The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1860-09-05
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

"rHE FLYING GAR" AUG. 81, 1860.
Dear Independenf:-In our former
communication, we broke off abruptly
with the discussion of the river towns
and their prospects; and we now propose
to enter the territory and look over it.
The point We FIRST reached in the
borders of Kansas was Atchison city,
which is place Of much business, and
might become one of leading impor-
tance, if those owning the lots and most
deeply interested would only get down
on solid ground, and qui. their walking
on stills. Men coming in from the
States. free from prejudice and unaf-
fected with the fever which seems TO be
consuming them. are not prepared to
give one thousand dollars, for very
poor vacan! lot in a place so new with
so sparsely settled country surround
ing to keep it alive. These visitors feel
that two hundred dollars would be a
large price for lots that are held at one
thousand; and perceiving no prospec. Of
ever getting their money back" at
such enormous prices they pass on 10
other points or return without making
any investments. l, looks like utter
folly for them to pay nearly twice as
much for 10. in Atchison as they
would have TO give for one equally as
well situated inst. Louis; and so i,
would be. Atcliison will never have
a permanent and substantial prosperity
until she gets down to the level OF
common sense. and ceases to become
notorious by the balloon process.
L Land near this city has sold for one
hundred dollars per acre., was ac,u-
ally dear at twenty-five; bur the people
here stand in their own light and will
not see, though our country has furn-
i'hed SO many examples Of the folly OF
such course.
Spectators; however, are interested
in keeping up the excitement, rs their
only hope depends on making all they
can before the bubble bursts. We do
not wonder at their efforts 10 keep up
the fever; but we do wonder that any
one who has had sense enough to ac-
cumulatc wealth should become so sud
denly crazy as 10 invest in property
here because it is cheap. or with view
OF holding on 10 it for speculating pur-
poses 1t appears to us they have
need Of guardian or should be put in
a straight jacket.
We oppose This policy of inflated
speculation. because it is the most seri-
GUS obstacle to the permanent grouth
and future prosperity Of Kansas. We
know it will make few persons veal
thy. but it will beat the expense of the
many. and retard the real and valuable
development of the territory. We are
for the many in opposition to the few:
for the whole territory and future state.
and not for the handful of spectators
whose highest motive and ambition is
10 get rich-so make money any way.
even at the expense Of the entire popu-
lations, themselves alone excepted
This selfish policy is short-sighted and
suicidal. except in cases where an i'm
mediate result is desired to be effected.
which shall terminate the individuals s
connection with the territory. They
who design to make Kansas their future
home. and expect their children to live
here prosperously after them. should set
their faces as Steel or flint against this
force system hot-house method of
bringing about results.
No farmer is so foolish a. TO expect
to raise the crop which his wliole PLAN
lation should produce from two or three
l,ot-beds six by fifteen in extent; and
yetihe farmer who should attempt SO RI
thin. would be acting jus. as
wisely as the men who try 10 build up
cities on paper and BY gas. TIE plants
could be started in the hot bed, ,and look
splendidly Tor time; but how soon
would they become eiihera tangled
mass or witl,er and die ! Just 50 with
forced towns-they will die or wilt
down. and great will be the dropping
thereof. 81 yasaaf
He. therefore. is The best friend Of
he farmer who advises him to plant his
ields instead Of his hot beds for crop:
md equally The best friend Of the cities