The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-26
STUDIES OF THE WEST.
CHARLES DUDLEY WARMERS CRIT
ICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Tendencies - Abundant
seifAssertion and Some BoastfulEess
State Pride-The West Defiantly
American-The Foreign Elements.

March.
In beginning series OF observation
and comments upon western life II is Pre-
per to say that the reader is not to expcc
exhaustive statistical statements OF growtl
or development, nor descriptions, excep
such as will illustrate the point Of view
taken Of the making OF the great west
Matorialism Is the most obtrusivo feature
OF a cursory observation, but Il does no
interest one so much M the forces tina
undcrlic II, the enterprise and the Joyous
ness Of conquest and achievement that /
stands for, or tho finer processes evolved
in the marvellous building up OF new
societies. What is the spirit, what Is the
civilization Of the west?' have not the
presumption to expect to answer these
large questions to any ones satisfaction
least Of all TO my own-but II ] may be per
mitted to talk about them familiarity, in
the manner that one speaks TO his friends
OF what Interested him most in Journey,
and with flexibility in passing
from one topic to another,
shall hope 10 contribute something
to better understanding between the ter
riiories OF n vast empire. How vast this
republic is no one can at all appreciate
who does not actually travel over lis wide
areas. To many OF us the west IL still the
west OF tho Biographies OF thirty years
ago; il is the simple truth TO say that COM
paratiyely few eastern people have any
adequate conception of what lies west Of
Chicago and ~. Louis perhaps a hazy
geographical notion OF IL, but not the faint.
est idea OF It's civilization and society.
Now, good understanding of each other
between the great sections OF the republic
Is politically OF the first importance. We
shall hang together as nation; blood, 10.
lationsbip, steel rails, navigable waters,
trade, absence OF natural boundaries, set.
tic that. We shall pull and push aud
grumhle, we shall yiluperate each other,
parties viii continue TO make capital out OF
sectional prejudice, and wantonly inilamc
u what u pitiiul sort Of ''poitics"
that IL. but We shall stick together like
wax. Still, anything like smooth working
OF our political machine depends upon
good understanding between sections.
And the remark applies to cast and west.
M well rs TO north and south. Ii is a com.
mon remark nj the west that eastern peo-
pie know nothing about U.S. they think us
half civilized" and there Is mingled with
slight irritability ut this ignorance n WAX.
ing feeling Of superiority over tho east In
ionce and power. One would not say that
IMPOSE rs yet goes along with this sense OF
great capacity and great achievement; in.
deed, u Is inevitable that in a condition Of
development, aud Of quick growth unpar.
alleled in the history OF the world there
should be abundant salf-asscrlion and even
boastiulncss
when the western man goes cast he car
rics the Consciousness Of playing a great
part IN the making OF an empire; his hori-
ron Is large; but he finds himself sur
rounded by an atmosphere al indifference
or noncomprcheDsion OF the prodigious-
ness OF his country, Of incrcduliiy rs 10 the
'chncment and luxury of his civilization,
nd scli-a~eriion Is his natural defense.
This longitudinal incrcdulity and swacyer
J curious phenomenon. London thinks
few York puts ON airs. New York com
'lains OF Chicago's want 81 modcsty. Chi
ago can SEQ that Kansas City and Omaha
ne aggrcssively boastful. and these cities
cknowlelgo the expansive self.apprecia-
ion ii Denver and Helena.
Does going west work a radical differ
nee in y mans character Hardly. We
10 all cut out OF the same piece Of cloth.
he western man II the eastern or the
outhern man let loose, with his leading.
trings cut. Hut the change of situation
roaics immense diversity In interests and
n spirit One has but 10 take M any OF
he great newspapers, say In ~. Paul or
10 be aware that he IA In
mother world Of ideas, Of news, OF inter.
sits The topics that most interest the
'ast he docs not hnd there. nor much Of
Is nova Persons of whom he rcad- daily
n the cast drop out OF sight, and other
pcrsons. magnatcs in politics, hacking.
loom mp. II takes columns 10
ell the daily history Of places which have
heretofore only caught the attention OF the
,nstern reader for freaks OF the thermome.
er, and he has an opportunity 10 rad
laily pages about Dakota, concerning
which a weekly paragraph has formerly
satisfied his curiosity. Before he can l,e
absorbed In these lively and intelligent
he must change the whole
Of his thoughts, aud take up other
subjects, persons, and places than those
HAT have occupied his mind. lie Il in a
new world.
One Of the most striking facts IN the
vest " State pride, attachment 10 the
State, the profound bcliefof every citizen
hat his State u the best. Engcnderd
perhaps at tiut by a permanent invest
ncnt and the spur Of selfinicrest, Il speed.
ly becomes passion, "a strong In tho
newest state as Il IN In any one Of the orig.
nal thirteen. Rivalry between cities Is
harp. AMI civic pride Is excessive. but
10Th arc outdonc by tho largcr devotion 10
he commonwealth. And this pride IA de.
'el0ped In the inhabitants OF Territory
- soon NJ u Ia organized. Montane -.
~. .,.s sS.,....asy achievements OF A
cniury into twonty yeau. and loyalty 10
is present andcxpcctation Of It's fulure are
II strong In In citizens a. Is tho attach.
ncnt al men oi Massachusetts 10 the State |
4 nearly three centuries Of growth. In |
Nebnrka WIS pleased with the talk Of a |
clergyman who had Just returned from
hroe months travel In Europe.
ie was full Of his novel |
he had greatly enjoyed the |
RIP; but he was glad 10 get back 10 |
Nebraska and liz full, vigorous lie. In |
England aud ON the continent he had |
cen much 10 interest him; but he could |
rot help comparing Europe with Ncbras-
IA, and ~ Tor him, this was the substance
II II. Give him Nebraska every time.
What astonishcd him most, and wounded |
Ne feeling land there was note Of palhos
n his statement Of ~, was the general
- a.