The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-08-08
NUMBER -.

over the whole expanse of our vast con-
tment. The Rocky Mountains have wit
messed lt--no spot has been left untrod-
no nook, however sequestered. unex-
plored. Gorgeous cities have risen in
desert places; and where few short wears
since the haunts of wild beasts and the
willy savage alone could be found, NAV
now be seen cultivated fields and fine
farms. Truly has the wilderness and soil
tary place become glad, and the desert
been made to rejoice and blossom like the
rose. No longer does the hardy settler
start from his midnight slumbers at hear.
ing the shrill sound of the Indian war
whoop, and wake to find his dwelling EN-.
clrcled by the devouring flames his
wife and children cruelty murdered before
his eyes;--no longer does he rush from
the thickening horrors, the dangers by
which he is enveloped, to meet perhaps
a more cruel fate at the stake of his can
tors, than the death which seemed to him
inevitable. No, all is happiness and in
dustry. He goes TO his rest at night.
with certainty of protection from Just
laws, convinced that his life and property
are safe under the protection of wise gov
eminent and equal laws, which he him.
self has assisted in forming; and this alone
is to be attributed to the feeling of indie.
pendence and freedom which we enjoy.
Our armies have ever been successful
in war Our navy has covered itself
with imperishable glory; and in peace the
most barren wastes and rugged places, by
the industry of hardy yeomanry, have
become cultivated fields, teeming with the
luxuriance Of the crops they bear: The
sun shines
"O'er wales that teen with fruits. Romantic hills.
Whcreon to gaze the heart with joyancc fills
| 1t is goodly sight to see
what Heaven hath done for this delicious land;
What fruits of fragrance blush on every tree:
what goodiy prospects DER The hills expand"
Manufacturing establishments have sprung
up in all parts of our land. American
skill hath clothed US in the most costly
fabrics Of our own manufacture; and the
extensive rail roads and magnificent ca
nails, will remain lasting monuments of the
enterprise and activity Of the Americat,
people.
But orr own darling West ought not to
be passed over without giving utterance
to the thoughts which must arise in the
mind Of every dweller in it, when ne
hears it mentioned. And our own State,
our much believed Illinois, the Giant of
the West, intrudes itself more especially
on our observations. We have a climate
unsurpassed for beauty in the world-a
soil OF unequalled fertility. No state in
the Union can boast of possessing finer
land; or in the same number of acres of
territory, as much land which can be
brought under cultivation. But a few
years back, and the broad and boundless
Pralnes, which the eye aches with gazing
on, were tenanted alone by the herds of
Buffalo, which formerly roamed over
them. The richness Of the soil, and the
beautiful aspect and apparent natural adj
vantages of the country, induced a few in
dlylduals TO emigrate, and the number of
inhabitants has now sweled TO over half
million
The most striking features of our state.
are the boundless Prairies, stretching a.
away on every side far as the eve can
reach, and covered with the most luxu.
RANT yerdure.
These are the gardens of the desert, These
he unshorn fields, boundless and beautiful.
And fresh as the young earth ere man had sinned.
The Praires behold them for the first,
And my heart swels, while the dilated sgh,
axes IN the encrcliny vastness. Lo! they stretch
In airy fluctuations far away,
ASA the ocean, in his gentes, swell,
stood still, with oil mis- rounded pillows freed
And montionless forever. Mo,ionlessl
No! they're all unclaimed again. The clouds
Sweep over with their shadows, aud beneath
The surface rolls and fuctua,es to the eve:
Dark ho!lows seem to glide along, and chase
, The sunny ridges"
It is country Which the pen cannot de-
scribe. The naked truth can convey no
idea Of its beauty /, must be seen to be
appreciated,
Who, with feeling Of patriotism in his
heart can view our country-its rising
graaness--its immense natural advanta-
; ges and boundless resources, without
feeling noble pride in being the citizen
OF such country, and an anxious solicit
'ude to preserve uncon,aminated the
genius Of our free institutions; and on this
day - the natal morn of counry's free
dom, are we not called upon especially to
rejoice, and re-echo from shore to shore