Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1879-05-21

vetop new nc IMAM tncy are To
day, or have been for the last decade.
Within less than ten years over three
milisn actual settlers have found
homes III the states and territories
west Of the Mississippi river. All at
once the nation arose as if from a
troubled sleep ofyears to be charmed
with thoughts, hopes and chances Of
honaes. They seemed, as if by mag
ic, to feel that the broad and fertile
prairies, golden hills, silver gulches
and mighty water-powers opened to
them q wide fold for operation and
development. Men in every depart
ment Of trade and industry iocked
west Of that mighty river.to build up
homes, cities, railroads, and perma-
nent manufactures and institutions.
This exodus, unparalleled in the his
tory of like movement, is a very
significant sign of the times, and
worthy Of careful thought.
The movement affects the destiny
Of this country. But it is necessary
to appreciate the character of the
people to appreciate its weight. The
idle whittier, town gossiper, or these
old familiar loafers on corners or hol-
ders down Of dry goods boxes do
not seek homes in the west. Meth
er is it the tramp and Others that go
to make up the hummer element of
society that come for the purpose of
succeeding; neither is it the moneyed
king, nabob or aristocrat, but q class
of men willing and determined to
work. These people are mostly of
our own country-brave, industrious,
honest and intelligent, patient and
self-sacriicing, they are willing to
meet and battle with difficulties so
that they may win in the end.
The effect of their leaving eastern
homes to locate in the west, is felt
all over the land. They leave a
cies in the shop, in the office, on the
farm, and every conceivable form of
industry. These places give labor to
the unemployed. But this emigra-
ton not only leaves numerous and
important vancancies; it creates a
demand for a greater production in
every branch Of industry, from the
manufacture of the spade, hoe and
pillow, to the building of the engine;
from the fabrication Of the tlimsiest
mosquito netting to strong and dur
able dress goods.
This exodus causes railroads to
branch out in various directions,
offering encouragement to the
test settler, and inspiring him with
thoughts of home and civilization.
This means more iron, more rolling
stock. and more labor. The old roll
ing mills and blast furnaces must
start to supply the demand, while
thousands of men will be employed
TO keep them in operation. Men in
spired with new zeal will run to the
mountains for ore and the pits for
coal and the forests for wood, and
then to the markets for food and
clothing.
The occupation of the west by
the element noted, tells on the
wealth Of the nation in no small de-
gree. 1t puts wheel within wheel
throughout the great commercial
machinery.o of the nation. A view OF
where these settlements are made re-
veals the fact that they embrace a
belt of country lying across the cen
ter of the United States from three
to five hundred miles in width and
about fourteen hundred miles in
length. Eight ninths Of this area is
composed Of prairie land, and the
rapid development Of the same is
one Of the maryels of the century.
The valleys Of the Mississippi and
Missouri and tributary rivers are not
only prepared to compete with the
world, but will be so circumstance
that they al feed the world. With
the increase of acreage under cultiva-
ton and consequent increased pro-
duction Of s~ereals, other important
developments viii follow, which arc
yet in their cradles. The miner,
with supplies near by, will level the
rock-ribbed mountains Of the west
and make them yield up their gold
and silver. The east and west will
pull together for the grand results
that must follow in the wake Of the
emigration Of the last decade.
Emigration has not ceased, and
the present generation may see a ne,
work Of farms in the far west like
fbef Of Iowa and eastern Dakota.
Of course there is much land yet to
be taken, but what has been accom-
plished il q power to the nation tha,
j. being felt more from day to day
as the chonges occur already indica.
ted. Let emigration continue, and
as time owe on with its changes
the buds Of great results will take tho