Litchfield enquirer., 1852-01-15
the Good Old Times
OF which the poets speak,

Ut which the poets speak
I assume that you would like to know
how we progress on the western bank OF
the Father of Waters. Let me say then,
we have glorious Present, and fearful
Fature-fearful in responsibility. Weare
laying the foundations of a mighty State in
this western valley. Itsinfuence ia to tell
upon the welfare Of our common country
and upon the nations Of the earth, Every
sctionsis fraught with the veal or woe OF
the millions who are hereafter to people
this region Would itnot satisfy gear am.
bition friend K to assist in moulding the
destiny of such a coun try as this2 If we
who are here are tru . 10 ourselves and to
our race, what happy future is in reserve
for us! but if motif we prove recreant to
.he highest and nobIest trust that the Gre
ator ever conferred upon man-the work
ofpreparing this garden of the word for
the multitudes who are to inhabit it-llow
sad the reverse! May that kind Provi-
dence which has heretofore watched over
US. direct hi,her the steps of great souls
architects who shall be master. workers in
this living temple.
Our city already numbers between 5000
and 1000 inhabitants, aud seven churches,
viz. one congregationalist, one Presbyterian,
one Baptist, two Methodist, one Lutheran
and one Cumberland Preshyterian-all of
which have been built since my residence
here. Last though not least, we have just
completed beautiful two story build ing.
go feet by IS, for Public School House,
at an expense of $500. The money was
raised by voluntary assessment upon prop
erty. The building stands on the highest
ground in our city, and aside from comman-
ding an extensive prospect, it is the fret
object that will meet the eye of the traveller
as he steams his way up and down the
Mississippi. Our city is built upon two
hills which rise some two hundred feet
above the river. In addition to the school
edi6ee already mentioned, similar build.
ing is to be erected next summer on the
other height
It is a fine December morning, and many
OF our citizens have left for Mt Pleasant, a
town thirty miles 10 the interior. to cele-
brate the completion of the Plank Road to
that place Ii 10 the first work cf internal
improvement which has been flushed west
ofthe Mississippi. We have already sub
scribed ia our corporate and individual ca
pacity. the ronnd sum Of $45O.O0O for
works ofthis kind. We have commenced
railroad to Peoria. Illinois. to intersect the
great Eastern and Central Roads. II 10 to
be ninety miles in length, and will be com.
pleted in two years. We shall then be
able to reach New York in five days.
- to. poetry-such is the wild. intense,
Extensive activity Of the western mind,
that il steps over the old fashioned bounds OF
pr6gress. There 10 enough ,ranspires every
A9fay in this weste IN valley to afford materiA.
for an epic. The vastness Of our prairies, the
extent Of our rivers and lakes, will yet devel-
one minds of the most elevated and lofty
stamp, softened by all that is beautiful and
refining in nature Who will doubt for .
moment but that the MUSES. will take up their
abode in these western realms. and not only
give inspirationio our bards, but be themselves
inspired by the long, deep, solemn roll Of our
rivers, and the majestic pillows Of wild flowers
that rise and fall ON our summer prairies.
Before closing wish 10 say. that persons
leaving Connecticut and settling in this state,
do not come into 4 land Of entire barbarlsn,