The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-02-17
kanSas and Minnesota.

Our Territory, Ill the coming Spring emigration, has
but che rival-Kansas. Nebraska is out Of the ques-
ton the most Of Dakota is more desolate with great
waterless, treelcss prairies, than ever was Illinois with
her fertility, and Wisconsin and Iowa have assumed the
position Of old settled States. The ~emigrant will hest
tate between Minnesota and Kansas. The choice should
not long be a matter of doubt. Political and section.
al feelings have given Kansas an importance and a suo-
cess that do not naturally belong to her. The battle
field between the hosts of freedom and slavery, the noise
of the war has attracted crowds to settle in her borders
and take part in the contest. Leaving out this accident
al advantage, she is net the land natural for settlement
by Northern emigrants. She is below that great line
south Of which enterprise and great mental activity do
not go. She is back Of Missouri and Arkansas, and is
subject to those climate influences which deplete men
aud enervate nations. She is on the border of the great
Plains-she is part of the great Plains-those wastes
OF untilGbered, unwatered land whose future is yet u
problem, and whose surface, however much they may
be adapted for a pastoral population, are utterly untitled
to enter into competition with great agricultural com.
munitics. aeT !9!-
She is moreover greatly cursed in the worst Of all in
aictions, I'LL hcnM
We have lately seen a private letter from Topeka
saying emphatically that nearly all Lecompton, Law
renee, Topeka and Kansas City were : down with bilious
and intermittent feversa, We have also seen private let
ters from Ohio, stating that q large emigration from that
State consisting in part Of returned Kansas semigrants,
were preparing to start for Minnesota with the opening
spring. A t.-.. -
The American people may be carried away by excite
ment Tor a:time, but they. cannot be- permanently blind.
ed TO their own interests. Kansas will, undoubtedly,
aside from all political influences, increase in population
and Importance in connie with the whole great West.
Without the emIgrant aid societies, and the political in
serest which sent Northern people there, it would pro-
badly have been peopled by a class similar to the occu-
pants Of lower Missouri and Arkansas, men who don't
recognize fever and ague - a disease but take their
shake as, regularly as they take their brandy and water
men who regard the bowie-knife and revolver more ca
sential Ingredients in American institutions than the
school house and church. Governor Walker just before
leaving Kansas denounced the Southern wing Of the
Democracy, represented in that Territory by such people
az 'sots, rudians and assassins.' The terms are rather
strong but We doubt no, equally descriptive.
The better class of %emigrunts, men of intelligence
and information, when free from excitement, and view
ing things calmly, will seek Il more northern latitude,
and iu Minnesota they will find a rich soil, a health-giy-
ing climate, and at least eight millions Of acres Of un-
pre.empted land, lying ready for them. Our pure "ir
rs as u tonic TO mint and tody, and instead Of sinking
debiiita'cd under the fell influences Of bilious disorders,
our citizens all go forth to their daily tasks with a vigor
and cleainess Of mind that cannot but insure our sue
| cess a. a people and community. ~ - -