Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1856-12-13
OUR

W There is no one thing which 80 distin.
cuisines American communities from those Of
any other nation, as their prediction for, and
support Of. q local press. While in England,
outside of the largest towns, there is seldom n
Journal seen or thought of, except the " Times
for the privilege Of q shor. perusal Of which,
those who are news thirsty pay daily a sum
larger than the daily subscription price of our
best journals, in this country every community
has its own local journal-the exponent Of it's
advantages, the promoter Of its interests, and
the medium of intelligence between it and the
outer world. In the west this is particularly
40, and it is so because the large mass of the
people Of this region are persons of intelli.
gence and practical Judgment. They have seen
in their old homes in the East the conveniences
the advantages, and the benefits of a local press,
and for their own interests sake feel bound to
establish and support il. Not only has the
press been the companion Of the emigant west
ward, but in many cases it has been the pioneer
in the march Of that improved civilization which
has extended itself so rapidly over our p~rairies.
In many instances the press has been set up un-
derthe shelter of a rugged oak or stately hickory,
and its intelligences scattered far and wide be-
fore the log hut or cabin which was to be its
home, had been framed. And will any one de-
ny that it has been one Of the great levers which
has raised the West to its present forward and
promising position 7 Does any one believe that
q knowledge of our undeveloped resources, and
the consequent influx Of emigration hitherward,
would have been ut all commensurate with the
actual fact, had it not been for the reports Of the
local presss And what community that has
such nm organ but can trace to its influence
much OF its success, much of its intelligence
upholding and upheld by it. Where resources
are to he unfolded, it d~iscloses them. Where
fraud and peculation exists, it exposes them.
Where improvements are wanted, it makes them
known, and stands an Argus-eyed guardian
over the peoples interests.
Such e deem the advantages and the Office
Of a local press. If well and properly conduct
ed, it appeals to the best interests of every man
within the circle Of its influence, for support.
Such an appeal we make to-day to the citi-
zens of Buchanan county. The typographical
appearance of our sheet, we are sure, will COM
pare favorably with that Of any in the State,
and the editorial department. We hope, will be
no less pleasing. The arrangements we have
made, (but which for this number were not
available) will give our readers Eastern news
and market reports considerably in advance of
the mail, and the contributions which we have
;sv.isd. and d R RfsF issi, viii %a III rMa tsas,a af
ian Of moro than ordinary value to the citizens
Of this and adjacent counties. We freely throw
open our columns for the communication and
discussion Of all matters Of interest /; and we
particularly invite our lady readers. who are
adopts in the culinary art. and the many intel
ligent and practical farmers who reside among
us, and who have. by experiment, gained know
ledge practical and useful in their avocations,
TO make our department Of The House and
Farm" as near as may be an original one. Let
any farmer. finding himself in want of infor-
nation upon any point. make inquiry of his
brother armers, through our columns, and we
fesl assured that this department of our paper
would soon become of much more interest and
profit to them than we could make it by selec-
fions.
We hope, too. that some of our earlier settlers
will give us n few historical reminiscences in
connection with the first settlement of this part
Of the country-of the time when the Indian
and buffalo wandered alike free and untamed
over our rich p~rairies, and the voice and the foot
fall of the venturesome pioneer or trader was
the only sound Of civilization. We know there
are some in our neighborhood who have heard
the story Of the pioneer, and can even claim the
title themselves. and could, if they will. furnish
US matter Of much interest, If not of historical
importance.