
and the prosperity of so numerous
and respectable class of men set
tied over an extensive tract of coun-
try....How far we have succeeded.
can only be known. when those laws
come into operation. If good
Intentions. ..entitle us to your ap-
probation. we shall receive it from
a brave and generous people with
pleasing sensations. Expenses.
are necessary (for) government.
To provide. expenses. Ia land tax.
presents itself las the principal.
(source) for this purpose. We
conceive this the least burdensome
to the greatest class of citizens. as
(much Of it, will be paid by per-
sons living without the territory.
(but) owning large tracts of land
therein. Our soil, climate and nav
1gable waters present to the mind |
of observation and contemplation
the most pleasing views and pros
poets of the future greatness and
Importance Of this part of the
American empire. (but) to realize |
those advantages exertions must be |
made. which are within the power |
of an industrious, enterprising and |
enlightened people,. Let the pres
ent generation set the example.
(by) disseminating idleness and dis
sipation... (and) by encouraging in
dustry, frugality, temperance and |
every moral virtue.... (and) in a few
years the desert will disappear be-
fore the hand of industry. the
fields will be covered with f1ocks....
and the face of nature will blossom
like the rose.... Religion, morality !
and knowledge are necessary to all
good governments say the venerable |
trainers of our constitution, and to
this great truth every man of lib
eral information will subscribe. -.
The liberal grants of land, from the
United states, for the purpose of |
erecting and endowing univer-
sity,.... (and) for the support of re-
1igion,. ..are superior in these re-
spects. to those of which any other
country can boast.... To these let
us contribute. that wisdom, knowl-
edge, and virtue. may be widely diff
fused.... Let us inculcate the prin-
ciples of humanity, benevolence,
honesty and punctuality in dealing,
sincerity, charity and all the social
Let it be remembered
that the foundation of public pros
perity and happiness must be laid
in private families. Every we'll
family is little. ..commun-
ity; land great community made
up of such families must be pros
porous and happy at home and re-
spectacle Abroad"