Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-06-27
The hate Ezoursion

sfsThe excVsSiARista have all returned home
ssfe aud m1eh i0pxoved in health spd knowl>
edge Of The 6rskt North West. When they
had looked atohicago, an great many availed
themselves Of the generous offers OF railroad
companies TO visit Michigan, Wisconsin, Min
nesota, Iowa, Missouri and Indiana, as well as
Illinois. We have read their correspondence
from these States, in the public prints with
much interest and we have no doubt but their
geographical knowledge is much improved by
their late visit
p" The Geography published of this country
never giys Ms correct idea of its products and
population. We are too fast people for Geo
graphers, published once in five years, and
knowledge Of our country can only bs ac-
quired BY tfayslling through it. The intro
daefioR,cf steam, the conttfuction, ofsaii roads,
ths hszeIsgFsPhrandssthe press appeared TO have
beens5nYsated almost expressly TO develop the
mighty isspsIeeSS sud aid in he-GlXiliEatiOn Of
this western world. -@,
When our Pioneer fslhers, after many trials
and hRrdships, crossed the Allsghanies, some
seventy years ago, they found all this vast coun-
try, extending west to the Pacific ocean, the
habitatiou Of savages and wild beasts. They had
occupied this turtle soil from time immemorial
but they have within the recollection Of man,
short as are his allotted days, almost entirely
disappeared. Civilization never before made
such wonderful progress, and without the aid
OF the press, steam. telegraph and railroads., is
never could have achieved such greatsetpmphs
in so short a time. To fully realize what has
been done during the past fifty years by the
enterprise and industry of a free people it lie
only necessary TO take an excursion on the
ehsriois drawn by the fiery locomotive for a
few days. This has recently been done by
thousands, and they have returned to their
homes not only improved in health by iphalipg
the cool breezes Of our Northern Lakes, but
with q much better knowledge of our vast
country.
The social, commercial, political and moral
relations Of the people OF the West are much
improved by these excursions, and we could
wish they were more frequent. In no other
way can narrow minded preiudices and social
jealousies be so easily dissippated. trip to
Chicago, Mickinaw, the + alls OF st, Anthony,
and the Upper Lakes. can now be SO easily
safely, and quickly taken we expect thousands
will avail themselves OF our newly opened route
to those regions during the present warm sea-
son. We can now breakfast in Dayton and
take supper in Chicago. This is accomplished
without weAriness or fatigue, as ePass over a
smooth road, justly styled the "Air Line" af-
fording us fine Panoramic view of highly
cultivated farms, green forests, extensive Prai-
mes, towns, cities, lakes and rivers along the
line. Although we witness mostwonderful i'm
prOyemsnts along the whole route We ara con
stantly reminded that We are travelling through
a country that is but 10 its infancy. New
farms are being opened and the log cabins
corduroy bridges, dense forests and wet lands
remind rs Of the difficulties encountered BY the
tirst settlers Of the Miami Valley.
The pioneers Of this region have however
much greater advantages than those that first
settled in Ohio. The railroad affords mar
ket At their very doors for all their products
and briggs to them, at a eheaP price. every ar
tiels that they require. How much the condl
tion Of many industrious men of small .meAna.
who are living from hand to mouth, might be
improved could they have the courage TO emf.
crate into this new country. Lands are yet
comparatively cheap, but il viii not be long
until this whole country will be densely set
lied.
The rapid growth of towns along the rail
road surprised us is unparalleled in any cOun.
try. 1t takes but very few years here to build
ups city containing ten thousand inhabitants,
aud it has not been unusual for individuals to
become "suddsnly rich by the rise OF property.
Some of the citizens who are now worth half a
million were pointed out 70 us, who but few
yesra ago were poor.
AsWe approached Chicago the broad prAi
riOs, clothed in their livery Of green, were most
enchanting. These prairss are so productive
and easily cultivated that il ia no wonder Ills
nOis increases so rapidly in wealth and POpulAs
Ei0n.
Chicago the mstrOpOlis Of the NOrth West,
jSS vSpdsFfrl oiY Of most spPhping gOvth,