The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1864-01-23
EMPORIA KANSAS. sATURr1s9. JANUARY % 1864


perity amid war. Nor need state to the
I Legislature the importance of doing what
ever it can legally and properly do, to en-
courage agriculture.
l call your attention to the fact that no
steps have been taken, either by the Terri
torial or State Government, to secure a
/ thorough geological survey. It seems to
me eminentIy proper that this subject should
engage your careful and eonsiderate atten-
ton.
The wealth Of Kansas lies in her soil.
Whatever may tend to develope that wealth,
should receive the sanction and support of
the Legislature. A geological survey, IN
der competent. auspices, would not only
bring accurately to the knowledge of all the
extent and character Of our mineral re-
sources, but would materially advance the
interests of agriculture, BY a scientific clas-
sifcation of soils and by ascertaining their
adaptation to the various purposes Of hus-
bandry.
I It is the opinion of scientific gentlemen
that the deposits of coal in this State are far
more numerous aud extensive than have yet
been developed. This single consideration
IS entitled to special weight in your deliber-
atoms. The almost fabulous prices which
fuel commands in our cities aud principal
towns, must retard their growth, and occa-
sion distress and suffering among the poor
+ er classes. We should ascertain precisely
how far coal may be relied upon as a sub
stitute for wood, which, from its scarcity,
viii hardly fail, while the present demand
continues, to command such prices as will
I prove oppressive to the INDECENT.
The subject of immigration is one which
attracts the attention of the whole country.
J Near two hundred thousand OF the young
men Of tie Republic sleep in the soldiers
grave. or are disabled for life, and million
of kindred spirits are IN the field. This
drain upon the labor of the country taxes
it heavily, and will tax it still more unless
we supply it with alien labor. The Presi-
dent of the United States, in his annual
message, foreseeing this result, urges upon
/ Congress the policy of facilitating, by eY
/ cry means in its power rapid immigration,
and the Secretary of State, anxious to ward
/ off its consequences, has sent special
agent to Europe to stimulate it. Every
! Western State, acting upon this theory, has
/ its bureau of Foreign Immigration. or its
agents abroad, laboring specially for their
/ State interests.
/ You cannot discuss or consider this sub
ject too thoroughly, as there are reasons in
dependent of the general ones, which call
upon you to act systematically and vigor-
ousiy upca it. Population is the source OF
/ wealth and the basis of power. That State
which has the greatest number of small
farms and Farmers, is the strongest. the
richest and the hsppiest. Thus, Massa-
chusetts, with a barren soil aud a bleak
climate. making population the test, is the
+ foremost State IN the Union in these re-
sPects.
( But there is another and still more impor-
tant view. Since the commencement OF this
century the tide of immigration has flowed
steadily and regularly westward. Each de-
cade exhibits plainly its law Of increase. Il
swept first over Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
/ Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, and at last
rested in Kansas, so far as the link Of West
ern Free States is concerned There has
been no cob. But the statesman, who
examines causes now in operation, and
traces them to their consequences, will see
great danger of that ebb, and feel that it
viii come unless the State shall act intelli-
gently upon the subject.
Richer gold fields than any yet discover
ed are opening on the western and eastern
/ slope of the Rocky Mountains, and their
I fascinating lure will tempt thousands Of
our young men beyond US and into them
I But there Is another and, we believe, =
( greater temptation to emigration. refer
+ to the South. Slavery viii perish, and rebel
owners of the soil be DISTINGUISHED. Their
rich lands will fall into the possession of
! the Federal Government, and that Govern
ment naturally and necessarily will ex-
ert every Legitimate means to people
them quickly and densely by the brave and
/ loyal citizens of the Nation The Missis-
sippi has TO be guarded, and who can do it
/ so effectively as this heroic class? The
/ Unionists of the South must be protected ::
and how can this be so easily and safely
done as settling by their side the free-born
and true of the North Besides, there are
no more profitable investments to be made
in the settled portions of the Republic, than
IN the cotton regions OF the South: Thus,
with the gold regions West, with the Fed
eral Government stimulating this emigra-
ton South of US, and with the money no
tive animating emigrants, It is certain there
wiz be an ebb in the tide of emigration
westward, unless Kansas shall act with wis
dom and energy.
/ It IS for you to consider, with the great
advantages you possess, and the still greater
opportunities you can offer to the immi-
grant, what it Is proper for you to do. These
advantages are unequaled in any State of
the Union. I have spoken of the soil and
/ its fertility of the climate and its health
/ fulness of the superiority of our home
market; but I have not referred TO that
boon which. the freeman eraEes-the HONE
STEAD. The settler here may obtain farm
Of one hundred and sixty acres of choice
land, 6y simply hViRg on Il fUe years, and
paving ten dollars 10 the land ofins asa u.