The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-02-26
OTTAWA.
4 Retrospect Of the Past and a IBlrds.eye
View Of the Future-Its Attractions, Re.
sources, Manufactures. Educational Fa:
cilities, Public Buildings, Trade and
Business Men.

The immense resources of the western country,
Auence in some of the newer states, have long
been, but are more particularly at the present
time, topics of great and increasing interest
throughout the whole of our vast republic; and
are arresting not only the attention of our own
citizens, but Of the inhabitants of foreign coun.
tries. Such are the admirable facilities of the
west for trade, such the variety ard fertility OF
its soils, the number and excellence of its natu-
raj products, the genial nature of its climate,
and the rapidity with which its population has
increased, that it has become an object of the
deepest interest to every American heart
Throughout this region the Spectator was attrac-
ted long ago by the increasing value of property
also, the politician anticipating the time when
through the ballot box tho west should rule;
the young and enterprising, turning from the
eager competition of industry and talent in the
older states, saw here less occupied field of
action The philanthropist feeling benevolent
anxiety for the intellectual, moral aud religious
advantages of population thus collecting and
increasing, and destined to fill the measure of
our national glory, also turned his steps west.
ward. The greatness and Importance of this
region burst upon the vision OF the people of the
east in manner scarcely less wonderful to the
present generation, than was American prosperi-
ty to the slowly progressing European.
Asingle glance at the map of the United States,
will show that the direction of our government
will shortly be in the hands of the people Of the
west The thirteen old states have an area of
about 100000 square miles, while only eight of
the new number have about the same, and the
whole region stretching westward to the Pacific
Ocean contains not less than 100000 square
miles of territory.
No state in the western country attracted more
attention and elected so many inquiries in an
early day, from those who desired to avail them.
selves of the advantages of a settlement in new
and rising country, as that of Illinois, and none
ever filed up SO rapidly with an industrious and
intelligent population from every part of our e1-
tensive country, as we'll as from Europe. When
the public works, which were in an early day
projected, were completed and in operation, Illi-
nois at once We'd with every other state in the
union and soon excelled any other in the west
in the amount and Importance of those artificial
channels of intercourse, which serve to connect
the extremi.ies of our wide spread territory, and
bind our population by links stronger than bands
of iron, by lines extending thousands of miles
This state was undoubtedly the richest in soil
OF any in republic, and of course held out the
Of t,fo A.
tural line. Here was ample room for farmers, as
there were vast quantities of land extending in
every direction. uncultivated, which was held
had not only at reasonable, but cheap rates. and
one acre of which, in many cases, would produce
twice az much as the same amount of land in
most of the eastern states. If rural pursuits
were pleasant and profitable in any land, they
were peculiarly so III Illinois; for here the pro-
duce OF the farmer sprung up almost spontaneous
~, not more than one-third of the labor being
on those in tkc Atlantic states.
The state OF Illinois had probably the finest
bodies of fertile than of amy state in the
union, and the opportunities for speculation
were numerous. Property continued to advance,
anu admirable farms and town lots could be
purchased with a certainty of realizing large
profits. The country here was beautiful-equal
in native attractions, though not in classic recol-
lections, to the scenes visited and admired in
Italy. The vale of Arno was not more beautiful
than the valley of the Illinois, with its lovely
groves, murmuring brooks and towering ,neads
"Oh, Italy, sweet cline of song where oft
Inc bard has sung thy beauties, maclless deemed,
lhou mast rival In this western lahd'
1t shall not be our task to write of this great
state, nor the great strides it has made in i'm
provement and civilization; but we will try and
picturs to your imagination one small gem in
the bright crown that rests so proudly on its tail
brow.
half century is but brief time in which ia
create history. Indeed great events seem tc
belong to extended life--to great periods Of time
Ottawa has just left behind its nfantc robes
For many years after the present century was u.h
cred into existence this was naught but wilder
ness, inhabited only by ssvdges. Our noble prai
RE state had not joined the ssteriood. her brigh
star had not been added TO the glorious constci
A"''op' p'aSc ~ HpW NJ tiInirdOiy HIS. Du
the germ was here, and it was only necessary I,
plant it deep in our unrva,ed soil for it to grow
and make ours one of the leading states of on,
country; that it, beauty and brightness SHOULD
shine upon the world and become known of al
men. That its fertility and resources should
appear, and then. rescued from ,cmi.ob!ivion, j,
should become the mother OF Presidents and the