The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-01
FROM THE FAR WEST.
SOUTHERN Iowa. ,SeDfenber.

SOUTHERN Iowa, September, 1855.
1t is barely three months since we parted
and yet it seems to me a much longer time
for, bear in mind that have not all the time.
killing appliances which are available to your
self. Around you is the perpetual hum Of az
gregate Yankeedom in the modern Athens
around me is the petty hustle of Western vii.
lage-a mere bantling yet-which is scarcely
loud enough to drown the murmur of a sum
merdevoured river, which goes on by its doors
forever TO the sea. You come daily in contact
with mind, towards which your own rises and
expands, and with activity, which makes your
blood a torrent, when it is but sluggish
stream. / find here common sense and some
intellect, but not in its greatness; and a hum
drum rattle of awkward country vehicles over
uneven streets, day after day, unchangeably
the same. Then there Is difference between
us of space. News from your metropolis comes
to us in the short interval of one week-not
always 80 soon-for the electric newsmongers
have not thrust their outposts yet so far into
the wilderness. Should all the modern Athe-
mans be suddenly ingulfed, with their ismatic
city, you would have the tardy consolation of
our tears, shed over your untimely fate, from
seven to ten days afterward The literary
world can scarcely be said to extend its iniIu-
ence over us. A hogshead of sugar has
more exciting interest than the last novel, and
box Of tobacco is thought 20 possess more
refining and improving influence THAI. all the
poems ever published. Practical talent is our
deity, and Mr.. Gradgrind, the man of facts, is
the leading person in our community. | would
say, however, exceptionally, if Sissy Jupe were
here, she could enjoy the pleasure of On occa-
sional circus, without shocking the Western
notions of propriety in the least
Rut vet our VILLAGE and VICINITY have sop,o
saving features. 1t (the village) lies on the
river Des Moines, away back in the interior of
Iowa; and, in the purity Of your Puritan heart.
you might imagine, away from all the vice and
irregularities of the large cities East. The
river-apd 1t may be called La Belle Riy.
iere"-yes, La Belle Riviere Des Moines-has.
it must have, as you see by the name, some 70.
nance in its old traditions. But, alas its
early history Of selfdenial exists no longer.
No chronicler was found to send record of
unobtrusve merit down to our needless ears
Its monks and monkery have passed away
but in their place has come civilization. which
shall hew down and build up; whose poetry
shall be action, and whose religion shall have
this motto, "Put money in thy pocketIr Our
village lies upon the face of the bluff, and the
narrow level between the bluff aud river. We
have the urban dignity Of streets, extending
back numerically from the river bank, and we
have the prospective dignity of "hotel," which
looms up In three-story grandeur or our princi
pal thoroughtare. We have not yet anything in
the way OF architecture which would do credit
to SIr Christopher Wren but when -four, and
coffee, and tobacco, are shorn of their kingly au-
thorlty, then something may be hoped for taste
Our buildings are of various responsibility
We have the modest, one,roomed cabin, which