Think Well On't.
Alcona, August 22, 1877.
There has been visible to the readers of the Alcona County Review, some few articles of late, from Alcona. One was, particularly, signed "Achid." wherein he informed the readers of prosperity of sixty odd actual settlers, and how happy they felt. He particularly stated that no deaths were caused by starvation, as he claimed some of the knowing predicted, if the store in Alcona should shut down on the settlers last Spring (or as he termed, mossbacks). Certainly, persons who offered such expressions, I would say must have known very little about the store in Alcona, and, in fact, I think possess little understanding--and there are some of those who speak only to hear themselves. And again I will say, it if very unbecoming to send such nonsensical whims to the public press to be sent away from there in printed form to be gazed upon by our neighbors and strangers, and every one who looks at it will acknowledge the same, if the think well on't. The tone of this article showed a meaning which some readers could not understand, whilst to many others it explained that he (Achid), in behalf of the settlers, retained a feeling of ungratefulness, or, to be plain, a hatred toward the store owners of Alcona.
I think if our correspondent considers the matter a little, he will think to himself, and say, it is better to be neutral in such matters, because, by writing such articles, it leads to cause our neighbors to think well on't, and surely they will think worse of it. It causes neighbors to accuse the innocent for writing such slurs, as they are called by me. It shows ill feelings toward some particular party or parties. It is also the cause of injury to the correspondents themselves--besides, we are favored with the weekly visits of the Alcona County Review, and it is not established (I will venture to say) for the purpose of slandering one and another. Now in future, I as a neighbor, would advise all correspondents to retain their ill feelings toward their neighbors. It does not cause people of sense to estimate them as great writers or smart individuals--for a fact every one possesses abuse enough, if they but felt disposed to display it, but, among people of sense, they refrain.
And now dear readers and correspondents I will leave you to think well on't, and hope that none of our neighbors will ever complain to the Review, again, that which is unnecessary, but which only excites the minds of many good neighbors.
As for the farmers of our township, I will here state that they are all, as a general thing, industrious people. They are fast clearing their lands and making nice farms of them, but they are not expected to do as much as a stronger people in the same length of time. The greater number of them began to farm with scarcely any means, and they are deserving of much praise. Several among them will have reaped resource enough from their farms this season to live comfortable until the harvest of another year, and I, as a neighbor, do heartily wish them all an abundant return for their hard and honest labor.--As for the store owners of Alcona, I would say it is unreasonable to expect them to buy stock to accommodate the public, if therefrom they cannot get returns enough to pay even their clerks' hire and other expenses when they are due. Common sense will teach any person, who possesses the same, that any store owners would not throw money out of pocket to torture the inhabitants or settlers. No, I think they would rather make money, if there was any to be made, or enough to pay expenses.
Hoping hereafter the neighbors will not see any more troubles criticized, or commented upon, through the columns of the Review; wishing all our good settlers and people of Alcona neighborly love for one another in the future, I recommend all correspondents to think well on't.
Thanking Mr. Editor for his space in the columns of the Review for what I have written, I remain
Respectfully,
D. D. D. D. D. D. M.