The Kanzas news., 1858-10-30
settlement of Kansas--How it has

S2fL42m6nS
Worked.
The settlement of the Territory OF Kan
sas has demonstrated one important fact,
which is. that prejudice can present no bar
rier to the laws of trade and etnigratiohs-
In the fierce war Of political opinion, With
which Kansas was opened to settlement,
persons and newspapers sought to avail
themselves of the existing excitement, to
draw emigration and trade from Southern
TO Northern, Western and Central Kansas.
For time, this succeeded, as they fondly
supposed; but with the return of quiet,
the tide changed, and all parties now find
that they have gone back to their Legitimate
position, while many are to-day retrogra-
ding instead of advancing. as they might
have done, had they pursued the policy
plainly indicated by the laws of trade
While the towns of the Kansas Valley fol-
lowed the channel of that valley for their
trade and travel, they secured the largest
per cent. of emigration. But when their
Journals and leading men went north forty
miles for a river port, they lost the prestige,
which, until that period. they had enjoyed.
Two years ago. Franklin, Lawrence, Tope-
lks, Manhattan, and other towns In the Kan
sas Valley, had the advantage over all 9TH
Ter localities, but they are now secondary to
tOsawatomie, Fort Scott, Emporia, Olathe,
and the towns of Southern Kansas.
Why is this? Simply because all the
central emigration at first took the Kansas
Valley route. and necessarily touched at al
the towns berween the river and its desti-
nation. It was legitimate and healthy
stream, and fertilized the entire country
through which it passed. Then. all the en-
igration to Tecumseh. Lecompton, Topeka.
Manhattan. Fort Riley, ETC., passed thro'
trade to Leavenworth, it passed north oi
her and left her high and dry. The same is
true in degree, of all points west of Law
renee. Then there was no rivalry between
Southern and Central Kansas. But when
it was seen that the Kansas Valley was stri-
wing against the mouth of the river, the en-
ergies of those interested were directed to
Southern Kansas-and Osawatomie, Paola
Emporia, Fort Scott, Prairie City. Olathe
Humbolt, Cofachique, and other towns
have sprung into importance, and Southern
Kansas now controls the political and com
mercial power of the Territory. Seventy.
FIVE per cent. of the emigration to Kansa:
Territory is seeking the valleys of the Ne
osho, Usage, Cottonwood, Verdigris and
their tributaries, and within twelve month:
fifty per cent. of the entire population vii
be south of the Santa Fe road Real es
tate in the Kansas Valley towns has beer
depreciating. while in Southern Kansas
even despite the many difficulties, it has the
past year been steadily and proftably in
creasing in value Business in the centra
towns has been languishing, and according
to the local journals, stagnating; while il
Southern Kansas it has more than trebled
and is proftably prosecuted.
We do not intend to open the old con
troversy on this point. nor do we desire t.
criminate or recriminate upon any parties
or any interests. All that we desire to d.
is to call the attention of business men t.
these facts-facts which no intelligent mar
can deny-in order that all concerned may
| take the proper action to remedy an evi
that is everywhere felt.
The time for definite action in regard t.
the development of the Territory is rapidly
approaching, and the events of the next si1
months may tell for a quarter of a century
and for all time. upon the interests of the
country lying between MISSOURI and the
Mountains The laws of trade are not to
be trifed with, and the sooner they are
recognized and acted upon, the more bene'
fit will accrue to all parties.-Ransas Gig
| Jour. Com.