The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1855-12-18
Editorial Correspondence. !
BELoIT, Wis. Dec.

1t never rains but II ponrs," was doubt
less the remark of some petulant person to
whom the rains of Heaven were quite an
moving rs they happen to be 10 me just now.
Here among friends whose pleasant faces /
have not seen for near two years, with an
anxiety to sscirculates among them and renew
old friendships, and enjoy the society Of
those whose presence cheered and eomforted
me in years agone, | had hardly rested my
self and prepared to call upon them yesterday
before the heavens opened and let their treas
ures down upon the earth with more utter
recklessness than was agreeable to me. who
could make better use Of solid ground than
Of bed of mortar. But an old adage |
heard In boyhood rain before seven and
shine before eleven, came TO NV relief,
though only to disappoint me, for the sun of
yesterday waxed and waned behind curtain
Of clouds, and TO- day dawns upon me somhre
and hazy, with rain in torrents combining me
70 my hotel, and taxing my patience sorely.
However, since the world began al rains
have had an end, and have, therefore, some
confidence that this will terminate eventually.
though present indications are not very Ca
vorable TO such faith
Beloit is a beautiful and a thriving town.
For SIX years it was my home. came to
Wisconsin N lS4s, when the town was small,
the county, (Rock, though one of the oldest
IN the State, sparsely settled, and the State
itself almost destitute of population, com
pared with what it is now. When | reflect
upon what Wisconsin. and all this region,
was, at that time, and what il il now. it
seems incredible that such progress should
have been achieved in so short space Of
time. This town had 500 people now it
has near 5000. Rock county had 1900
people now about 35 900. Wisconsin had
was not foot of railroad or plank road west
of Michigan. All communication between
the interior of Wisconsin and the Lake ports
was by wagon on common roads, at great ex-
pense Of time and money The revolution
that has been made by railroads in every de-
partment of business, is astonishing. Wheat
had an average of about two-hfths Of its
value taken from il in transporting it from
this point to the lake shore. Then winter
wheat was worth so cents per bushe, IN
trade; now il is quick at 81 25 in cash.
Pork was worth 81 SO to s. so; now it com
mands SIS so. Corn was worth Is cents. and
now brings IS. And every thing else in pro
portion. Then there was no cash in the
country. and now it is abundant. Then the
farmers were all embarrassed for the original
entries were nude for them by spectators at
two or three times government price and ri
3 to SO per cent interest, and while debts
had accumulated and produce was almost
worthless, they were becoming entangled al
most beyond the possibility Of extrication.-
Now they are flush and independent, making
money by high prices and the Improvement Of
their lands. Railroads have penetrated the
interior to most Of the important towns
Manufactures have sprung up, which both
supply. the local demand for the wares they
furnish, and provide home market to com
pete with the foreign and consume many
profitable products which could not be trans
ported 10 Il distance. i ne eastern markets
themselves have been brought nearer The
time and expense Of locomotion have been
reduced many times. And a country here
abouts then almost in o state Of nature, 10
say the least, IN very primitive condition,
has been subjugated TO the uses aud enjoy
ment Of an enlightened, prosperous, and hap
py community. And all this in so very few
years. il seems incredible to me, for mere
than we dreamed Of then for ten years de-
Telopment, has transpired since ls4s, and
still the march and the watehword is. On
ward .
But still when good Bishop Berkeley said
the star Of empire taking its way west
ward, even the Mississippi could not have
been the limit of prophecy, for emigration is
crossing that mystic stream, and still the
lace If the wanlerer Is turned towards the
setting sun.
From o4o 10 1853 Wisconsin improved
faster than Iowa Her progress was incred
ibe, almost unparalleled And she j. still
Improving rapidly. But now Iowa i gain
ing IN the ratio, and growing far the most
rapidly People camc from the East 70 Wis
cousin; and they still come, in lcssened num-
bers; but people 60 from Wisconsin to Iowa
% numeronsiy as they ever came from the
East TO Wisconsin; ana while Wisconsin has
gained 305, 900 in the last FIVE wears. sun.
pose Iowa has gained full 100000 III the las,
two years. feel gratifed at the progress Of
Wisconsin; | rejoice with her, and feel proud