Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-04-20

Free High School, and shows the ex
cellent training which the pupils OF
that institution are receiving. The
sentences are well constructed, words
chosen with discrimination and the
theme naturally developed.-Ed.
After the college student has grad
uated he turns to seek the place
where he al pursue, with the great
est possibility of success, his chosen
work in life. In the past the direction
in which he would turn was determin-
ed a great deal by the nature of his
occupation. If he had chosen a pro-
fessional career, such as law. or med
icine, or art, he would naturally go
east to the older, more thickly set
tied portions of the country, while the
farmer or business man would seek
new fields. In the future the college
graduate will find the most and best
opportunities for almost any career
in the west.
The process by which the western
portion of the United States will be-
come the home of a civilization as
important as that to be found in New
England or the Middle Atlantic states
is yet in It's first stages. The most
rapid part of such a movement nat
urally comes at the first. Less than
a century ago almost all of the great
west was an unknown wilderness.
The first rush of people to these new
regions was caused by the gold ex-
element. Now this stimulous has
been removed many years and the
migratory movement that has taken
its place. while much slower, is more
certain. The plan of the early pio-
neer or miner was to come west,
make his fortune and then return to
the east to enjoy the Injuries of civ
llization. Now, the great population
that is moving westward is coming
to stay and to bring with it the civ
iliZation of older regions.
The first natural division of this
movement is the coming of the ag-
ricultural population. The miners,
while they came first. were no impor-
tant civilizing factor. The majority
of those who came, hoping to secure
of fortune in the gold fields. became
farmers or stock growers. The first
requisite of an agricultural people is
land, and their natural movement is
toward the region where land is
cheapest and most abundant.
And this agricultural population
has brought, or is bringing with 1t,
the more distinct marks of civiliza-
ton. Towns, or centers OF agricul.
tural communities. are built, and, in
the course Of years. develop into
large and important cities. Commerce
and commercial facilities appear as
they are needed, new industries are
formed, and finally art, science and
literature find their place, and then
the progress of civilization Is simply
the process of time.
This movement has reached differ
ent stages in different sections. Ne
braska and the Dakotas are settled
by an agricultural population, while
portions of Wyoming and Montana
are still a wilderness. These differ
ent conditions call for different kinds
of men and offer opportunities for
various careers. New conditions and
new countries offer a stimulus to the
man who would carve for himself Q
name, and here are found, too, the
opportunities of being the first of
profession in new communities.
The western boy, the pioneers son
no matter what kind of a life he ha!
an inclination for, can find a place
for himself somewhere near hi
home. Although he must, perhaps
go east to get the best preparation
for his life's work, he will find hi
best chance for a successful careeI
in the land of his boyhood. the lane
of opportunity.