Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-12-28
Prom the Chicago Dem. Press.
Coming to the West.

Om' advices from the Eastern and n ORTIZ
ern States fully warrant US in saying that
neve before has the spirit of emigration to
the West been SO active as at the present.
time Large as have been the acoessions
to the Western population during the last
twelve months, we have no hesitation in
saying a still greater increase wil take
place during the next year. We hear from
some neighborhoods that nearly one-half
the population are busly engaged in making
preparation for moving, while the other halt
are in a strait betwixt two-whether to stay
or 90. Nor is this movement confined TO
any one rank in society, to any particular
profession or avocation, but all classes and
conditions have felt the quiskening impulse
to partake Of the free life and participate in
the wonderful thrift OF the West. While
larger than unsual number of men skilled
in The mechanic arts are seeking locations
in our thriving cities, soon to become the
seat of large manufacturing industry, it is
true, nevertheless, that by far the greater
proportion Of the prospective accession to
our number win consist of farmers. There
10 much need of both classes, all over the
West, but more especially, in the present
undeveloped condition of the country, are
additions needed TO our agricultural industry.
In former times the stream OF emigration
from East to West flowed only during the
summer months. The journey from beyond
the Allegheny Mountains, when undertaken,
10 was often the case, by teams, required
month. Tor its accomplishment. and by wa.
ter. it as possible only in season OF navi-
CATION. BY these means farmers were COM
PEELED to lose the advantage Of one years
crop, which, added to the necessary expen-
| ses of moving, was matter OF Sufficient
magnitude to hold emigration greatly in
! cheek Our railroads, however, have wrought
/ a complete revolution in this matter. IL Is
now an easy matter to remove Westward
even in the heart Of winter, and many take
advantage ofthis fact, Last winter, for eX-
ample, rarely did train nom the East reach
our city without having among its passen.
| gers several families Of emigrants. During
| the months of December, January and Feb
ruary last, the number of passengers which
left this city on the Chicago and Galena
Road exceeded the number that arrived
over the same thoroughfare by tlsenty-sia
hundred and eiatty-tiree persoas.
This excess OF the Western over the
Eastern movement was positive addition
to the population of the country along the
line of that road. A similar state Of fact;
prevailed upon the other roads leading from
this city, not TO say anything Of the large
accessions to the population of our city
which took place during the same months
The connection CT TIC valley of the Misss
sippi with the Atlantic, by railroad, has
FASTENED, in this way, the complete devel.
opment of the former by more than half-a.
century The New England or New York
farmer may grow his crop this year On the
banks of the Connecticut or Hudson, harvest
and sell it, remove to the West during the
winter, and the summers sun of next year
"ripen unto the harvest his fields ofwavine
grain upon the banks Of the Illinois or Mis-
sissippi Who can wonder that In the en-,
ioyment of facilities like these, the young
and enterprising men of the older States
are seeking by thousands, homes in our
almost boundless and fruitful West