The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-08-22
The Wesi---Iis National Hcart---The Char.
meter of its People.

There is a word, 'great-hearted,' in our
language, which we believed has not yet
travelled across the Atlantic, but which
seems peculiarly applicable to one part
of our country, and that is the West.
The recent consummation Of the annex
alton of Texas, has brought our traces of
popular character which al observer will
mark and ponder over as eminenly illus
trative Of the different sections of our Re-
public.
While the South have received the
news of this union with lively feelings Of
Joy, the North with a steady sobcrncss,
and the East with a calculation of the fu-
lure commercial and manufacturing ad-
vantages of annexing so vast and fertile a
domain as Texas, the West seems TO
break out in the very madness Of joy.
"A new State is the cry which sweeps
across their wide plains and rich valleys.
No fears for the future darken their re-
joicings.-They look upon Annexation
as grand and glorious national measure,
in adding another star to our coniederacy.
The West have certainly room enough
for many more States. 1t contains an
area for our surplus population, FOR hun
dred years to come, and yet, throwing
aside all selfish fears, they rejoice with a
perfect delight over the addition Of a new
and tempting field of emigration. May
we not justly say the 'grcat-hear,ed
West!'
1t is frequently asked, why are the
western people so peculiarly colossal in
their notions of things and the future
prospects of our nation! Docs not this
inspiration spring from their extraordina-
ry country! Their mighty rivers, their
vast sea.lke lakes, their noble and bound
less prairies, and their magnificent for.
ests, afford objects which ill the mind &c
its utmost capacity, and diate the hear
with greatness. TO live in such splen
did country, amid such scenery, expand:
mans views Of everything in the world
1t is sagaciously remarked of the settlers
on the prairies and amid the forests of thu
West-'Coming to this region as they do
early in life, they assimi!ate at once thu
wants and circumstances of the country
Its wild inspiration comes over them
they become bold in speech, and promp
and resolute in action. Here cverythin!
is to be done-schools to be established
governments Instituted, and the very fouu
da,ions of society itself are to be laid, an
all its multiformed frame work fashioned
These things fill their lives with grea
enterprise, perilous risks, and dazzlin
rewards. 10 the truly western man
quiet is worse than death, his quick spi
rit breathes forth in the exclamation
One glorious hour Of crowded life
Is worth an age without name.
1t is to be borne in mind that this
not mere restless and rowing spirit, III
productive, like that of the Arabians {
the East. but is fortunately an improvn
, civi'izing spirit, produclive'of the mo-
| extraordinary progress in all that beaul
, fes and adorns life, or strengthens OF
country. The school.house rises sit
q by side with the earliest cabin, viii
). churches devoted to the service of Il
!. living God tower up, even before the ha
:. DIV pioneers are able to erect comlortab
dwellings for themselves. The bus
). wheel of commerce and manulactur
!, move on with an increasing hum, aid
>. by the steamboat and canal and railwa
. and every other evidence of refined al
=. useful civiliza,ion.-.AiJany Argus.