Saturday morning visitor., 1849-01-13
From The 81. Louis Union, 5th inst.
THE CALIFORNIA FEVER.

ILL NhAAE OAelNlh II - EAbs
The inordinate excitement now prevail
ing throughout the whole country, caused
by the recent discovery of the great min
eral wealth Of California, partakes not a
little Of that speculative feeling which has
at times heretofore prevailed, producing
disappointment TO many and ruin TO some.
The result has generally been, that few
have amassed large fortunes, while the
condition Of the great mass has been rem.
dered infinitely worse than before. Ruin,
destitution and misery, TO an enormous ex-
tent, have too frequently been the conse-
quences of those speculative .manias. z
Indeed, il seems to us beyond proba5il-
ity, that any scheme could be invented,
or any natural circumstances occur, by
which any great number Of persons might
suddenly become possessed Of large wealth,
in cases where competition is open 10 all
alike.
he effect Of the present excitement, we
much fear, will be, the disappointment Of
thousands, if not the ruin Of themselves
and families. We allude particularly to
those who may be induced 10 sacrifice their
property, and the solid comforts of life,
accumulated by years of toll, for the un-
certain prospect Of gain in the Ell Dorado
Of the West.
II would be folly to question the great
wealth of California in the precious met
ais, but 1t should not be forgotten that gold
cannot purchase happiness, nor always the
| f,,rf Of If ,.,L.N ...I.,~
be the accumulation Of thousands of dol
lars worth Of gold dust, if with it the ne
ccssaries Of existence could not be pur-
chased, save at an enormous price, or if
hy its requirement, health and ease must
be sacrificed, and social intercourse for
gotten? Before another year the bright
prospect may change. misery and destilu-
tion be seen in its stead.
A large proportion Of those who will
elnigrate TO California with the early
Spring, will sacrifice their all of disposa-
BILE means 10 get there. They will arrh
destitute, in a land OF adventurers, whose
better sympathies have been blun,ed, if
not obliterated, by The engrossing idea Of
individual gain. Without the immediate
means of sustaining themselves, discsm-
forts must at every point bsset ther.-
Without friends 10 call on for relief, and
disappointed in the sudden acquisition of
wealth. the condition of such must become
miserable in the extreme.
1t is supposed that not less than hun
dred thousand persons will emigrate to
California during the next twelve months.
| OF all these, perhaps moi more'ahan one
thousand will go there with tbs intention
of following any Of the ordinary trades or
pursuits of life. The great mass will ex-
pect 10 become wealthy by finding gold.
Now, can any rational being, who is not
grievOusly afflicted with the gold fever,
suppose for one moment, that there is any
spot on the face Of this earth, where one
hundred thousand persons could enrich
themselves, within any reasonable time,
BY picking upgold? Let us suppose that
the California gold regions are even rich
er than these discovered in Mexico, by
CoRr Es, or in Peru, by PlzARRo. Yet il
would be well to recollect that but a mere
handful of all who accompanied or i6llow-
ed those daring adventurers acquired any
considerable wealth.
We are glad 10 see that The press is be-
ginning TO raise its warning voice, and
trust that many will thereby, be induced
10 think twice before they make sacrifice
of their property, and abandon those pur-
suits in which they are now making a
comfortable support, to follow what may
prove a phantom. -, .
That California must become a power
ful, wealthy and prosperous State, no one
can doubt. That large and wealthy city
will soon rise on the shores Of the Bay Of
San Francisco, is equally beyond reason-
able doubt. To all who desire to emf
CRATE to California, 10 engage in commerce,
agriculture or manufactures, 60. say we,
by all means. Garry with you the enter
prise, the industry, and the perseverance
of The Anglo-Saxon race, and you will d.
well. The field is anoble one for all such.
But he who goes 10 California. not to pro-
duce wealth BY following some useful call
ing, but to acquire riches by picking up
| gold, will embark in = lottery, in which
there are very many blanks to every prize.
The gold win, after all, soon find its way
into the hands Of the keen spscnlatOr, or
the industrious and prudent trader, or far
mer. Gold never remains long in ihe
hands Of those who pick it up without
much trouble. ItgeAerslly goes about as
easy as il comes. To those who are now
enjoying all de comforts. aud many Of the
lnxfies Of liie. we would raise the warn
ing yOice--"Le, well enough alone
Just consider hundred thousand per-
sons engaged in washing sand, in search
Of small particles Of gold. how mach
would probably fall 10 the lol Of eaoh.dhep
The delusion consisls in this each one