The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-11-25
The western Fever

We can Bowise reconcile the intelli.
gence that comes to us by letter, with
the statements of newspaper correspon-
dents concerning matters and things as
/ they exist in our western territories.-
We have received much valuable, infor-
nation from the lips of ersonal aequain-
taDces, all Of which goes to conyipce as
that very large proportion of western
enigrants are just beginning to experience
the realities of the undesira BILE condition
in which they find themselves after hav-
ing exercised an unwise faith in the many
ridiculous stories that come to their
knowledge in regard to the rare induce
ments that Kansas and Nebraska held
out to all who desired homes in coun-
try where wealth would flow in upon
them in untold numbers. sa =,
AS nation, we are prone to follow in
the wake of some one of the popular de-
lusions that annually spring up--no one
stops to inquire how or where--aad
but devastation in its track. No one
can doubt that the intense anxiety to
move westward, experienced by the mum.
berless hosts that have wended theirlway
over the trackless deserts that lie beyond
the boundaries of the States, was pro-
duced by the popular, but, as experience
has shown, q most disastrous dslusioD.
The fascinating and beautiful "bubble"
has burst, and hundreds upon hundreds
of families who bade good bye to happy
homes and the graves of their fathers,
and took their departure for the sunny
plains and savage lands Of the :. far dis
tant west" can only see the folly of their
madness wnen, alas, it is too late. They
are disappointed in the soil. climate,
manners ard customs of the country, and
above all they are sadly disappointed in
their lively anticipations of aecumulating
sudden wealth.
g They have exchanged friends for stran-
gers, vine clad cottages for the desert
tent, the sound of church going bell for
the savage's whoop. and sacrificed every
educational, social and religious priyi-
lege they once enjoyed to the Unsuitable
desire that urged them on to become de-
votees at the feet of .'Mammon.n The
fever o speculation that attained such
height is now fast abating,
aud many immigrants, since they hare
come to their sober second senses, find
themselves the owners of farms pur-
chased at prices. which if placed upon
land in this more enlightened and in all
better region of country, would
call forth expressions of wonder aud as
toaishment. It has been no unusual
hing this spring for farming lands in
Kansas and Nebraska to change hands
at the fabulous prices of fifty dollars
per acre, while town lots in some noted
place which had existence on'y on paper,
brought as high as one thousand dollars
per acre Such an unhealthy state Of
affairs could not long exist, and the re.
,ction now taking place promises to en-
,ail misery, ruin and bankruptcy upon
the country. To all who have happy
lomes of their own and can make living
II the States, We would give this advice
stay where you are, let well enough
.loue. The privations and hArdships
Incident to making a settlement in a new
,ountry are alone sufficient to prevent
sensible man from abandoning the ease
md luxury of his firesidei but when the
lark crisis of affairs which now seems to
.hreaten our western territories, looms
Up before US, the picture becomes sad
,ne to contemplate.--EUansvi1s lind