The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-09-14
From the Dubuque (Iowal Miners Daily Express, Sept
The Progress. of Iowa

A few days since we ndied an article on the Prog
ress OF the West" Permit US now to submit a lew 90
seTvailons upon Iowa All remember the CONSERVATION
which the Black Hawk in 1884 spread over the West
and especially in the valley Of the Mississippi At thai
period, the settlements in Iowa We're meaGe in the
IRENE; and such had yenuTed TO make a settlement
on the side Of the Mississippi confined themselves
almost entirely 10 The bank OF the river few log huts
marked the place where write, that of Daven-
port, Burlington, and keokuk while the whole interior
country was vast waste, unnhabited except by The
savage and wild beast Interpolation OF the Territory
could not have exceeded five thousand we had
MERGE no government no schools, no places OF public
worship.
Seventeen years have elapsed since that period. We
have six important cities the river which command
lucrative trade, and people have pioneered 10 the
banks OF the Missouri. We have population of nearly
Two hundred thousand Inhabitants 800 farms under
Icuuvation-are annually sending Oft large quantities OF
surplus produce-enjoy the benefits of admirable com.
mon school sysembehold noble edihces reared 10 the
worship OF Almighty God-have people imbued with a
high degree OF intelligence, industry, and moraity-ae
earnestly awake 10 the advantages and necessity OF local
mpovements-are sought after by the commerce OF both
East and South in The form OF railroads and canals
and enjoy reputation abroad for health of location fer.
liy OF soil, and vast mineral wealth, which is annually
pouring into our capaclous lap thousands OF hardy and
industrious Immigrants.
No State in the West enjoys a more enviabe reputa
ton abroad than the young State OF Iowa, and certainly
no point on the continent of North America is more IA
voraby located to reap the benefits arising from the eX
tensive public improvements now going forward. The
grand idea OF securing western trade seems TO absorb
emporums are driving Their railroads and canals abe
with unexampled activity TO enclrce, possible, this
trade while the southern Gulf States are seriously agita
ting the building OF a railroad along the valley OF the
Mississippi, from the Gulf 10 the West The South has
been sadly unmndtu of western trade and inactive in
adopting the 10 it, while the East has Ia
advantage OF its long season OF sumber, and made
master appeal TO western interest We behold now two
separate lines OF railroad communication from New York
and Boston, connecting with Lake Efe at Buffalo and
Dunklrk-an unbroken chain OF railroad extending
through the interior OF Michigan, from the city oil
Detroit to the Stale line OF lndana-one from Chi
eago 10 Elgin, and numerous canals dvergng from
different points 10 attract the trade of the West
TO the East. Under contract, and with atterng pros
pec of speedy completion, is road from Buffalo to
Dunkirk connecting with the New York and Erie rail-
road, one from Dunkrk 10 Detroit connecting with the
same, and from the eastern line OF Indiana to Chi
cago, which, when completed, will form unbroken
chain from Chicago to New York and Boston. From
Chicago Elgn, distance of thirty miles, the road is
successful operation the contracts Tor the various
lines OF the Central railroad, the main line through the
Interior of the State OF Illinois to Caro- in the South, the
branch Rock island and the northern branch through
to this city, is confidently believed will soon be LEI
The Milwaukee and Mississippi road is already com.
peled some sixty miles, and is making lis way nth ali
practicable despatch TO the Mississippi somewhere the
vicinity of this city With such an irresistible power in
the form OF public Improvements pointing directly u.s.
who is ready say that the future wealth and greatness
Of Iowa of doubtful attainment Five Years will
bring The entire Mississippi valley close proximity
New York and Boston. and will give to young Iowa a
character for prosperity and wealth which, in lis early
settlement, thought OF. Let people view
this subject dlspassionately, and they harbor
doubts the truth of what have stated, to
solemn duty resting upon them 10 lend every effort 10 for
ward our own enterprise in this State.