CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE. 355 



and no thief can break through and steal them," The ob- 

 jects of his early affections, may have been taken from him 

 .by death; but, if they were wise, virtuous and innocent hu- 

 man beings, they have only preceded him a few years, to his 

 and their ultimate, eternal home; and they must have left with 

 him, ten thousand tender recollections, that will become dear- 

 er and dearer; and hopes that will shine brighter and brighter, 

 every day, during his life time. Such a man from his age, pro- 

 found learning, knowledge of mankind, disinterestedness and 

 sincerity, broad and liberal views, experience of all kinds; 

 business-talents, and other qualifications, is fitter for any high 

 civil station, than at any earlier period of his life. 



However, the present course of things in this respect, will 

 be changed, within a few years, when the state becomes more 

 fully settl-ed. From the very nature of circumstances, we in 

 Ohio, are now exactly half way between the highest, and low- 

 est states of society. In the very wisest society, age is hon- 

 ored — so it is equally in the savage state, but here, either ve- 

 ry young men, or new comers among us, take the lead in eve- 

 ry thing. Time, experience and good sense, will eventually 

 cure the evil of which we may now so justly complain. 



In a country where every man is a sovereign, means should 

 be used to make that sovereign a wise and good one. Good 

 masters make good servants. Too much pains cannot be ta- 

 ken by our legislature, and all our influential men, to diffuse 

 the lights of knowledge, morality and religion, among the 

 great mass of the people. That we have, considering our 

 age as a state, considering our remote interior situation, and 

 all the hardships in the way when Ohio was originally settled; 

 located as the early immigrants were, in a vast wilderness, 

 where savages, fierce and barbarous roamed among wild beasts 

 — that we have prospered, we say, more than any other peo- 

 ple ever did in the world, is most certain; but our exertions to 

 improve our condition, are by no means to be relaxed. It will 

 require increased activity every moment, to keep pace with 

 the age in which we live; and as our means of doing good in- 

 crease, the increased numbers of our people will require in 



