St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-09-01
4. B. T.. IIILDRETu, Editor.
St. Charles City, Iowa, Sept. l, 1859.
Come TO Iowa.

Come TO Iowa.
The financial crisis of 1857 was APP
parcntly most disastrous to Iowa. The
almost entire failure of crops in many
portions of the State, in the succeed
ing year, seemed to bring us, in the
eyes of the superficial observer, near
the verge of financial ruin. 1t is not
surprising, therefore, that q wrong
impression as to our actual condition
should prevail in the eastern States.
Evils of all kinds are too apt to be
exaggerated, and that without any in
tcntional misrepresentation. If Il COW
takes sick and dies, forthwith there
are deaths and rumors of deaths mul,
| titudinous. The something as black
as a crow has become three veritablc
black crows. This general course Of
things in such matters has done great
damage to our State. The tongues
and pens of hasty men, have hurt the
State far more than has the existence
of any real bad state of things in the
midst of us
From the year 1916 up to 1854 ),
the career of Iowa was one Of un-
mixed prosperity and progress, if we
except the "wct season. in 1851,
which was but moderately damp in
comparison Of last year, there having
been tolcrably fair crops raised in 81
In 1854 ), the failure of the Indiana
" wildcats" was somewhat felt. but,
fortunately, mostly among spectators.
Unfortunately, however, it did not ar
rest the progress of the spirit of uni
vcrsal speculation, which seized every.
body and brought them all up a-stand-
ing two years ago. During this pc
riod, (from 1884 up to the fall of 1850
it is amazing how completely our cit
zcns were filled with the desire of sud
den riches. Credit was easily had
eastern currency flooded the country
imaginary towns sprung up every
whcrc-lands were tictitiously high.
usury was unscrupulousl y asked aud
willingly promiscd-farms were neg
lected-debts were left to run on un-
asked about, goods and groceries be-
ing bought on credit, lands alone sell
ing for ready money at exorbitant
rates. In short, every one was pro-
fesscd speculator, and the good re-
suits which always flow from proper
division of labor, skill, and capital,
were entirely dried up. Then followed
the wrecks of fortunes and the crash
of business. 1t was natural-it could
not have been otherwise. Many men
have sunk, doubtless, who will never
rise again, some of whom are entitled
to pity, and others not. But it must
be seen that the effects of the hard
times, as now plainly visible, are of
unmixed benefit to real progress and
prosperity. Other things being in
their natural course, it must be ad-
mitted that in lS59-60 more lasting
good in the development Of the resour-
ccs of our State will take place than
has taken place in any five years of
our previous history. 1t requires but
little of tho prophetic vision to see
this.
In view of these things, let us speak
of the reasons which should induce IA
large immigration to the State, the
coming season.
In the first place, taxation is very
low. The taxation for State purposes,
last year was reduced 25 per cent. un-
der that of the previous year, and this
year it will be still lower. The most
cXpensivc of our State institutions are
finished, or are SO far. completed that
no farther taxation will be necessary
for them. A permanent constitution
is established, and the simple machine
ry of our government can be admins
tered at small expense to the tax.pay-
er. Our taxes, now, are less. than
that of any State in the Union. Our
Indebtedness is almost absolutely moth
ing and must remain SO, by virtue of
constitutional provision.
In the next place, we have sound,
safe, reliable currency Of our own.
The State Bank of Iowa stands as
high as does the State Bank of Ohio,
or did the old State Bank of Indiana
1t is established on firm basis, which
is almost impossible to be ovcrthrown.
1t is matter of no little Importance
that the wildcat dynasty is over.
thrown forcvermore.
Thirdly, our lines of railroad are
now progressing rapidly toward the
interior of the State, and the differ
ence between eastern, and central, and
western Iowa is fast passing away
The whole State will soon have 9
home market. The Burlington roat
reaches the Des Moincs river a
Ottumwa--the NJ. a. NJ X. r. Il