Overland journeys to the Pacific; West (U.S.) -- Description and travel
This is only the natural and fitting outcome of the bungling,
incomplete bill which, rushed through at the hot, hurried end of a
session, authorized the opening of this territory. The President
might with equal judgment have proclaimed that “The silver vaults of
the United States Treasury will be opened on the 22d of April, when
citizens can enter in and take away one hundred and sixty silver
dollars each,” without providing laws to prevent or punish those who
entered before that date, or those who snatched more than their share.
One would think that some distinction might have been made, in opening
this new land, between those who came with family and money and stock,
meaning to settle permanently, and those who took the morning train
from Kansas in order to rush in and snatch a holding, only to sell it
again in three hours and to return to their homes that night; between
those who brought capital, and desperadoes and “boot-leggers” who came
to make capital out of others. If the land was worth giving away, it
was worth giving to those who would make the best use of it, and worth
surrounding with at least as much order as that which distinguishes the
fight of the Harvard Seniors for the flowers on Class day. They are
going to open still more territory this spring, and in all probability
the same confusion will arise and continue, and it is also probable
that many persons in the East may be attracted by the announcements and
advertisements of the “boomers” to this new land.
The West is always full of hope to the old man as well as to the young
one, and the temptation to “own your own home” and to gain land for the
asking is very great. But the Eastern man should consider the question
very carefully. There is facing the passenger who arrives on the New
York train at Sedalia a large black and white sign on which some
philanthropist has painted “Go East, Young Man, Go East.” One might
write pages and not tell more than that sign does, when one considers
where it is placed and for what purpose it is placed there.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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