The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-05-21

The WESTERN MANIA. Whoever perusss the
papers of the West and certain class" Of irrespon-
sible city penny papers, cannot avoid the concu-
sion that efforts like those noticeable three four
years since, from the same sources, are making and
to be made, to fan into life another western land
excitenent---to create restless and feverish dis
content among the citizens of the old States, with
their own happy and enviable homes, and TO 'Rrn
their eyes TO the imaginary Ell Dorado towards The
setting sun. To this end, descriptions, vivid as
imagination paint, are written and published
The fancy of the reader is tickled-the ruling pas
sions OF avagjce and for ease are appealed to-maPs
of embryo cities and locations for shire towns and
situations great in the future, scattered abroad;
and to those who know not that they are reading
fction-msre fairy tales-and looking upon fancy
sketches only-doubiess the West appears Sec
ond Eden Such attempts, from whatever source
they may com o, should be frowned upon by those
who have no interest in western land specu ations,
or who do not desire to New England depopu'
lated real estate deprecated, and the permanency
of our local institutions imparedfor to these ends
such things ultimately tend, if our citizens consent
TO be deluded by them to emigrate to the West
But from whence come these glowing, fanciful
descriptions? Why from companies of spectators
in land, residing in cities and at the West-men
who have monopolized the public domain, includ-
ing members of Congress, defaulting land agents,
and desperate gamblers, who have left more honest
employments to get living by their wits, in.dup'ng
the unwary and credulous A ten dollar bank note
brochures the publication of fancy description OF
a tract of country in Iowa, Michigan, or some 9TH
or place, owned by CERTAIN company-for while
this very spot is the most important of any other,
at least till il is disposed of, and another tract is
brought into when in turn, that is 10 be the
important town in the State
The people of the East have learned some of
these tricks; and there are many at the West who
have learned them by sad experience, now signing
for the comforts and privileges Of their former
homes in the land OF the pilgrims. They feel that
the home of their fathers is the best of all others,
and would gladly return to it if they possessed the
MEANS as many have done, to enjoy its privileges.
They now think, and think truly that contentment
with industry and moderate economy, will bring
reasonable share of this worlds goods, and all
that is desirable for the enjoyment of life, in that
country from which they have fed.
! Why should Vermonters wish to leave the Green
Mountain land, We have land in abundance, if
it is that they seek-iand too, if properly Guilt
vated in ten years, will make the owners as rich on
an average, as they,woud be in the same time in the
newly settled regions Of the West. There is land
sufficient of this sort in Orleans County, for 500
farmers; indeed it can be found in most any other
County in the State. Our old lands need only q
higher degree of cultivation to support double the
present population, and to yield double the present
net income to the cultivator. In addition we
have our schools, churches, and other privileg
es, for the moral and intellectual improvement o.
the people, such not found in the West.
1t is difficult TO suppress the indignation whict
we feel on witnessing these attempts to excite anew
the western fever by the holding out of false anc
delusve coiors the part of interested persons
To be sure, q man is fortunate occasionally al
to amass a fortune suddenly at the West-so doe
the gambler; but where wins the prize dozer
are shorn of their possessions, not bettered by
the hazard If one is fortunate, as in the o
the highest prize drawer in lottery, it is trumpet
ed through the land; but to those who fail o
getting rich, and moiely move along without gain
we seldom hear their names mentioned. Thei
own disappointment shrouds their fate in silence
Industry, economy and sobriety, will make an
man of common shrewdness, rich here. IF he ha