Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-03-29
LETTER FROM ILLINOIS.
Some Encouragement AS 90 the Future OF
Tennessee.
CENTRALIA, MARION Co., ILL,
March 18th, 1878. !

CENTRALIA, MARION Co., ILL,
March 18th, 1873.
EDITORS CHRoNICLE-Recently L had
the pleasure of perusing two or three num-
bers of the "WEEKLY CHRONICLE" That
country, of unsurpassed climate, and vast
possibilities for material prosperity, is the
home of my childhood. The rude blast OF
war, hurried me from those familiar haunts
in the days of our nations darkness; since
which time, have been operating in the
broad Prairie State. That sense of pride
for the old home, which is usually accord
eel to absent ones, have not lost, and
hence 1 hail with pleasure all the enter
prises and instrumentalities looking to-
ward the development of the resources of
that section. Prominent among these in
strumentalities, permit me to recognize the
CHRONICLE, for its lusty pleadings for inn
migration and liberal investment of cap
ital in manufactures.
l note with pleasure the course pursued
by one member ofyour firm, in the case OF
challenge received to fight a duel. Ac-
cept the thanks of the many friends of
humanity and correct morals here i'm the
Northwest. That heathenish practice OF
dueling has held the sway i'll the sunny
Southn only as cloak for corruption, and
as dodge to prevent the letting in of light
upon evil deeds. The day approaches
when such monstrous folly will be crushed
out Honor to the men who aid in this
good work.
The establishment of extensive manu-
featuring interests is one of the most i'm
portant subjects before your people at the
present time. You have very superior
facilities for such industry. The wa
ter, timber, stone, ore and coal
are at YOUR very doors. Your climate
cannot be eXcelled on this continent.
Wealth lies embedded in your hills and
vallies. which heretofore has been almost
untouched. Let there come skilled work
men and common laborers necessary to
put into successful operation these much
needed factories, and you will not only
create new channels of wealth, but home
market for farm products would be had, to
which many East Tennesseeans have been
almost strangers hitherto. This state of
things would greatly quicken home indus
tries.
The passage of the School Bill by the
present Legislature marks the beginning
of new era in your State. The bill Is
| not near all that is desired by the friends OF
education, but it is far better than none.
at all, and Is a great improvement up
on what the State has had in
the past. Now let the people see
that the provisions OF the act are faith
fully enforced. This is the practical part
of the work. The statute books might be
full of wholesome laws, and yet they are
next to worthless without prompt enforce
ment. During recent visit which the
writer made to your State, he was painful
| ly impressed with the unfortunate state of
| things respecting education. A generation
of young people have reached manhood
and womanhOod without mental culture.
This occurred in war times, between 1861
and 1871. When asked how this came
about they answered, We've no schools"
/ refer to the localities of your railways
| These young men are voters now, and they
easily fall prey to the tricks of the vile
The old State owes it to herself that she
make clean record in this matter.
| G.. NASH.