The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1854-02-15
Gbe a}'rrIdq Grprfss,
BY WEI. H. MERRITT.
'EDNEsDAY MORNING, FEB. Is 1854
EMIGRATION TO THE WEST

WEDNESDAY MORNING, FEB. Is 1854.
| EMIGRATION TO THE WEST
! 1t seems to be the general opin on that Spring
| is to open with largely increased emigration
to the West, and especially to this portion of
the West. From the general inquiry and de-
sire for information concerning the West, we
are inclined to tall in with this opinion 1t
needs but that the West should be knawn to be
appreciated, and the only reason that IT has no,
settled faster than it has, is the almost universal
Ignorance Of people in the older states, of its
geography, topography, fertility, beauty, health
of climate and vast mineral resources. Every
western man, who has travelled through the o!d.
er settled states, and has been at all observant,
must have noticed the lamentabie absence of
any minute knowledge of the west a,nong intel
ligent persons of the East and South Hun
dreds OF them are so entirely destitute Of infor-
nation IN this respect, that they cannot tell you
the prominent towns, and in sous instances even
the states, that border On the M ississpp the
greatest inland thoroughfare on the continent,
while they Will discourse most fiuently and in
telligently of foreign countries and courts,
and the habits, manners and customs of the
people. 1t has often occurred to US, that there
was mistaken economy IN this, and that the
large amount OF money and time spent in for
elgn coun,ries, might be more jadiciously in
vested in acquiring more intimate knowledge
OF our own country and those countries border
ing upon it. We have every variety Of climate,
soil and productions and almost as great a vari
ETY. of people, whose manners and customs wide
y differ, in which the tourist might find pleasure
and TO which he might apply his powers with
profit and satisfaction. A broad and fruitful
field is open to him here in the West, VIII re
there is incident and romance enough, Of an
amusing and startling character, TO make up vol
pmes; and yet who has felt sufficient interest
in the subject, 10 dedicate TO the country an ap
propriats ly conceived and well wrought volume
True, we have newspapers in abundance and
claims Of their respective localities to public
favor but information communicated through
this channel, is generally received as ii should
be, with many grains of allowance. The love
of home, whether native or adopted, the anxiety
for settlement and the fierce rivalry which per-
vades all new countries, is well calculated to
excite doubts as 10 the correctness of all con
tained IN the news papers. Althouy h the news
papers have done great deal and are doing
great deal to promote settlement in the country,
4 10, ko "a
ducc that deep and general nteres, in the
West, which its merits so loudly call for. Would
some popular author, whose mind could drink
in li.the richness, lovellness and wildness OF
,cct the advantages and grasp the vast resources
Of This broad ana fertile region, whose imagina
ton could profit by the novel and romantic IN
cidents peculiar to a pioneer life and who poss-
essed the confidence of The people, turn his
attention to The production of a complete and
accurate history of the West, he would do the
country an infinite service and find an ample re-
ward for his labors, in the universal popularity
which such work would speedily acquire
But in the absence of this, we must look at things
mand to the best possible advantage.
That two y,ars has wrought wonderful
change in tbs tar West, none Will d+Ev aud
that two years more will produce stiIl create
change, is rational deduction The com.
mencement and partial completion of an extern
sive system of public improvements, has ex
cit ID interest in The older states and given
impetus to the West, which none can fail to
observe and which mus, be felt in the rapidly
increasing settlement, production and wealth Of
the country The almost entire completion the
present year, Of tie extensive system of rail
roads in Illinois and especially the completion
of the road from Chicago to this point, b. the
FIRST of June next, must inevitably produce
largely increased emigration to this state and
particularly to this portion Of the state. In
view of this fact, it will be well if we in the
City, and in the country, a:e prepared to take
advantage of the benefits which will naturally
and irresistaby flow in such channel. We
have much to do here. We want more dwell.
ings and business houses in the City we want
better steam boat facilities for the Upper and
Lower trade we want more vigorous dem
onstration made upon the Harbor; additional
police regulations little more moderation in
she amount of rents asked more ready and
wiling disposition to give information to the
straager; and better Highways leading to the
counxy. These are some Of the wants which,
when supplied, viii insure US a full and ample
measureof reward.
Let us Ae prepared for the campaign, when
Spring opess.