Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-06-28

'own to the original Inhabitants and how plsnti-
ful the harvest which has been gathered in
Where the light canoe ofthc Indian alone broke
the silence of the great waters, all now is viii
tened by the canvass of commercial enterprise
Where the smoke ofthe rude hamlet curlsd aloft
through the dark green forest, cities and villages
have arisen in their might whose spires are peer
ing to the heavens. What change is here and
what reflections does il bring! Yes. lingering
remnant of once powerful people yet exist q
mong us, but how have they fallen from the high
state of their fathers. No longer the lofty de-
meanor, the stately dignity of uncontrolled free
dom form the characteristic Of their nature
Their spirits are broken-they are bowed low in
the dust. Unfortunate sons of the wilderness,
your peace has forever fed, and the dim distant
future brings no solace to your wounded hearts.
No bright. joy Gus prospects are before you. No
glad star ofhope illumes your pathway of life
All is darkness, impenetrablo darkness. like tho
thick gloom ofnight. You are wanderers in the
land, and strangers amid the home of your ia
theirs. The hand of violence has pursued you
"1s'A ~A''oA''issHB FcnScouCcs
BY this time, presume, you are weary of my
soliloquising, SO I'll return to my subject: From
Nottawa. we came to Centreville. ther espnty seat
of st. Joseph. The prospects for Ia Is town are
very fiattering here. And there is good coun-
try around. when improved.
From Centreville, ! came to Constantine, a
distance ofabout ten miles. This is also vii
lage of recent growth. Six years lsince. and /
am told that the site upon which it now stands,
was forest then unbroken. II is situated upon
the ST. Joseph, about one hundred and fly miles
from its mouth, by the course of the river, and
some sixty or seventy by land. That this is one
day to become place of some importance, no one
can reasonably doubt. have not seen more
beautiful stream than the st. Joseph. Its cur
rent is swift-its waters pure and sparkling
1t rolls along maestically within its banks, which
abound in scenery, not indeed, wild and pictur-
esque like that of the far-famed Hudson, but de.
lightful, covered with the verdant foliage of the
forest, or the more genial fragrance of the spring
flowers. The whole valley of the ST. Joseph il
probably unsurpassed for beauty of situation, and
fertility of soil by any part of Michigan. At
Constantine there is extensive water power, uf.
fcient. when properly improved, TO carry ma
chnery of all kinds. to almost an unlimited ex-
tent. 1t is also surrounded by country, rapid
ly filling up with farmers. whose produce will
here find ready market, either for homo con-
sumption, or for the purpose of being shipped
Many valuable improvements were to have been
made this season, but the pressure of the times
which is every where felt, more or less, has rem
dered them inexpedieni for the present. 1t is al
so more than probable that the Rail Road from
Monroe to New Buffalo. will cross the river at
this place, and that here will be made an impor.
tant point. Ifso, this will be the greatest city
ofwestern Michigan. 1t will be tho making of
it, and it will rise, if the gifts of nature are sec.
onded by the works Of art, for us regards situa-
ton, think it is unrivalled at least in this sec.
ton of country. Enterprise and public spirit,
when properly directed, can accomplish every
thing for place, and upon these must depend
the hopes gifts citizens for prosperity and great
ness. A steamboat is about to be launched at
Constantine for the transaction of business upon
theriver. This village will undoubtedly go a.
head'-wil prospcr--will amount to something
more than the more puff-ball ofspeculation which
single change of the times may hurry into OBJ
security There appears to be somsthing substan-
tal-someth;ng abiding.
About three miles from here is White PIGEON.
situated upon prairie of the same name. What
delightful place is this to behold in summer
A neat little village upon and surrounded by a
broad plain, all glowing with vcgetation-what
more pleasing3 But it is in want of water pow
er and commercial advantages, without which it
cannot become place ofextensive business, hav-
ing nothing to recommend it save the beauty of
its locality, and being upon the great Chicago
road.
What odds much to the landscape scenery of
Michigan, is, that ever and anon is to be seen
small lake amid the shade Of the forest, or afar
off upon the plain. These bodies Of water vary
in size, and to be found in every section of the
state.
Many of the people of the eastern states labor
under great mistake in relation to their breth-
rem of the west. They look upon them as uneiv-
ilzed-shut out from the blessings of social soci-
ty-deprived of the advantages of education, or
any thing else, save those which are incident to
a new and wild country. But it is not SO. The
moral character of the citizens of the west, SO
far as have seen, would lose nothing by COM
parison with those who live in the more favored
regions Of New England. Education too, is con-
sidered of the first importance, and throughout
the whole length and breadth of Michigan, there
is scarce neighborhood where is not to be found
the neat little school house, where the first prin-
cpIes of knowledge are instilled into the youth
full mind-and where is prepared for the business
of life the generation which is just mounting the
stage of action. Education is q favorite with tho
people of this region; and with the ample provis-
ions made by law, its cause will prosper--wiIl be
the brightest ornament of the state. As popu-
lation increases-as the waste lands become ten
anted, SO will the blessings of society increase.
will become more extended, and more generally
felt.
Asyou wished to know something about the
times, prospects, &c. 1 will give you what i have
been able to gather. Here, as well as in every
other section of the union, the arrangement, con-
scquent upon speculation, is felt, but not to that
extent that it is in some places. The specie cir
cular, so much abused by the politicians of the
east has boon one of the best things for the west
and in fact, for the whole country, that could