The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-07-18
Letter from Illinois.
PERU, ILL.,, July l, 1862.

PERU, ILL.,, July l, 1862.
~ As rdfor Of The Cdledontan
p,.,pmjng that few wore as to the con-
..;r ,rd prospects Of the West at the pres
-. .me would not be uninteresting to some
,onr readers, take the liberty of making
'..un few facts that have come under my
=, observation. The business Of Illinois,
vau as ,ha, O.. her sister states, has been
.o,.ly affected by the present war. This
.r bs attributed mainly to the extremely
= ,rices of corn wheat and other agricul-
..,, roducts. Our fertile prairies seldom
.~.o produce abundant crops, but when re-
..,,rra,jye prices cease to reward the hus-
,lman business of all kinds receives Sc
,.re blow. There is an immense amount of
,,,n from last yesrs crop still in the hands
d,te producers, and although the prospects
~, he present season are quite fattering,
-.ay are praying for total and general fail
=. thinking that in such an event they would
". only save the expense of harvesting, but
,,ces would be sufficiently advanced to more
.,g remunerate them for the loss of this
-a., crop. Whether their anticipations in
ri, respect would be realized l am unable to
,..srniae but certain it is that farming in
..ao.,, with present prices, cannot be said to
e profitable occupation.
B4. enough of agriculture. l wish now to
yeas OF the mistaken ideas so common in
ne las, as to the intelligence, energy and re-
,.lrccs of theWestern people. Yankees have
.-- reputation of being the most enterprising
-o,.e in the world. This doubtless is a
.-,. and being a Yankee myself, l am not
...posedto contradict it. But experience has
lssht mt that if Western people have less
.atrsy than their Eastern brethren, they a,
.a,t understand perfectly well how to make
good use Of what they do possess. Illinois
as hitherto been almost exclusively an agri
-Aura state. Only within few years has
.rt attention been turned to the mechanic
-.lf fne arts, education and internal improve
1eat and yet her citizens point with pride
. the progress already made. Her system
j. free schools will compare favorably will
AT Of any other state. Cities and town
'l'ng up in every direction, while the foun
-y, manufactory and the printing press flour
- and are daily becoming more numerous
I4Iches and school-houses, the suresl indi
atoms Of prosperity and intelligence, gree
81. traveller at every turn. and tho s"'nd q
.ae locomotive is heard all over our broa
,rairies. No other state Of the Union ca
a4m to have made such rapid strides {
.tosreSs as Illinois. And this improvement
still going on, and will continue to go o
atil she shall have earned the proud title {
,-e Empire State of the Union.
cannot close without alluding to the M
Il manner in which our brave boys have n
yonded to the call of the Government
lis, her hour Of greatest peril. At Donne
n, Pea Ridge, Pittsburgh, and on many
ard fought battlefield her sons have prou'
Ecayrled the national ensign high in the va
-'I won victories and performed deeds
'4.oy that have made them the pride an
1ast of their state, and terror to traito
-yerywhere. Composed Of hardy, energeti
4aa intelligent men, her forces are invincibl
AID when this wicked war shall end, lllino
VII claim the proud honor of having BET
ne first to plant the foot of the Governme
upon tie head Of the monster secession.
LYNDON Boy.