The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-02-25

GA quarter OF century ago and the name
Of Iowa ives unknown, only IN the dialect of
the Indian. Its beautiful prairies and shaded
forests knew no human tenants but the sava-
ges. Its rivers resounded only with the noise
1T their own dashings, save the occasional
padding of the abor,ginee Its mineral re
ources rested undistnroed in the earth, I'M
known. unwished for. The breeze of gum
ner as it rus.led over thousand prairies,
gathering the perfumes of natures own gar
dens, famed only the rough cheek Of the In
dian, and be alone enjoyed its fragrance, or
was exhilerated by its buoyancy. Secure and
happy, he built his wigwam, pursued and cap
tured the elk and buffalo, sat at the council
fire, or followed the war path. The pale
face, whose energies, since the discovery of
this continent, have ever been at war with his
race, had not intruded upon his ample hunt
ing grounds to excite his distIust or arouse
his hatred.
ss3at now what different scene. The or
ward and restles. march Of civilization, leap
ed the waters Of the Mississippi, and penetra-
ting into every part Of the country has wro't
wonderful and stupendous change. The
abode Of the red man. and the lair Of wild
beasts, have become homes for thousands Of
indomitabie Anglo Americans. The rich mold
of unnumbeied autumns have been laid open
to the sun, and harvest fields and orchards
Yield their abundant products to the industri-
Gus husbandmsn. The wigwam Of the Indisn
is gone, but in its stead il the farmhouse.
The mill and the mannfactorv CHATTER on the
bank of every river, and the locomotive whist
les as it crosses the once trackless prairies.
Ci,ies have arisen as IL bv magic, like palaces
built by the wonderful lamp OF Aladdin, and
thriving villages cluster round them, As plan
cts gather around the sun.
eThe change is rapid and unparalleled, but
not nnaccountable. Its readily explained by
those familiar with the State. The key to It
is found in the thousand advantages Iowa pre-
SCENTS to settlers, which exist no where else in
such h,ppy combination. and among the
strongest OF these attractions is the magic Of
.he word prairie. People have finally begun
to learn that twenty-five or thirty years hard
labor expended in ssclearing FARM is by no
means the cheapest plan, nor is it At all neces-
sary, as nature has farms all ready for the
plow-share. Among the rest, New Englsnd-
ers are growing tired Of rocks, and sleeps ard
barren soil. Their eyes are being opened to
the unmitigaied fact that the sterile hill-sides
Of their region can scarcely support sheep
without sharpening their noses and elongating
their teeth. They look longingly towards the
West, as il that was the Egypt to save from
famine; and many have already emigrated to q
more generous land. In the over crowded
cities and t,wns Of States not 90 distant, there
are many farmers, mechanics and tradesmen,
preparing to follow TO the West their friends
already there, thus finding happy escape
from the prospect Of lifelong poverty and
dependence. To 20 West should mean to
Iowa, for it needs only to be faithfully des-
cribed to be universally attractive. Other
States and Territories have their disadvanta-
ges, but among the new States, Iowa stands
pre-eminent, creditable In its past, great in Its
present, and glorious in its future.-Des Moin-
o. yourn1f