The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1884-03-06
A FEWOF SALINE cOUNTYs ATTRAc-
-- lions.
BY COL JOHN 0. sPrvEY.

By COL JOHN o. sPTvEY. -a
Il In every state q few counties ris'
above the rest in importance, power
and influence, by reason Of some spe
cial and peculiar advantages specially
pertaining to them. Kansas Is no ex
eepuon to this rule, and Saline Is one
Of her important and noted counties
possessing great advantages. From
| lie organization to this time, It has
been particularly distinguished, even
among famous and historic counties
for ffs possession Of pre-eminent at
fractions and influence. Within its
boundary lines are found valleys OF
the Gypsum, the Solomon, the Saline
and the Smoky Hill-valleys me
qualled In beauty Of scenery and fer
tility OF soil, and now occupied by aP-
preoiatlye and intelligent people, who
value them a. the greatest and best
glft to man, since God gave to the
Children Of Isrselthe Land Of Ca
nsan. and these valleys fully snrpass
the uplands In soil add beauty. The
whole county il unsurpassed in the
elements OF creative wealth. In fact
It Il the garden Of the Golden Belt'
OF Kansas. The great, transeOntinen-
tai Union Pacific Railway runs
through this county and has been the
means Of bringing many settlers do
Il, for although men may have trav-
elled the entire length Of this great
line, yet when they pass through Sa-
line county, they are rejoieed by the
sight Of such lands, valleys, rivers,
towns and farms, as can be seen in no
other section Of this great country.
Besides, the beauty Of its scenery,
the fertility Of its soil, the mlldness Of
its climate, and the attraction of its
homes. It is also highly noted for the
intelligence and capacity Of its eiti-
zens, for their generous hospitality
and their high and self-saerifleiDg
public spirit.
With such citizens as these il is not
at all surprising that Saline county
has for many years exerted potent
influence in the affairs Of state.
There has not been a StateCOnventiOn
or State Legislature for many years in
which Saline county did not, through
her able though modest citizens, ex-
ert 9 powerful influence. The adroit-
ness and skill OF her politicians, and
even citizens generally, are unsur-
passed and highly appreciated. II q
good man should want to go to Con-
gress, all he would have to do would
be to become a citizen Of Saline, and
to invoke the aid and support Of its
able corps Of skilled aud capable lead
ers Ia bis behalf, and to Congress be
would surely go. Another feature Of
Saline county is the very large number
Of able, skilled and capable men-men
who are public spirited and self-sac-
rificing as we'll as meritofious and de-
serving, and men who are ut for any
public position in the state, and also
willing to serve the state when called
upon. There can not be vacancy In
any State or Federal office In the
State that Saline county cannot ably
ill from among her citizens, IL seeep-
lance could be procured from such
citizen. In fact It is strictly true that
Saline county alone has enough able
and selfsacrificing citizens to honor
ably al every Office Of the State, both
State and Federal, from U. 8. Senator
down to lowest, and then have
enough such left to ill up the entire
Congressional Delegation Of several
states, provided always acceptance
to such positions can be obtained
Saline county is always s leading
one. Should there be q law Of the
State, affecting alike every county Of
the State, and there should be great
great questions concerning 1t, and
much fuss and talk about It, both pro
and con, this would he Saline coun-
TVS opportunity. Every other coun-
~ might leave the matter alone, but
Saline would at once gel everything
ready, 90 10 the front. ralse q big
question and much talk, and point
out the way Cor other counties 10 do
OF not do, Tor Saline always leads,
never follows.
Another great attraction Of the
county is its capital town, Salina- II
has for many years been q noted place,
enjoying q high reputation as busi-
ness place. The intelligence and gen.
erous hospitality Of lts people, its
beautiful location, its thorough-going
and enterprlsing citizens, ils splendid
schools, lie noble churches and fine
hotels have all been widely and IA
vorably known for many years. Its
growth has been steady and enduring,
and natural result Of solid and In
crossing prosperity. The wandering
tribe Of nomads, known as drummers,
Who are constantly travelling North
South, East and West, regard Salins
Is their Mecca, to which their eyes
ere ever turned and whenever they
lay of day or two they always try
TO reach Eaiina as their haven Of rest
during that time. This is An unsE-
ring indication Of the high regard In
which SallnAis held f..i1rt
Another feature Of Saline county Il
the cosmopolitan character Of hel
people. They are from every state
and territory Of the Union, and from
every Olvillssd country on the Globe,
There ere industrious aud enieFpris-
| ing svedes, thrifty GsFmAns, aetiyl
and Yivacious Frenohmen, iollS
Tfishmsn, "stalWnrt Englishers,
canny Scots, phleguIatIo Dutch
gloomy spaniards, soft spoken Ital
laus, wild Cossacks from the bank
Of the VOlga, LaPlandeFs from tn
north Of Europe. where the days an'
nlghta are SIX months long-and ever
lGlmOnd-eyed Celestials, all-of ever
state and natian, striving and work
inefof s common end aad q eOmm0I
dsstiny-to make Saline county ID
garden Of the West, and all thanking
Heaven that their lot in life has beeI