Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-03-05
THE DEPARTURE,
THE ADVENTURES & THEIR HOPES

''The keen spirit
SelEes the present occasion"
'I.at us be up and doing
With heart for any fate"
"The bubble brghtens-catch it now
Before it bursts and. disappears"
Proverbial as our conntrys is for impulse and
enterprise, these feelings have never been 60 fully
illustrated as since the discovery of gold in the
recently acquired territory Of California. 1.-The
fever is up" and thousands are at this moment
on their way to the modern Ell Dorado The
a9gen'urers. too. are not confined to the reckless
and improvident-to individuals bankrupt in
character and in fortune, but among them are
choice splrIts-actlve, earnest, industrious and
high-mlnded young men, who see in this discovery
"a golden opportunity" and who are determined
to take advantage OF a tide that appears 80 es-
pecally calculated to lead on to fortune. Many
no doubt have departed with delusive hopes and
extravagant expectations. Others excited and be-
wildered, have dashed into the enterprise without
an adequate calculation as to all the risks and
trials, the perils by sea and land, the dangers to
health, the difficulties of the way and the fearful
sickness that is apt to steal upon the heart, when
friends, horne, and beings loved dearer than life
are far, far away. There are others again, who
haze calculated the chances, who have embarked
in cool, calm and somewhat reluctant spirit
but still with determination to tax every energy
to realize something in the way Of pecuniary in
dependence.
They perhaps had but dull prospect at home.
could discover no avenue to prosperity and could
merely, by constant toll exc out g reputable live
hood. Better" they have argued, "make one
bold venture. Better leave home and its sacred
enjoyments for few months or few years in the
hope either of returning enriched, Or after having
discovered some more cheering path to indepen-
denee if not to wealth." Others, again have gone
in wild and reckless spirit, with no fully ma
tured plan, and careless alike of the present and
ofthe future. They love excitement, adventure
are impulslve, rash-and hence have embarked
while laboring under the fever Of the hour, and
because friends and companions We're about to form
members otwhat they regarded as good company
I'LL have our best wishes for success and pros
perity--for full realization of their brightest
hopes, and an early return to family and friends
But the adventures must nerve their hearts for
many trials. Success may prove worse for some
of them than failure. The possession of gold may
destroy, because it may unninge the mind, induce
spirit of dissipation, habits of idleness and thus
bring disease, death, and premature grave! 1t
is therefore that we utter word of caution es,sd
Of icasn,ng.
The strong man when he goes forth to battle,
provides himself with many essentials of physical
protection and snstenance. lie must have wea-
pons Of defence, supplies Of ammunition, provis-
ions and clothing suited to the climate, to the
| winds and rains, the dews and the sunshine, to
which he is about to subject himself. How much
more necessary moral panopoy Of defence and
sustenance to the adventurer
Many of the ''ontward bound" have entered
upon the first great enterprise of their lives The
distance, too, is thousands of miles 1t cannot
ho Al bod tb, .rol
months unless the speediest and most expensive
means of conveyance be resorted to. A year at
least must pass by, before any reasonable expec-
taiion of return may be INDUCED. 4 gear! 1t
seems but brief and fleeing period to those who
are at home, and in daily communion with friends
| and relatives, or to the old man who, in the de-
cline of life, looks back to his days of boyhood,
and wonders that time has passed with such ra
pidity. But how different with the young, the
confdlng, the affectonate, who have left Tor the
first time the haunts Of all their purest pleasures,
the scenes of all their Innocent delights, the fond
mother never thought Of but with tenderness, the
cherished father never recollected but with ad-
mlratlon and respect, the gentle sister, or, still
nearer and dearer, the young and devoted wife
"One hurried kiss-one last, one long embrace
One yearning look upon her fearful face
And he was gone, and like funeral knell,
The winds still sigl'd-beloved farewell!'
How long the days, the weeks, and the months
how long the weary days of absence must seem
to such How the heart must yearn homeward
as the vessel recedes from the shore of the native
town, or, as thousands of miles apart, the memory
wanders back, and like spirit hovers over the
hauns of boyhood, and the household that contains
to the wanderer everything of human affection
Several vessels have departed from our port
within few days. Crowds on these occasions
thronged the wharves, the light laugh and the
merry jest We're heared from the lockers on, and
among the adventures We're not few who
smiled last farewell, and joined in the hearty
shout that thrilled like the peal Of trumpet, as
the vessels were parted from their fastenings.-
But there were other and sadder scenes Gentle
ness and love had their homes In some of those
daring hearts, and the voice trembled with emo
ton, and the eye filled with tears, as fair white
hand was clasped for the last time or sacred kiss
was Impressed upon cheeks that paled at the
thoughts and associations Of that tender, passion
ate, and yet sorrow traught moment. The mother
parted from her son, the husband from his wife,
the lover from his betrohed, and the very effort
to subdue and suppress emotion, to check and re-
strain the overfiowings of the heart, only render
ed the agony the deeper We will not attempt
to describe these scenes. But all who have part
ed from the object of affection, parted, perhaps,
never to return, may well conceive the emotions
that Were felt if not expressed God guide and
guard the wanderers! May they, while away,
prove handful ofshemselves and their duties, and
not torgetiul of the fond beings-the gentle, the
faithful, who will watch with keen Impotence
for every line of intelligence that relates to them
will rejoice at their welfare, sympa!hise with their
reverses, and ''come veal or come VICE." be pre-
pared TO give them a warm hearted welcome
whenever They return!-Phila. Inquirer.
YOUNG MEN BEWARE.