Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. II.djvu/263

Rh existence, and take the initiative in popular progress and in social life!”

There is here, however, vigorous life, Agatha, and vigorous life must make itself felt, otherwise so young a state could not become a leader; nevertheless the leaders here have not gone farther than to school, and the education of schools, which, as the principal requirement for the people, is on the right system; and beyond that the American mind has in a general way not advanced.

But it must advance farther still if it would reach the fountain-heads—the springs of life, wherefrom peoples and states ought to drink the renewing life of youth!

The State of Wisconsin is merely two years old. A very hopeful “baby” of the West, is it not? Seventeen years since the State first became territory; and it is only three or four years since the last great battle was fought in the country with the Indians, and their brave chief, Black Hawk. He and his people were finally taken captive on these prairies, and carried as trophies to New York. There are now no longer Indians in Wisconsin: its white population is rapidly on the increase. Wisconsin has no hills, but on all sides uncultivated, and for the most part fertile land, abounding in lakes and rivers. It is a state for agriculture and the rearing of cattle; the land in many parts, however, and in particular around Madison, where it is appropriated by the Federal government to the supplying an income to the State's university, is already very dear. It has been purchased by speculators at the government-price, a dollar and quarter per acre, and resold by them for not less than ten or twelve dollars per acre.

“And who will give so much for it?” inquired I, of Chancellor Lathrop.

“Your countrymen,” replied he, quickly. “Your countrymen, whose sons will be freely educated at our University.”