Page 66

And here I wish to remark, and render
honor, to whom honor is due. The
late Dr. T. Patterson, in substance, said
to me some forty years ago: "John, buy
up all this old land around you (it could
then have been bought for a nominal
price.) It is remarkably susceptible to
the action of lime, and can be easily
made to produce vegetable matter to
return to the soil, and make the best
farms in Maryland. The recent general
application of lime to our worn out
soils, and remarkable results always
brings to my mind the sage advice of
the Doctor.

While those former neglected lands
are now realizing what would then have
been considered fabulous prices; and
while the past attractions to farm life
not encouraging; the present opportunities
are unsurpassed. Also we
anticipate according to all human probability,
our grand future. All the elements
of national greatness surround
us—our native population are being
educated to a proper appreciation of the
local and general advantages of soil, and
climate, turnpikes, canal, and railroads,
over which are daily conveyed our vast
surplus of agricultural products.

And I consider premature the caustic
remark of the railroad guide, "The Unfruitful
Montogomery County."

The sound of the mechanic's hammer
resounds daily as the numerous cottages
and barns arise over the county, and
forcibly illustrates the fact that agriculture
brings into existence all the mechanics'
arts.

Having sketched man, physically, and
intellectually, I will now point to his
moral development, as illustrated in the
advance of our county.

The immortal Washington, in his valedictory,
said "of all the dispositions
and habits which lead to prosperity, religion
and morality are indispensable
supports. In vain would that man
claim the tribute of patriotism, who
should labor to subvert these great pillars
of human happiness—these firmest
props of the duties of men and citizens."

And to-day we realize the importance
of those prophetic remarks, in the stability
of our institutions; as on the cultivation
of the moral virtues and intelligence
of our citizens the whole foundation
of government and happiness of
the people depends.

The sceptic may philosophise and the
fool laugh, but Washington had seen
and experienced the fearful effects of a
Jacobin Democracy, without the restraints
of morality and religion, turned
loose to riot in plunder and murder;
while France, from infidelity, was unable
to prevent anarchy and ruin leading
to a military despotism.

And happy will it be for our beloved
homes and country to be preserved from
the threatening danger of infidelity,
anarchy, and crime, by adhering to the
sage advice of the patriots of the revolution.
The application of these remarks
needs no comment. And I proceed
to show and contrast the twenty
years since the war with the history
that preceded it.

Before the days of canals and railroads
the Cumberland turnpike was made,
over which the ponderous wagons were
drawn lader, with flour, bacon, lard, butter,
clover seed and whisky, etc., passing
through the central parts of the
county to the District of Columbia.

The way side accommodations for the
trade were also the popular resorts of
the citizens. And in those days it
would have been considered a breach of
politeness not to have accepted and returned
a friend's treat to alcoholic stimulants
(with the exception that in those
days old rye whisky—not the poisonous
compounds of the present day, was drunk).

These convivial gatherings were supplemented
by cock fights, horse races.
And when the liquor temperature reached
blood heat, generally a knock down
with the pugulists settled the dispute.

At that time not only the villages, but
also Rockville or the county seat, was no
exception to the general custom.

The lands of the county were cleared
the virgin soils exhausted, and emigration
commended westward. From 1820
to 1840 the population decreased about
three thousand. The subsequent introduction
of Peruvian guano and its application
produced a reaction and revolution
in farming. Emigration was
checked. The Montgomery County Agricultural
Society was organized, and up
to the commencement of our last Civil
War Montgomery county was advancing
in agriculture, morals and temperance.

But here my pen recoils, and I pass
over a period of five years. While all
are aware that civil war does not elevate
or refine the morals of a community.

The consumption of liquor, the very
counterpart of old rye, was inaugurated,
poisonous drugs was substituted, and
the prohibition movement has scarcely
eradicated the evil.

Also at that period only one fourth of
the county was well cultivated. While
to-day more than half of the cultivatable
lands are thoroughly utilized. Railroad
facilities convey to our farms lime,
commercial fertilizers, and also export
vegetable, fruit, dairy, and meat production.

But my narrative would fail to show
the grand results were I to omit demonstrating
the advance of intellectual and
moral culture, such as schools, churches
and temperance organizations.

Montgomery county to-day has educational
facilities of a high order—primary
schools are general, academies for
males and female are numerous, with
competent instructors.

The numerous churches, a large number
of which are recent and costly
structures, show the taste, appreciation,
and high moral culture of the population