The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-03-05
The Old And The New States.


From the Pittsburgh Telegraph.
We have repeatedly seen it stated in
our exchanges, and the information is
corroborated by private letters, that
there is a return tide of emigration from
the remote States in the West, in short,
that many people are returning home.
If this be fact, and we believe it 10 be
such, il will exercise an important bear
ing upon the future growth of the old
er and more settled communities. I'm
migration set westward mainly on ac-
count of the cheapness of lands But
the low priced lands that are at all de-
sirable are being rapidly taken up
What with railroad grants and the op-
erations of spectators the field for col
onists in the public domain will soon be
very limited. Gen. Hazen, a very ac-
curate observer, recently proved that a
very large scope of territory between
the lines of settlements and the Pacific
was not adapted to agriculture owing to
the want Of water; it is a veritable des-
ert. But even in those regions which
have been painted in most alluring COL
Ors, and TO which hundreds of persons
have been attracted, it Is now developed
that the bitterly cold winters make sue
cessful farming very hazardous exper-
iment and expose life itself to serious
perils. When beasts and men freeze to
,Iaofh ha rrt,Ianf fa in
perate climes will decide to remain at
home. The great scarcity of timber and
water in portions of the West are capi-
tai draw backs to the settlement of that
section. and the plaques Of grasshoppers
and other insects bringing whole com
munities to the verge of famine, must
increase the repugnance of thousands
Of people to locate there. So far as
these considerations have weight they
must assist in swelling population and
adding to the wealth of the oldest
States. There are too many comforts,
Injuries and social enjoyments which
cannot be realized in the far West, and
mere cheapness of land will not recon-
cile people to the absence of them. The
western Fever" is for the present bro
ken, and it will be many years, if ever,
before it attains the pitch which once
made people go crazy over Omaha and
Duluth. This State of Pennsylvania is
only meagerly developed. We have
just skinned its surface. It could cas-
lily maintain a population of ten mill
lions of people. Here the industrious
worker is in the centre of wealth and
channels of transportation. Why
should he go off to the frontier and then
| clamor for railroad, or combine against
the railroad that might, perchance, run
by his cabin door. Generally speaking,
it may be said that only the most pecu-
liar and special inducements should op-
crate to carry an active man from these
settled and prosperous States to the
West. Where there are decided oppor-
tunities offered, go, but not in any vague
search for something better than can be
realized at home. In portions of the
West, WtttuFtu lnleTpOSeS d uEeduIul OD-
stacle to the energetic prosecution of
agriculture or any other pursuit. In
the other States these miasmatic plaques
have been gradually overcome. There
is room in the other States for industry,
and abundant room too, even for small
capital. This people have spread too
rapidly over large surface, and in
their efforts to settle it and railroad it,
have incurred immense debts and Grip
pied the whole nation. That the illus
ion of an Eldorado in every plain, for
est or swamp, some thousand miles
away is being dispelled and the COM
mon sense of the people beginning to
take note of the opportunities offered
where large and settled communities
have prepared the way, is really a mat
Ter for sound congratulation.