21

II

"The true Western man is free, fearless, generous and chivalrous. Of this class Hon. Wm. F. Cody, 'Buffalo Bill,' is a bright representative. As a part of his rushing career he has brought together material for what he correctly terms a Wild West Reality. The idea is not merely to take in money from those who witness a very lively exhibition, but to give the people in the East a correct representation fo life on the plains, and the incidental life of the hardy, brave, intelligent pioneers, who are the first to blaze the way to the future homes and greatness of America. He knows the worth and sturdiness of true Western character, and, as a lover of his country, wishes to present as many facts as possible to the public, so that those who will can see actual pictures of life in the West, brought to the East for the inspection and education of the public.

"'Buffalo Bill' has brought the Wild West to the doors of the East. There is more of real life, of genuine interest, of positive education in this startling exhibition than I have ever seen, and it is as true to nature and life as it really is with those who are smoothing the way for millions to follow. All of this imaginary Romeo and Juliet business sinks to utter insignificance in comparison to the drama of existence that is here so well enacted, and all the operas in the world appear like pretty playthings for emasculated children by the side of the setting of reality and the music of the frontier so faithfully and extensively presented and so cleverly managed by this incomparable representative of Western pluck, coolness, bravery, independence and generosity. I wish every person east of the Missouri River could see this true, graphic picture of wild Western life; they would know more and think better of the genuine men of the West.

"I wish there were more progressive educators like Wm. F. Cody in this world.

"He deserves well for his efforts to please and to instruct in matters important to America and incidents that are passing away never more to return."

Could a man now living have stood on the shore of the Red Sea, and witnessed the passage of the children of Israel and the struggle of Pharaoh and his hosts, what a sight he would have seen, and how interested would be those to whom he related the story. Could the man who stood on the shore to see Washington and his soldiers cross the Delarware have lived till now to tell the sotry, what crowds he would have to listen. How interesting would be the story of a man, if he were now living, who had witnessed the landing of Columbus on the shores of the New World, or the story of one of the hardy English Puritans who took passage on the "Mayflower," and landed on the rock-bound coast of New England. So, too, of the angel who has seen the far West become tame and dotted under the advancing civilization as the pioneers fought their way westward into desert and jungle. What a story he can relate as to the making of that history. And what a history America has. to be sure! From the mouth of the Hudson River to the shores of the Pacific, men, woman and children have conquered the wilderness by going to the front and staying there--not by crowding into cities and living as do worms, by crawling through each other and devouring the leavings.

Since the railroad gave its aid to pioneering, America is making history father than any