New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-12-02
IOWA.

degree Of west longitude (rom Greenwlch,) snf
from 40o 80 to 43o 80 OF north latitude. |! ex-
tends. therefore, about 800 miles IN enc dlrec-
ton. and $50 in the other, and embraces an area
Of "a, OCO square miles. Its climate Is that Of
the finest paris Of PENNSYLVANIA and New York,
and although not one Of the largest States IN
the Union, it probably contains more OF the hrst-
class arabic land, in a healthy climate, than any
other of the United States, and far more than
any other equal section of the globe elsewhere.
Nor is this all. It is bounded on the east IN It's
entire length, by the noble Mississippi and on
the west BY the majestic Missouri, and number
less fine streams flow into one or the other OF
these great rivers from various points ia the
interior: while the Des Moines rises beyond
the northwest corner OF the state, where It's
waters commingle with the branches of the
Missouri cross the State dias0nally, and fall
INTO the Mississippi at its southeast angle
There are ten very considerable streams which
arise in the westerly part of the State, and flow
eastwardly, transversely into the Mississippi
These streams have, universally, rapid currents,
and abound in fne mill-sites; and in two re-
spects they give to the inhabitants OF Iowa
very great advantage over their nelghbors h
Illinois. In the first place, they furnish an
abundance of pure and wholesome water and
in the second, they supply plenty OF motive
power for running saw mills, grlst-mlllS, and
wooen.mls for the manufacture OF yarn and
coarse clothing, which are an lnconceivable
source of comfort and convenience to the new
settler they furnish him with building stuff and
clothing in the first instance, and they enable
him to turn his own spare timber trees and
wood to the best advantage afterward. Whereas,
with the exception of Rock River, and one or
two others, the streams of Illinois are sluggish
and almost stagnant Besides the supply OF
river water, the ram from heaven which falls
upon the undulating surface OF Iowa, percolates
more sandy or grayely soil than that OF Illinois,
and gushes out into innumerabe coPlous springs
cool. clear and wholesome.
IN regard to its pure water and tao frequency
Of its "mill- privileges" 1t seems to me thai
Iowa need not shrink from comparison with
the Middle or Eastern States, and that It has IN
this regard striking superiority over all The
rest of what is called "the Western country"
There arc two great facts In regard to Iowa
which are Of immense importance. Its climate
is universally good and its soil is universally
and unnterruptedly of the finest quality-and
challenge any man to prove the same things 70 be
true in regard to any other equal section OF ter
ritory in the known world. Its Wheat crop Is
believed to be more sure than that OF Illinois ;
and as for Barley, Oats, and Indian Corn, there
is no such thing as fixing any limits TO It's pro-
ductive power Nor is this all-its Coal.helds
are boundlcss-Its Lead-Mmes are mexhaustl-
BILE and its Forests, containing " hte OAK anu
Black Walnut, Maple and White Ash, are the
finest On the world.
" 18th such soil, and climate, such rivers and
other resources, where is the land which can be
named in comparison with the State Of Iowa -
Where is the spot on the earth surface where
all that contributes to the comfort and happiness
of man can be produced III such ease and aOun1-
ance Not one, feariessly answer.
More than thls-Congress, with wise liberal
ity, has made menlhcent donation, IN addition
TO the ordinary grant of 10th section for the
use Of Common Schools, of 100000 ACRES or
LAND, for Educational purposes and the State
has shown It's proper appreciation OF the value
of the gift. by It's ludIclous course III the seiec-
ton and disposal of this great property. The
education OF youth seems 10 have been the first
great object which engaged the attention OF the
first Legislators OF Iowa And IN this regard they
have certainly taken step in advance Of even
most OF the New England States seeing that
they have created public Office, whose lncum
bent is elected 10y the People, and whose whole
time is to be devoted TO the great business Of
Public Instruction, and who is clothed with eX-
tensive powers and responsible and onerous du-
ties The present incumbent is Thomas y. Ben
ton Jr q nephew of the distinguished Senator
Benton, and, so far as have had the opportu
nifty for Judging, lie devotes himself to the duties
Of the Office with careful industry. The last
Biennial Report to the Legislature is nov before
me, and have deduced some interesting iacts
from II which may append 10 this paper The
Roman Catholics have some institutions OF their
own, partly for religious and partly for educa-
uon purpOscs-One of their monastcTles Is estaO-
lished not far from Dubuque and presents quite
an attractive appearance, as you pass over the
great read leading from Dubuque into the lnte-
riOr IL south.westeny dlrocti0n-it Is Trap
pist Monastery. | had an opportunity OF cOnvers-
ing with the Principal few days ago, as passed
down the ryer 10 81 Louis He is q learned
and courteous gentleman, about 80 years old
and very interesting parsonage do not know
how many such establishments there are IN
Iowa; but Il they are numerous and under the
lead OF such accomplished men, they must have
powerful lnilueAce ioI good or tor evil. The
Protestants seem 10 be aware OF the important
+ tc.nng which these efforts OF The Catholics are
/ likely TO have upon the future OF this important
Htdtti ana are stilNIhS 10 couAteIdCt htll Clois -
AT the pleasant little village OF CASCADE, tof III
stance, situated about - miles from Dubuque,
/ and destined TO lie the most l0urshmg town next
I TO 1t, IN o westerly direction. found clergy
man. of the Congregational order, settled ana
/ chiefly paid by the Home Missionary Society,"
tie Is native OF Rockingham County, New
Hampshire | found the reverend gentleman
husily engaged n constructing dwelling house
lie was mol above aiding the mechanics with his
own hands, having Just carted in d load OF lum-
Der and when last him he was driving
tiers.
1t Is not strange that the STATE vi Iowa shsuId
! be the iayonte point toward which the endless
} tlte OF emigration from East TO West nov1nain.
I " lending Nor Is II strange that New England
farmers, especially should pfelor rs gently IN