Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-04-03
FOR THE SPECTATOR.
SITES FOR VILLAGES.
Continued. J

Continued.
An epitome, then, of our inquiries into
the local advantages which should be
considered when selecting site in the
interior of country like Illinois, is the
following THAT health, the first and
greatest object, to which all others should
be subservient, requires for its enjoy
ment DRY, airy, open eminence, as re-
mote as possible from any sources OF
disease, especially those in southwest
or westerly direction; and that being
Immediately surrounded by wood, and
adjacent to spring water, is, for that rea-
son, generally, not only great injury,
bu, that, on the contrary, timber at dis
tance, and pump or we'll water are much
more conducive to private and public
prosperity. Let US now briefly consider
the
RELATIVE ADVANTAGES.
The centre Of population is the great
est. In this country the very peculiari-
ties point out the spot, and, if natural cir
cumstances are undisturbed, will pro-
duce the desired effect. The large
creeks are generally separated from
each other by large prairies, which can
never be settled; but the branches of
those creeks furnish smaller prairies
we'll suited to support dense popula-
ton. The first settlers, however, gene
rally select along the creeks or branch
es fronting the large prairies, on &C
count of the range, &C.; and opposite
sides are thus frequently occupied be-
fore the intermediate place receives the
attention it merits. Although neither
aettlement may ever be sufficiently po-
pulous to produce village of a sponta-
neous growth for itself, yet town spe-
culator is sure to arise among each party !;
his views spread like an epidemic mania
a spirit of rivalship on both sides imme-
diately ensues, with the usual conse-
quences, creation of dissensions, and ex-
Aauston ofresources. Should both spe-
sulators ultimately succeed in giving a
mushroom start to theirrespective towns,
thelr hopes of future advancement are
divided between their own neighbors and
the Inhabitants on the opposite side of
some large prairie; but these calcula-
lations on distant customers, it is evident,
must be temporary, as the same state of
things speedily taking place in each Sec
ton of the country, will confne them
nearer home. Two respectable villages
cannot then be the fruit of one creek and
ats branches within fifteen or twenty miles.
One must sink, and the other rise, by
some accidental circumstance, in which
case the whole population on one side
must depend on the other, and be sub
ject to all the grievances and inconven.
fences of distant dependence; or both
decay to nourish some central spot for
the mutual accommodation of the par
ties concerned. 1t is better then at first
to select at some point between the
branches of a creek. In addition to the
advantages of concentration towards a
Aouriohiny village, by preventing the
rivalship of Insignificant villages, the
bad effects displayed in politics-in SLAM
der-alienating friends and embittering
notwithstanding the temper, and cor
rupting the heart, are also prevented.
! would further remark, that, where
other circumstances are equal, as the
line of population is so narrow, dis.
lance of four or Ave miles up and down
the course of creek will not near Sc
much affect the centre ofpopulation, and
consequently the inconvenience of the
mass ofinhabitants, as one mile to the righ
or left; for. across long narrow streak
every mile is an object in reference to the
important consideration just treated. Of
But in determining the centre of popu.
lation, the relative distance Of undisputa.
bly, well established and permaf3ent vii.
lagos should be considered, for it is the
centre Of effective population ON which
the site mus, depend.
Those inhabitants Of any section ofthe
country who may be nearer to flourish
ing village, or better market, will evil
IDENTITY lend their effective aid to that vii
1age, and should not therefore be taken
into consideration. Other circumstance