The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1874-10-23
The Land OF Canaan.

Correspondence Of the Nashville Bsnner.l
You have studied geography aud
American history, and yet you do net
know much about this great Western
coast, nor never will, ill you cross tho
Mississippi, sweep through the prairies,
climb the Rocky Mountains. pass the
Sierra Nevadas, look on the Coast
Range, gaze with wonder upon Castle
Rock, Mount Shasta aud Mount Hood.
aud then turn yonr eye TO the Thousands
o. buttes, peaks. points and promonto-
ries overlooking mountain s,reams,
crystal lakes, fruitful fields, broad val
leys and thriving villages. And then
you must leisurely pass through coun-
try extending along q cost more than
thousand miles Ia length, aud running
beck into plains aud mountains. cover
ing a country sufficiently large TO sustain
millions, multiplied, OF human bcings,
Hnd when you have thus surveyed this
broad region, you will just begla to APP
preciate the extent aud grandeur OF the
great West. ] have recently travelled
thousands OF miles In this romantic por-
ton OF North America, and can truly
say, "the half had never been told me-"
Kansas. Colorado, New Mexico, Wyo.
ming. Utah, Nevada. California, Araxo-
ma Oregon, Idaho, Washington Terrific
~, Montana, Alaska.--all these vast
regions are only partially inhabited. but
will one day sustain a people exceeding
by millions the present population OF
the United States. The resources OF tho
country are vast. The minerals are ex-
haustless. The miners, a thousand years
from this, will be digging for gold, sill
YER and other valuable metals. The
agricultural qualities OF the country
will not be fully developed for ceutu-
nv to como. The vas: forests Of the finest
timber in the world are vet unpenetrat-
ed. Fisheries are yet to DO established
that will feed millions of our race
Trade, commerce ani manufactures arc
yet in their infancy, but will develop iu-
to gigantic proportions.
II will require great skill to govern
and keep In line country 30 vast as the
United States 10 destined to become Ia
the course Of o few more decades, not
to say century hence, Washington,
Jefferson, Adams and such like, might
Ihave been wise enough 10 navigate our
little ship Of State, with thirteen stars
and stripes and doubtless they were but
when itcomes TO control u people spread
over a vast country, extending from the
Atlantic TO the Pacific. aud peopled by
hundreds of millions from every cline,
kingdom, language and soil under heav-
en-. who can hope for wisdom aud patri-
otism and power TO BIO so concentrated
"a one man 10 enable him 10 direct the
whole? We rejoice IN the growth and
prosperity OF our country but we should
rejoice with trembling. A mistake, or
u series Of bnnders, may convulse the
whole land, and SILVER and shatter our
nation in atoms. Wise men, virtuous.
men, unsedsh men, patriotic men should
be selected to Sit in our councils, legis-
late for the people and administer the
laws OF the country. The masses should
be educated, the press should DO In the
hands and under the control OF men Of
enargcd views and unselnsh purposes.
The elevation of tho race and tho good
Of the whole people, and not party or
personal considerations, should move
the hearts OF those who are entrusted
with public affairs. Wo have never
fully estimated tho importance OF our
country nor appreciated the position we
occupy MS q nation. Sound education.
pure literature, an enlightened press
and holy religion may DO considered
as the conservative elements OF any
country May we have all these! The
people on this coast have reason TO con-
graduate themselves and one other ON
their prosperity the present season.
Their harvcsts are abundant. and
their fruits without limit. California
aud Oregon may be considered one big
wheatfeld, and | venture the opinion
that Old Canaan, In the days Of Joshua,
did not much excel this coast In the
productions Of their orchards aud vine.
yards. Apples, peaches, pears, apricots,
figs, prunes, pums, cherries, grapes,
strawberries, etc, all flourish in this do
Ilightful climate. Tho people live well,
and are very hospitsblo Lands In the
best valleys are held at high rates, but
In many sparsely settled portions OF tho
States and Territories, good homes may
be secured at Government, prices.
Wishing you great prosperity In my
native State, close this brief letter.
M