The state herald., 1890-04-18
the star of Icm
plrc."

How truly wonderful in extent and
progress is the western half of this
great Nation-spelled with Il big n.
1t possesses all the diversified interests
and industries which go to make Il
prosperous people. More especially is
it the land of individual homes, where
the people have their own heritage of
land. 1t is here you find the typical
American farmer. Without doubt the
tiller of the soil justly ranks not only
rs the Oldest but among the most i'm
portant and necessary occupations OF
mankind. lie must needs not only
provide himself Il livelihood, but also
furnish sustenance for the people en-
gagged In all the other occupations Of
life, so that lie must be justly regarded
a positively Indispensable factor in our
whole material economy. In no land
are the farmers as skilled. intelligent
and energetic us in this free land of
ours. The progress made in that eX-
tensive tract Of country known as the
public domain is due principally to the
beneilcent land system adopted by the
General Government to those appro-
printing It's lands. Instead of large
holdings like the landed estates nf
Europe, which only the very wealthy
may enjoy, there is here none so humble
or so poor but can obtain Il home with
out money and without price, except
the nominal fee rs in homesteads or
tree claims. In pre-emption cases,
where the residence qualification Is
abridged to only six months, 1t mus;
be expected that something more should
be paid for the privilege. The public
land is thus made to revert to those to
whom 1t br!ongs-thc people and
history fails to furnish precedent
abounding in such pronounced liberali-
ty. The Government adopted wise
policy when 1t gave to the people the
inalienablc right to acquire Il certain
large slice Of Uncle Sans great Na.
tional farm, upon complying with GER
tain imposed conditions. 1t was u judi
cious movement apon the part Of the
Government, which reflects credit up
on the powers which created and car
ried these systems into practical effect.
Willie the Government gave much II
also received much. rlie almost III.
Imiiable expanse which for untold ages
had been under the domination Of the
aboriglnes, became populated and cult.
waited by sturdy pioneers, who braved
all hardships and surmounted the In.
Vulnerable difficulties incident TO front.
Ter life. They counted the cost and
bravely took the chances, for they were
not slow to recognize that the new
Eldorado contained the most prolific
soil, hcalthful climate and grandest
possibilities anywhere TO be found on
the Gods great footstool. Travel over
this country to-day and behold the
phenomenal transformation. The wild
and raw prairie Is teeming with the
richest fertility, the drcary desert lias
been reclaimed md made to blossom
M the rose, tho treeless wastes have
become clothed with verdurc, produc.
Ing health, wealth and vigor, the
streams urc frcightcd with produce
nnd merchandise. This new land has
been thoroughly subjected 10 the Use
and pleasure Of nm entcrprlslng, reso.
Lutte army of settlers who have virtually
transformed an almost limitless waste
Into u great and grand empire, peoplcd
with citizens Of thrift, education, cul.
lurc and Retirement, who have oxemp.
lilied In the highest possible degree the
certain truth Of the oft-repeaicG max.
i'm westward the star Of empire takes
Its way" When We come 10 size mp
this itnly great aud granJly glorious
western empire, consider tho aston.
ishing progress II has made and Is now
making, together with the great and
inevitable future TINT is assuredly In
store for II, we arc lost IN amazemeDt
aud admiration. The settler has made
this country what II Is today nnd what
II is capable Of becoming n fnctwhich
uliull ever rcdonn,f 10 thsircredlc.