The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1860-10-24

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER "a. 1860
ST. L0UIS-HER TRUE POICY.
Leaving the local affairs Of the terri
tory for time. we propose to discuss =
subject intimately connected with. tue
interests Of our future state.
Al present there is powerful effort
being made to divert the trade Of Kan.
sas TO Chicago. and the Hannibal and
81. Joseph Railroad opens facilities ol
Communication with that city which
Srenders it easy Of access and attracts to
it quite . considerable share Of interest.
In conjunction With the railroad faci.
litiss. those interested endeavor to work
for de accomplishment Of their pur-
poses By appealing to the prejudices Of
the free eiate element in the territory,
and enough sympathy. in view of what
Chicago did during the troubles atten-
ding the early settlement Of Kansas. to
enlist the feelings uf her people in be-
half Of their city. This may be all
riyh, enough the way the world goes.
which i. ''every one for HIMSELF" but
it viii be well for our people to look
about them with eyes undimmed and
vision uncolcred by any kind of preju-
dice. before they decide that Chicago
shall have their trade.
We have no i'll feeling towards tha.
city; on the contrary. we respect her
business men for their enterprise. and
hope that they viii endeavor to furnish
US With as much to consume as possible.
and At the lowest prices consistent with
aslegitimate trade: and SO We wish OF
Cincinnati, and all other cities. But
before our people invest any Of their
funds-of which they have none t.
squ.nder-in any railroad enterprises
looking to connections with distant
cities. we wish them to be thoroughly
posted: because wrong move now will
be serely felt hereafter; and an unfor-
,unate investment in our infancy sadly
rs,ard our growth or cripple us up 10
ms;urcr life. s-s.--
Trade is goverened by certain laws.
and it will follow them in the end, as
certainly US the law Of grari,ation at
tracts every thing TO a common center
1t is true. by a violent effort trade may.
for time. be diverted from its natural
or legitimate channel. ns any body BY
the application Of sufficient force may
be thrown in an opposite or oblique
direction from the center of attraction;
but these spasmodic efforts can only
last for more or less brief period. and
then the natural course of events will
follow.
Now. the first question Of moment
for us 70 consider i.: Where is the
natural center Of trade for Kansas {?
And when this question is satisfactorily
answered. and the attracting point as
certain.d, we shall at once know where
10 direct our efforts and in what direc-
ton TO expend our means.
Now. have We any natural connec.
ton with Chicago! any river? any
lake? any sea: Is there any thing that
forms a natural link between US and
that city Plainly not. AL our com
munication with her is artificial.
"True. but are no. railways the great
equal;sers and regulators Of trade ?"
Certainly they are. to very great de-
gree; but they cannot change the laws
OF trade; and where nature has made |
connections railways will never break |
them. No great city has yet been |
built BY railroads alone; but all the
great cities Of the world have been |
bull. by the natural laws Of trade. 1t