Mexico weekly ledger., 1879-04-03

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largest city circulation. Cur books shsw 10
themselves.
The crowd that is moving to the
West Of us Is Of a mixed aspect.
Some are comfortable, but many ex-
hibit the arrearance of -wretchedness.
II is made up of e~migrants from every
State, and in it are representatives of
almost every nationally. As a gen
eral thing, they Look detected. Much
of this may be due to the tedium.
dust and dirt of railroad travel, but
it is obvious that the great bulk of
these are concerned about
their future. Fixit as you may, for the
poor, no condition is free from en-
barrassment. Certainly, emigration
forms no exception to this rule.
Some are compelled to ask assistance,
and even those that escape such deg
relation encounter other ills. To
squat ON the public domain, to build
and fence, to dig and delve and grub
and pillow, often without the COM
monest necessaries OF existence, is a
dear way of obtaining a farm; but
many have no other means of pro-
wiling for themselves and children.
1t is hard that SO many are driven
from their inherited or acquired ma
tive homes. 1t is cruel that financial
folly and industrial Encouragement
have inflicted such incalculable evil.
The land being settled west Of US is a
region Of promise, and dispiteall that
must be combatted and ERGO in
the settlement and cultivation of tits
destined eventually 10 be rich in all
that can make life desirable. Kansas
abounds in rich lands. Colorado
possesses untold mineral wealth, with
a pure atmosphere and most magnifi-
cent scenery, and even New Mexico
is not without attraction 70 the more
hardy and adventurous of our popu-
iaticns. The men that 60 70 prepare
these wildernesses for civilized occu-
patton, are the real heroes of their
age. They not only make provision
for themselves, But impart relief to
eyerburdened districts and, free old
settlements from that excess of COM
petition which recent changes in
finance, in industry and in commerce
have inaugurated, and which are as
unfortunate as they are damaging.
The names of many of them will live
in history with those of Laclede,
Boone. Bates, Fremont, Galloway,
Clark and Carson, or descend perpet-
uated in the titles of the towns and
counties they shall found.
But Notwithstanding the success
that is likely to follow persistent eff
fort in the regions named, Missouri
offers greater facilities at far less cost
Of life and means than any of the
States that have been cited. There
is much beyond fields and residences
that civilized man must have. Among
indispensable accessories may be
enumerated railroads, court houses,
jails, school houses, churches, graded
highways and bridges. In new coun-
tries all these must be constructed,
and the taxes and contributions made
and paid for their attainment form a
legitimate part of the cost of real
estate. In q county like ours, and
in many others in this State that
might be named, the amount expend-
ed in this way exceeds the price de-
manded for land, and farms in any of
them are necessarily cheaper than
they can be in any State where such
facilities and in~dispcnsibles have not
been provided, not excepting those
ever in which title may be ac-
quired by settlement and occupation.
At best, the first generation of
settlers cannot make satisfactory pro-
vision for them. 1t may suit the
means Of some to make the on
tributions for their attainment
gradually, but that course never
fails to enhance their cost and retard
their ben sfts. 1t is well known, also,
that notwithstanding their rapid adj
yancement, neither of these Com
m~onwealths have produced a CONNER
cial or industrial emporium. In a
quarter OF a century OF. successful
and unprecedented progress, Kansas
has not been capable of it, but to-
day seeks to attain a city which in
every sense Of the word is the result
of Missouri's foresight. Had Leay-
enwarth known its opportunity, Jim
Lane would never have brought the
Kansas Pacific to the Missouri by way
of the Kaw bottom to convert Wyan-
dotte into q frst-class city Be.
sides the town that Kansas coyerts,
this State has developed st. Louis,
whose increase In population and
property is co-extensive with that Of
the State of Kansas.
THE CONFLICT.
No one need be surprised at the
onpoa;tiop offarpd tn the measures at.