The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-08-12
LETTER FROM COLORADO.
Special Correspondence.

plains of the West to Colorado, but it
is through such a diversified country,
affording a glimpse of so much varied
and interesting scenery, that time
and space are alike annihilated, as it
were, without fatigue or WEAKNESS.
In these days of multiplied railroads
and luxurious accommodation travel
in every direction is reduced to the
maximum of comfort and speed, but
nowhere do these conditions exist in
greater degree than in the great
West; and to the Open-eyed observer
there is a charm in gliding over this
vast expanse of country, the panora-
ma of which opens out before like the
views of a kaleidoscope, to be found
in nothing else. Yet in this fast age
even lightning express trains are too
slow for the impetuous American
who now looks forward to the day
when "balloon navigation" will be
the thing.
Our route traversed in part the
great agricultural States of Ohio, In
diana, Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas.
In all of these the crops are much
better than were realized last year,
and corn though somewhat back ward
in some sections. promises to turn out
a fair crop. judging from our "birds-
eye" view along the way. OF the
States east of Kansas it is not neces-
sary to take much note in this cores
Dondence. The one thing that Sug-
gested itself forclbly to me was the
inquiry why people ever leave these
fertile and easily cultivated States to
seek homes further west. 1t is not
strange that men desert the old thick
ly settled Eastern States and the over
crowded cities to follow the lamented
Greeley'S wholesome adYice-though
Onl y a limited number of them are
recommended to take Hoe Cylinder
Press-but those located in the broad
States just mentioned should be suffi.
GENTLY imbued with worldly wisdom
to let well enough alone. His they
may have, as drawbacks and diScour,
agements are everywhere in this
world, but it is better to bear then
than to fly to others we know not of
In northern Missouri, for instance
there are, uncultiYated, thousands o
acres of as good farming lands as the
sun eyer shOne upon, and it is mys
terry why people pass them by to e
to Kansas or anywhere else.
Our only stop of consequence Wa:
at Kansas City, which has now grown
to an important commercial centre d
over 10000 inhabitants. 1t is a pecu-
liar place, yet all who stop like it. In
appearance it is odd because being
built upon high and uneven bluff,
the streets run up and down hill and
the cellars of some houses are high
above the roofs of many near neigh
bOrs. Yet the buildings are mostly
of substantial character and there is
a solid, business like aspect to the
whole town. A slow process of grad
ing the streets down to a level is
going on in some parts of the city
and perhaps in the course of time
much of this rough and rugged exter
iOr will be removed. 1t has been {
place of rapid growth, commercially
and otherwise, and there is undoubt
edly promising future before it. 1t,
trade comes from vast territory t
the west and southwest, some eyer
from Texas and New Mexico. O
course a journey through on the car
is not sufficient to gain much accurat,
Knowledge of the advantages of Kan
sas as a farming country. Much ha
been written pro and con about it by
those whose opportunities of know
ing the truth are better than mine
but | am satisfied that there are a
good lands in the Cottonwood ant
Arkansas Valleys as can be fOunC
anywhere on top of Gods green earth
Taken all in all there is ample room
and opportunity in Kansas for thos
who are willing to work and endur
the trials Of a beginning. And it i
difficult to understand how men vii
remain in large cities living in howell
and rearing their children in hot-bed
of vice, when broad fields invite then
to come and make themselves homes
Few fail of good living who com
West with willing hands and de
termined spirit. Without these tn
experiment is useless, for there is n
royal road to wealth even upon fer
tile Western prairies. But the SAM
labor and energy which earns a scan
ty living in the crowded cities of tn
East will III few years surround
family with peace and plenty anC
a secure future. Speaking of Kansa
reminds me of story lately told
"How is the soil of Kansas ?" asked
one of the group as the traveller paus