Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1942-04-02
Then And Now

Last week one of our country correspondents was
lamenting because the grocery truck might have to
discontinue making deliveries to her home because of
tire restrictions This same correspondent has also
expressed the wish that we might return to the good
old times of years ago. Many have expressed the
WISH and do not doubt their sincerity There
were many pleasant things connected with the lives
of past generations that make strong appeal, and
they are remembered. However, we believe that
many do not look at all sides of the picture They
remember the pleasures then. but do not consider
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. do they fully realize the con-
veniences and other things of today that should
make for enjoyment:
A few years ago, no community far from town was
served with grocery delivery truck, for the
that roads practically impossible many months
in the year. People complain ii the R. F. D.
mail is few hours late, because of high water
bad roads and is delayed few hours in making
the rounds. Back few years we had no mail delv-
cry in the country They now complain because their
telephones get out of order. Back some years no
one had the convenient telephones. We growl be-
cause the static was that favorite radio
gram could not be heard. No one had radio then
enjoy We complain when We telephone the doc
tor because he does not arrive in few minutes. In
good old times, they had to walk go horseback
bad roads after doctor and often it would be
day his arrival In the good old days
diphtheria would wipe out entire families and the
thing true of smallpox tuberculosis typhoid
fever and other than fatal diseases which diseases
today conquered through proper sanitation
and modern medicine In the good old days there
would tinaes when mail in the country districts
would be received for weeks, and there would be
sickness and death short distance away, of which
many would not know about. In the good old
days farmers would haul their grain over muddy roads
to market to be ground into flour meal often TAX
ing full day longer. Now in few minutes -four,
meal ground feed for stock is obtained in short
time.
But someone will ask how about the and
crime in the world today. There crime back in
the good old tmes-perhaps not much but back
there before the day of the telegraph, telephone,
radio and daily papers, crimes were committed Of
which the general public knew nothing-now it is
flashed throughout the nation and world. AS to
wars, we had them the same then as now. Let's con-
slider soldiers of past Back then lack of san
itary conditions in camp poor food and because of in
adequate medical attention. disease would sweep the
taking greater toll than bullets. Clothing was
inadequate Food of the coarsest and poorest,
quality. Now with refrigeration canning processes
modern cooking equipment and trained cooks our
soldiers better fed than the majority of people in
civilian life The medical attention given them now,
the food they served and the manner in which
their health is looked after in general makes of
soldiers better and stronger men in many instances
than when they entered the service. 1t that
way in the past.
While conditions in the world far from being
perfect, and while still have and perhaps always
will have worries, hardships, wars suffering etc.
let's not forget that forebears had them also
much than have, today. Let's remem-
ber we have conditions, conveniences etc. today that
they dreamed of in the past, and take
them sort of for granted, realizing what they
to until after the grocery truck ceases to
make it's regular rounds.