Mexico weekly ledger., 1879-07-17
FNI MIGRATION.
Meeting NJ ~" FaTr~ House on
pa! s2>ss.s ~E'r.sctjr II Address
trOsm Hon. IN. lay Dean
Views of ti,e state Board.


traction of a picnic at Thompson
Stations large and enthusiastic crowd
greeted Hon. H. Clay Dean on Sat
urday. 1t seems that our community
and by that expression, we mean
both the rural and civic portions of
it, take more interest in those practi-
cal means of advancing their indlvid-
ual and common interests, which are
connected with immigration than
they do in political discussions, pro-
posing to accomplish by COMPRESSION
al enactment, what can be reached
only by personal Enterprise. To the
real estate owner in our midst, to
the industrious farmer, energetic
mechanic, and adventurous merchant,
there IS far more prospect of plenty
of greenbacks, yea! and of hard silver
dollars in an influx of population
than in mere amusement or discussion
offat or in the success of any set of
of1ice-hunters in this country.
The weather was very sultry and
Mr.. Dean somewhat indisposed, on
which account his address was neither
so long or SO ornate, as are many OF
the productions of that gentleman's
prolific pen, but for absense of rheto-
rical adornment, there was abundant
compensation in Its practical good
sense and admirable adaptation 10 eX
listing exigencies. Although we took
copious notes of what was said, for
fear of inability to do justice to the
easy and flowing colloquial style in
which what was said was delivered,
we shall not adventure upon any
thing more than a synopsis OF this
conversation, of which we shall en-
deavor to present the substance and
to which we ask the earnest attention
of every one interested in the welfare
of this community.
Mr.. Dean began by comparing the
State to a youth emerging from boy
hood into manhood, Il condition full
of promise and replete with vigor.
Missouri was already the fifth state in
Importance and among cities, her me-
tropolis ranked fourth in commerce
and manufactures. A few genera
tons had been productive of wonder
full advancement. Along the line of
the St. Louis, Kansas City and
Northern railroad, thirty years ago
deer frolicked upon ground now oc-
cupied by cities.
Nowhere, continued Mr.D., is there
a more prosperous, happier or better
clad or fed population than that OF
Missouri. And nowhere else was
there less corruption among those
that administered law than within her
courts. 1t is true both state, coun-
ties, and cities were somewhat in
debt. At the same time means to
liuuidata those debts existed in album
dance. There was fertile soil, eX-
haustless mineral, abundant timber,
unexplored coal and plenty Of water
power. What was wanted was bet
ter utilization of what was raised.
Corn at 10 cents, pork at 2 1-2 cents
and tobacco at from 2 to 3 cents was
a poor reliance. Instead of dispos,
ing Of such products at such prices to
be sent abroad, these commodities
ought either to be consumed at home
or be so changed in their character
by labor applied to them, as to com
mand the highest possible values,
!, While we act thus with what is pro-
duced, we send abroad for almost
, every manufactured necessity. Is i
not incredible that with extensive pine.
ries within easy access twenty mil
lions of dollars are annually paid TO
lumber brought " and carried acros:
our state? We import pianos anC
furniture while there is plenty o
walnut on our streams to construct
them out of. We get two cents pc
foot for material, and pay from 3 t.
Y 6 cents for it upon its return.
Mr.. Dean then dwelt upon the diff
. ferent sections of Missouri, particu
: Iarly on the water shed between tn,
: Missouri and Mississippi rivers, and
the southeastern and northwestern
portions of the state as Astounding IL
natural advantages and offering un
usual inducements to immigration
The pine forests that had been allud
ed to existed in the southeastern sec
; tion,a part of the state rich i'll miner
ais and peculiarly adapted to grape
and fruit culture, a region which, /
properly developed, was capable Of
j supporting dense populations. Ii
e regard to the northwest counties O
u the state and especially those lynn
between the city of st. Joseph ant
e the Iowa line, there were none within
t the reach Of e~migrants that offere'
more or higher agricultural attrac
tons. The land constituting tn
n water shed was noted for its blu
e grass. No better blue grass pasture
L existed anywhere, and certainly non
that could be nor speedily made re
munerative.
Mr.. Dean next proceeded to speal
of what was being done by n dairy
man in Iowa on similar lands. Tn
products of 800 cows-condense'
cream, butter, cheese, &C., were be