Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 2, Number 28, DeMotte, Jasper County, 2 February 1933 — EDITORIAL [ARTICLE]

EDITORIAL

First impressions here: Just about the best looking town and farm homes we have ever seen--all in good repair ... lots of live stock ... good roads ... excellent restaurants ... grocery stores with good stocks and low prices ... hardware and general store proprietors up on their toes ... a good bank--an asset of untold worth ... business men and citizens in general friendly eager to serve and to help. About the best proof that we found that all this section, and DeMotte especially, is the fact that not a vacant house could be found in town Saturday where “ye editor” and family could move their belongings. Of course in some ways that was mighty inconvenient, but then, on the other hand, it is good proof that this section is growing and prospering, even in these depressing times. We all like a home that looks as if it was a place in which to live. A town can look the same, a friendly, liveable place. This community has such a look. The man who is saving his money today and denying himself many luxuries and pleasures he might enjoy, will be taxed a few years hence to take care of the fellow who is spending as he goes today and who today would resent bitterly any interference with his profligacy. The man who chooses to be himself must make up his mind to be the target for every shaft that critics can shoot. If he is big enough to laugh his critics to scorn and continue his independence the world will respecr him for it--if he is not, he will be swept aside and his individuality counted a petty foible and a ridiculous peculiarity. It takes courage to be one’s self--to refuse to lie down in a common mold and be and think and act as the world about us thinks and acts. It takes energy to be one’s self, tireless energy. Anyone can drive with the current. But for a refreshing, stimulating, interesting companion give me the man who thinks for himself and plows his own fields, arrives at his own conclusions. He is a refreshing change from the mass of commonplace and trite. An editor coming into an entirely strange community is in somewhat of a “hole” until he gets his bearings. An editor, of course, is expected to know all things so that he can print the news in his paper. That it a little bit hard to do when you know only a very few people. Any news items which citizens here hand to us, or tell us, will be received with warmest feelings. Our office at DeMotte will be open every day, and visitors will be welcomed. We plan to put in a complete job printing plant at DeMotte in the near future, but until we do we have arranged to handle all work of this kind through another plant. We are prepared to quote you lowest prices, and to give prompt delivery. We will appreciate your patronage.