The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-02-21

The Western Peopic-Their Indifference 10 Tame
and DB'Gnce-Canse Of their Liberalism and
Progrcssion- Tie Position Of Iopa, &C..
From the blrds-eye view of the laws and in
stitnlIons Of this infant member of the Union.
gave you in my last letter, and when now fur
Their add that every officer in the State is cleo
tive, you Will, think, come to the conclusion
that the people oflowa are liberal minded and
progressive. And your conclusion will be
Just one for they are. Go-ahcadatiyencss-
that is an expressive word, whether it has found
place IN the dictionary or not--apprars 10 to,m
one Of the constituent elements Of the a,mos-
phrre of these Western States: and the man who
can for any length Of time il hale the fresh
breezes Of HE Mississippi valley, and not be
come lmbued with pI oppressive and energetic
spirit must be affected with conservatism past
all redemption. Like the prisoner Of Chillon
his limbs are
':--rusted with vile repose.
and he has sunk into state of torpidity from
which nothing can rouse hin.
1t is related oithc celebrated and witty Geo.
Buchanan, that he once stepped out of his study
IN ncrnng-gown and slippers, and. after an alb
scnce OF seven years, returned and told his friends
he had been taking Il stroll So with the people
Of Iowa an| Of the wet generally they axe no
note Cflimc and distance. II is matter Of no
consideration 10 thrm And the man who in
the East would make great nlepaIaIions for.
and DIR nd Il short journey, Will here think moth
ing Ci Jumping into a Sjage-cuarh. or boarding n
boat. with bu, change Of linen 10 a travelling
bag, ani going n lurlNIght's Journey. It's an
every day pcrurrCRue--cne that is no more
thought If thsn eating dinner; and almost any
business man here can tell YOU in what town, or
wat SORT Of It house Mr.. So-and-so lives in, in
the larthcSt-oii corner Of the State, OF even in
ADJOINING States AMI iilherc happens to be no
pulii' Conveyance TO the place Il man wishes to
90, lie hrrs Ct bays a horse and starts of alone
through III" Su!iludus orthc forest AID over the
lrachlrsS praric5. What are obstacles 10 him !
II" can overcome thern. WHAT does he care
VII, Their he has a beaten highway or not 10 guide
him! lie can make Il Path for himself 1t is
this spirit Of invinclblc determination that so
mark"iiy distinguish the Western people; and
this :"mc spirit is infused into all their laws and
Institutions giving them health and strength
They do not cling TO ancient forms and customs
merely because they are ancient; but taking
cool, calm, cOmInOn-SenSc view Of u subject re-
j,ct or a iypr !-nCt because i has been rejected
or adopted bel0re--bnt from its own intrinsic
detects or merits. What are presidents 10 such
people! they respect them, to he sure; but.
instead If blindly following them, r"ht ur
wrong, il they don't square with their notions of
P'oP,''f anu justice, inc? cast mem ny as use
! i'SS runner an Chalk OK" IL ler--more pracu-
cal an! better adapis! 10 the spirit OF the age
and TO the genius ofthr people. Their idea Of
government, Is '" II Is established for the ben
cut pro'ectI"h' ana oeie''c ol tAc governed, and
Whenever II ceases 10 accomplish 'he ems Tor
"h!ch II was aeS'@neu, 'hry tnInN IL 'heir duty
10 amend or ABOLISH IL; ana, win lirm reliance
on t"H capao'"'! oi inc masses 10 govern Them
serves, lhty acl accor"""ly. Inns reckless IN
difference, as conservatism dcnomnates It--this
fearless independence. as we more properly call
II, makes The west what she II, and Is cvcntu-
any 10 enable hcf 10 control thc uesllhleo o! lt@
ha'icn.
The same spirit that animated the ilErm
fathcrs a"ihat"s their chiiiren still. and forces
them ir"in thr Affairs and Hcarth-stunuS Ulthrir
parents iii the older States, 10 srrh wider field
Oh aciioh IN the new. Not wiiln" to live under
form OF government where they consider free
noIh OF ihoH%ht, Of speech, or OF action in The
iraSl Sheltered or restricted, they take up the line
o. march ana leaving the homes OF their chll3-