Nebraska advertiser., 1858-09-02
For the Advertiser.l
Nebraska SkPtcheS-NO. 1.

~
Nh. Enron:
Having lately had occasion TO travel
considerably over the settled portion Of
Southern Nebraska, l improved the op-
portunity It afforded Of Observing the
character, condition and prospects of the
settlers, and have thought that perhapsa
few observations Of this kind, that l have
noted, would serve to fill a vacant corner
IN your valuable paper. Let me remark,
however, by way Of preface, that l have
no intention Of intimating aught that can
reflect the least discredit upon any person.
| have noted no circumstance that can be
construed into satire or ridicule. l am
not much Of q humorist, and trust that l
am not so ungrateful as to adopt the
course sometimes pursued by newspaper
correspondents, who seem to think they
are at liberty to make the most of what
ever seems in any wise peculiar or ludi-
crous in others, and too full of spleen or
prejudice to be genial in their humor, I'M
Willingly, perhaps, lampoon those who
have shown them favor.
Considering the many u~nfavorable cir
cums,ances that have attended the settle
ment of this Territory, it ought to be a
matter Of encouragement to those of US
who are complaining Of hard times, ague,s
fits, land sales, taxes, debts, and all the
other subjects of melancholy hat are in
cident to dog days, and a democratic
administration" that Nebraska has a
people equal at least in character, intel
Iigence and enterprise to any that has
ever settled on the public domain. Ne
braska owes nothing Of her prosperity to
patronage or favor. No events has hap
pened in her history sufficient even to at
tract the notice, either Of government or
her neighboring States, and, being hap
PLY free, those Affections and misfortunes.
which have called forth so much svmpa-
thy and zeal in behalf of her more pros
porous sister; her settlements have been
made and her towns, so far as they have
made any permanent advance, have been
built by men who have traversed the dis
lance Of a thousand miles beyond the
borders Of civilization, in search Of a land
whose Astounding wealth and fertility
promised them a glad and prosperous
home. Men who can ch~eerfully turn
their faces from the social enjoyments of
the old States, and, in the hope of impro-
wing their condition, have successfully
encountered the difficulties Of emigration,
and patiently endured the priyations and
hardships of a pioneer life, at this dis
lance beyond the border, however unfOr-
tunate they may have been in some res
poets, certainly merit regard for their
energy and self-reIiance.
The present, however, IS by no means
a favorable time to form an opinion Of the
character and disposition Of our people.
Whoever makes their acquaintance will
not be likely to have a correct idea Of
their character. Instead Of that cheerful
contentment, active industry, genial and
frank disposition, traits for which the
western settlers are noted, and which
Nebraskians possess in an eminent de.
gree, Will now be manifested a captious
and complaining disposition; negligence
carelessness and rudeness Will now be
observed, where at any other time would
have been seen the evidences of thrift
industry, generous and cheerful hospital.
". No careful observer can fail to no.
tice that there has been an e~ssentia.
change in the feelings and disposition Of
/ the people Of this Territory within the
T past SIX months. There IS plainly indi.
: Gated ID their manners and ~countenance:
5 the appearance Of disappointment, ankle.
: II. and ~burdensome care and it is no
: difficult 10 find a sufficient cause for al
this. The hard times have bourne hea.
5 Why upon them. No community Of the
J country have been so seriously affected
, by the pressure Of the times as have the
: people Of this Territory. Many and per
haPs a greater portion Of the settlers VIII
came here, during the pas, two years, il