Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-05-18
(Correspondenee Of the Beaeon.)
Sr. LOUIS, Mo-, }
May IL, 1876. !

Correspondence Of the Beacon)
Sr. LOUIS, Mo-.
May II, 1876.
The Western States as the lineal off.
spring of the original Thirteen" will
show themselves at the coming Centen-
nial celebration in every way worthy OF
their noble ancestry. There will be
such displays of their material resour.
ces and industrial progress that to
older States and Nations will seem mar.
velous.
Missouri will occupy a position among
these, second to none. For while the
State appropriation is a small one and
rather unworthy the object, the people
throughout the State have taken the
matter in hand and will leave nothing
undone to give this State such a repre-
sentation at Philadelphia as is commen-
surate with her great resources. It
vas the original intention land partly
carried out) to have constructed q sep
arate building for Missouri, costing
$4,000, made entirely of stone, iron
and glass of this State. The stringency
of the times made it a difficult object
to accomplish at SO short time and a
more modest department will be built
in its stead. Her whole exhibition,
however, will be the result of the patri-
otic contributions of her citizens.
MISSOURI FROM WITHIN.
Misacuri's position in the domain of
politics is q familiar one TO the readers
Of history. 1t is intended by the wri-
ter to view it from different stand.
point.
The State takes its name from the
great river that bisects it and was orr
ginally q part of the great territory
known rs Louisiana, afterwards called
Missouri. 1t was settled by the French,
led here in pursuit Of the Ell Dorados
that filed the imaginations Of the ear
ly European explorers ofthis Continent
Missouri occupies central position
among the United States. both rs to
latitude and longitude, and is on the
great highway Of commerce and travel
between the Atlantic and the Pacific
The area Of the State is over 65, 600
square miles, and 10 convey some idea
Of its immensitv. it will be necessary to
draw q comparison. 1t is larger than
all the New England States put togeth.
er-over one and half times larger
than New York and as large az England
and Wales united. 1t is the fifth State
in population and manufactures in the
Union Census Of 1870.
GENERALITY.
Mr.. l.. N. Reavis of capitol mov-
ing" fame in his zeal for ST. Louis
prosperity, has drawn . map upon
which with series Of eoucentric circles
of various radii he sweeps around the
globe-ike q Prospero making st.
Louis the centre of the grandest rossi-
bilities yet dreamed of upon the earth
While We will not stop to consider Mr..
Reavis' delightful fancy, it can be truly
said that no State in the Union occu-
pies so commanding position rs Mis-
souri,. Situated in the Heart of the
Republic" and occupying position be.
tween the severe Winters Of the North
and the extreme heat Of more Southern
latitudes, she possesses . climate that
is unsurpassed for its salubrity, and
combining at the same time all that is
needed for the development Of the high.
est civilization. Interlocked by one of
grandest river systems Of the world
the Mississippi coursing along the entire
Eastern boundary, the Missouri coming
down from the far West, and with its
many affiuents watering the entire State
the Ohio debouching at its Southern
extremity, all combine to render her
commercial facilities unequalled.
DIVISIONS OF THE STATE.
The Missouri River divides the State
into two parts-all that part North Of
that boundary being knowa as North
Missouri, while the South half is inclu.
ded within what is called South East
and South West Missouri.
The country North Of the river il
mostly an undulating prairie Of great
fertility, watsred by numerous streams
and Is the great agricultural region Of
the State. Here lie many heautifuland
fiourishiug cities and towns accessi.
bic both BY rail and water. The Kan.
sas City and Northern Il. X. passe,
through this section and With ito nu-
merous branches connects il with st,
Louis and the far West. The Missouri
River also affords cheap transportation
t'al the principal markets.
THE SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST.
Travelling South Of the river we en,e,
larger division Of the State. The
country now begins 70 wear . more Va.