“So far from that being the case, we give notice that in those branches of business which we find most profitable, we intend from year to year to increase our holdings. Those of us who have been in the habit of visiting the growing West, know its resources, and propose, as heretofore, to continue to assist in its development--largely under your management. “We do not care to prophesy where the centre of this great country will be a century hence. The important point is, that the country, as a whole, shall increase its power, its population, its wealth; that its people shall be intelligent and homogeneous in character; and, above all, that the country shall have a government that is good and strong. I lived in Minnesota when St. Paul had a population of about 5,000. At our social gatherings we frequently took a census, and always found that every State in the East was represented by persons present. The East is the father, and grandfather, and great-grandfather of the West. The telegraph, the railroad, the telephone, and the cable have made us all neighbors! “Webster, in one of his great speeches, said of South Carolina and Massachusetts: ‘Shoulder to shoulder they went through the Revolution; hand in hand they stood around the Administration of Washington, and felt his strong arm lean upon them for support.’ We may paraphrase this expression, and say that with the rapid development of each section of the country, it is most important that the East and the West, the North and the South, shall, if necessary, march shoulder to shoulder in defence of the country, hand in hand stand around every good Administration in time of trouble, and rejoice if the strong arm of the Executive shall lean upon all for support!” After we had enjoyed this treat and all expressed our appreciation of it, we looked out upon the beauties of a Kansas moonlight night. The charm was too much for us. In a moment we were upon the street. Electric light was everywhere, making night almost as bright as day. The long line of beautifully decorated show windows of the large stores reminded us of home. Mr. Blanchard had secured elegant rooms for our party at the Brunswick, but most of us preferred our cosy apartments on the “Dalmatia.” We were all up bright and early, after a good night’s sleep. This Kansas atmosphere is wonderful. It makes one sleep at night in spite of himself, and such an appetite as it does give. As we came from the breakfast table we found elegant carriages awaiting us. Each bank sent out either its President or Cashier to help entertain us. [Illustration: RIVERSIDE SALT WORKS, HUTCHINSON, KANSAS.]