The original of the letter written by Horace Greeley, sometime near
the middle of the sixties, in reply to the application for advice of a
discharged soldier boy, and in which occurred the famous phrase, “Go
west, young man, and grow up with the country,” is supposed to have
been destroyed, with other valuable historic papers, in a recent fire
in Youngstown, Ohio.
It was superb advice profitably followed by thousands of young men,
sires and grandsires of millions of the finest of western citizens of
today.
But--Why was that historic document in private possession? That was
not at all fit wit for our Youngstown friend to exhibit. In the safe
custody of the Ohio Historical Society that precious letter justly
belonged, and there it would repose securely now if prudence had but
guided its owner.
Which raises the pertinent question--Have _you_ an historical souvenir
that is being endangered while you neglect to transfer it to the
Wisconsin State Historical Society? Wisconsin homes contain many
mementoes that rightly belong in the historical society’s fireproof
building.
Are _you_ playing safe? Let us not expose the lack of circumspection
shown by the Youngstown antiquarian. Besides--Ten thousand persons can
enjoy relics in the historical rooms where one does in a private home.
Therefore--Be warned!