dlebags, and, where a better lodging
could not be found, camped in the woods by the roadside. The early
judges of the Supreme Court, some of whom were transferred to the
Supreme Court of the United States, rode in the same manner on
their circuit, administering justice impartially, but firmly, for
the salary of $1,000 a year, only raised to $100 a month about the
year 1820. The doctors and preachers shared the general life and
condition and the same homely fare as their patients and hearers.

A life like this developed individual character and produced many
men of odd characteristics, strange manners and peculiar dress and
conversation. The almost universal use of whisky during the pioneer
period in the family circle and in social life, and the habit of
treating and drinking, led to many wild scenes and fights, but,
unlike their brethren of the south, the contestants commonly were
content with the weapons nature gave them. It was not unusual,
when a quarrel arose, to gather around them, form a circle and give
them fair play and a free fight. There can be no doubt that in
those early days many rude scenes and fights and violence of many
kinds occurred, and such crimes were indulged with more charity
than now prevails. But it is equally true that thefts and the
meaner crimes were more rare than now, and when disclosed were
punished with greater severity than acts of violence. The stealing
of a horse was considered a greater crime than manslaughter without
malice or premeditation.

But all these habits and ideas have been greatly changed for at
least fifty years. The habit of drinking spirituous liquor at the
homestead, in the family circle, or on the farm, has almost entirely
ceased. As a rule, it is confined to saloons and bar-rooms, mostly
in the cities and large towns, and a "free fight" in the presence
of spectators could not now occur in any community in the state.
The enforcement of the criminal laws is as certain as in any other
community. The discipline of penitentiaries and reformatories and
houses of correction is founded upon the best examples of such
institutions in the older states, and the most civilized countries
of Europe.

There is one other quality developed by the people of Ohio which
will be readily conceded by all. The people from the earliest days
were born politicians, vigorous in the defense of their opinions
and firm in the maintenance of all their rights. The events in
their hist