American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-07-11
From the IPinchestcr Republican.
LETTER FROM TIE WEST.
CHICAGo, ILLINOIS, June 10, '57.

a CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, June 10, '57.
Mr. EDITOR: Thinking few lines
from an old citizen would be of some
interest to the many readers Of your
valuable paper, and of some benefit to
those who have been taken with the
. "Western fever" l have improved a
few leisure moments by giving what ]
believe to be true statement.
1t is very difficult matter for any
ono who has been in this country but a
short time 20 arrive at anything like a
true state of affairs. The population
is so shifting, the prospects of any par
ticular locality so uncertain, that what
to-day looks prosperous and hattering
will upon the morrow blast the high
hopes of many an expectant million
aire. Towns arc laid out, and imme-
diately you will see houses going up
IN every direction; its gctters up and
those interested will at once cast the
joyful news to the "four winds" that
now the spot is found which has all the
requisite advantages to build up the
"great city of the West" But, alas
for human hopes, in a short time rival
town will be projected; has great ad-
vantages over all other places, some
stream, or its nearness to timber, its
being easy of access, or on the main
route to this or that place--all or any
OF these reasons are sufficient to give is
importance in the eyes of those whose
watchfulnoss is kept continually On the
alert for the most eligible place for To-
eating or specializing. There are sew
'eral classes Of persons who are liable
to be misled by the exaggerated state
ments circulated by not only the secu-
lar but | am sorry to say it the reli.
gious papers of the West. ....
First, the laboring man who has 70
toll hard and continually for the sup
port of himself and his family, ina
gines that if he can only get to some
favored spot he had heard of, then his
'labors would have az end" and he
could lay down the "shoycl ard the
hoe;' but if he should be 50 unfortu-
nate as to get there, the hardships he
underwent in the old States, will be
dwoltupon with pleasure in comparison.
Provisions are very high, house-rents
are frightful, and the price of work not
at all in proportion. If he is a mech
anic, he will come into competition
with people of all nations, who will
work for less than he can afford
Second, the young man who becomes
dissatisfied with what he calls ''hum-
drum life" and a small, pitiful sala-
ry," hears Of some young man, an old
acquaintance who left for the far West
and is now getting, it may be, one or
Two thousand dollars salary. Without
stopping to investigate or consider, he
bids farewell to the friends of his
you'll, 20 seek fortune among stran-
gers. With nigh hopes, and bright an
ticipations, he lands in ore Of the 60
ahead towns of the West; but after a
fruitless search, and the stere otyped
reply "we are not in want of young
nan," he will return to his lodgings
'heart-sick," and "home-sick." lie
will then think his snug quarters and
small salary not so paltry an affair as
he Imagined. And even if he does suc'
eeed IN getting employment, he must
begin where he did years before, and
what sounded at home large salary,
dwlndles into insigniicance after his
board bill and other necessary cxpen-
ses are paid. Then, again, lie is from
under the direction and influence of
friends, thrown among those who hold
lightly the precepts of the Bible, and
look upon the doctrine thereof as n
'cunningly devised fable"
There are ten chances to one that he
will make shipwreck, not only Of re.
ligion, but all moral honesty and intea.
rity. Some may think ! cxaggcrato,
but for the truth Of my statement ap.
peal to the hundreds, yea thousands Of
= young men wandering through all partc
of the West out of employment, mon.
ey, and energy.
There is TO be reaction through the
whole West that will be felt in every
part of the Union Eastern capital is
flowing in by the million, seeking in.
vostment in property at high figures.
or being loaned to spectators at from
two to six per cent. % month with what
is considered undoubtcd real estate sc.
tate security. The result will be that
hs lend sill revert TO the loaners