The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1863-01-31

rather increase than decrease its means, II
these means were necessary to establish its
power. They are not. It can grant to
Kansas what it has given to other States,
without diminishing its active resources, or
trenching, in any way, upon the public
treasury. l press, therefore, the claim of
Kansas, Temporarily, but firmly, l de-
mand justice.
EXTINCTION OF THE INDIAN TITLES.
The great importance of extinguishiDg
Indian titles in this State at an early date,
must be manifest to all. 1t is well known
fact that Indians locate upon the best lands
in any territory where they may reside.
That is eminently true Of Kansas Our
richest lands, those most abounding in tim
ber and water, are still held by them. The
true interest of the State and the duty of
the General Government to this State, alike
require the extinction of Indian titles, and
their domain shall be thrown open for set
element. Kansas, now, is deprived of one
half of her resources for revenue, thus
throwing the burden Of sustaining the
State Government upon about one-half of
its rightful territory. No wonder, then,
that the half which has to sustain the
whole expense, groans under the oppressive
load. Let one-half of this load be divided
with the other half, and work will have
been done which common justice demands
and Kansas has right to expect. Persons
not familiar with this subject, will, upon
reflection, be astonished at the extent of the
Indian domain and the continued and deep
mischief it works upon the commerce and
labor of the State; how it cripples cities
and towns, how necessarily it checks the
growth of neighborhoods, aad what de-
pressing influence it has in preventing a
dense population O. the State. A glance
at the map of Kansas will show at once the
fearful gaps in the settlement of its terri
tory, and in itself would be conclusive
argument in favor of the extinction of In
dian titles. To aid the Legislature in the
examination of this subject and to present
the matter clearly to Congress; to make
both realize its importance, have only to
state the fact, that the Indians hold in this
State 3,9S6,442 acres. The soil of Kansas
is the chief source of its wealth and pros
perity. What our people have done and
are doing for the General Government l
have already stated. They have poured
out, and are pouring out their blood in its
defence, and should have the full use and
occupation of their own domain. We need
it, nor can we become vigorous and strong
without it.
RAILROADS,
l call your special attention to the Pacific
Railroad. No mightier work was ever
undertaken by any Government. 1t will
put the Atlantic and the Pacific in close
neighborhood, and melt down, as it were,
the Rocky Mountains, the only barrier the
fathers feared could ever divide the Re.
public.
The timid may doubt; the over cautious
fear. Looking at the distance and the OBJ
stacles to be overcome, even tie prudent
might question the result. But plain and
practical men who know what the West is,
and what the West has done; wise and cal
culating men who, at New York and in San
Francisco, understand how, within a few
years, the interests of the Atlantic and Pa.
ci6c have been knit together, have no doubt,
no fear. l adopt their conclusion. I re-
gard the completion of the work as a Ger.
tainty. No accident within the Republic
and no turmoil without, no rebellion al
home and no war abroad, shall shatter the
iron arm destined to link together the fal
East and the far West.
Western men, least of all, should raise q
question on this subject. Where was Ohio
at the commencement of this century P
Where Indiana, and what was then termed
the Far West? OEio, or rather we should
say, mid Ohio, and to be still more specific
the Cuyahoga river in mid Ohio, was tht
dividing line. East, the white man was il
poSer-West, the Indian. Now calculate
the power of the wave of population West
Then civilization and all its resources, pop
ulation and all its power, were Eastward
The hardy pioneer West was dependent on
the East for his bread. Even as late 1885
the few inhabitants of Chicago would have
suffered, if not starved, had not the people
Of the East sent them supplies. Yet no,t
Chicago is the granary Of the ,corld.
Nor is this all. The Western slope is at
this time nearly equal, in weight of popula.
tion, with the Atlantic slope. New Eng
land, New York and Pennsylvania number
nine million, nine hundred and twenty two
thousand, one hundred and thirty three
souls. Ohio and the States West count up,
excluding the Territories and California,
nine million, sixty-four thousand, eight
hundred and thirty six souls.
Railroads we're comparatively unknown
10 this country before 1910. Between
IS4O and 1850 the system was earnestly
considered and discussed The result Of