Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1849-12-21

4 Puty w oc pusHou w oPeCuy SopPiS
ltion. 1911
Going TO California i'm the Spring.
We regret to see disposition mani
tested on the part Of several Of our best
citizens to join the current Of California
emigration, which, from present indica-
tons, bids fair in the spring, to roll in a
tide stronger than that of last season to-
! wards the shores of the Pacific. At
least we have seen quite number of pa
tents, who, if we are judges Of the symp-
toms of the malady, bid fair TO get no
better fast. We fear that neither the
tolls, hardships, or dangers of the
journey, the unfavorable reports Of the
disappointed adventures of the present
season, the allurements of home, wife,
or friends, will deter our enterprisng
citizens from engaging in this most won
derful movement. When will the ever
restless, grasping desires, mania we
should say, Of our countrymen for ad-
ventures become satisfied! When will
they settle down into the natural and le-
climate presents of life! When will
they be satisfied with the beautiful and
lproductive land where their lot has been
cast, and be disposed cheerfully, hope
fully and courageously, to engage with
all their energies, in developing its, re-
sources, lettering its condition, and in
Producing into it the improvements and
discoveries of The ages When will they
learn that all is not gold that glistens, and
that too much may be paid for the whistle!
We certainly wish well to all Califor-
mans. We wish them the most unbonn-
ded success and a speedy return, with
their pockets full of rocks. But we have
misgivings in regard to the effects of the
emigration both upon the country and
upon the individuals engaged in it. The
excitement and allurement resulting from
1t, have already unsettled the public mind,
and interrupted the prosecution of the
regular employments of society; men in-
genious, industrious. capable and enter
prising, whose labor, public spirit and in
huence constitutes no inconsiderable
portion of the capital Of the country,
have become dissatisfied, and will soon
Withdraw themselves, with most Of their
available means, to another, and 10 us, a
foreign field of exertion. This is the
most serious loss we could sustain, and
we cannot see how it can ever be made
good TO us. 100000 persons, many
of them among our best citizens. is not
high estimate for the emigration of the
last and the ensuing season, by all the
numerous routes Of access to the Edo
RADIO. $500 is probably the lowest ay-
erage amount of money which they will
withdraw from the actual capital of the
community; and the loss of their servic-
es cannot amount to a less sum per an
mum, making $4O,0OO,OOO with the adj
diton of s4O,OOO.OOO per year for pro-
ductive labor Withdrawn. Nor is this
all of the debit side of the account; no
l Il
inconsiderable item is found in the iniu-
ry produced by the unsettled state of the
public mind, always causing embarrass-
ment, dampening energy, lettering enter
prise and holding back the arm of effort.
Look, also, at the eflec. likely to be pro-
duced upon the character of the emf
grants them selves. Itcannot but be IN.
favorable, at least to a very great extent.
Some it will not injure; but the great
mass, it must and viii. All will be
thrown outof business here; several years
of the best portion of their lives will be
lost; their habits of regular and system
| dbfC dppAC0tiOu W UuSlllcSS VIII DC UIO'
ken up; and, if they do not contract hab-
its Of idiencss, dissipation, gaming, as il
is to be feared many will; they will find
it very difficult ever to return to their
previous favorable position and profita-
BILE pursuits. - ta1. s.
! But our friends are in pursuit Of gold!
They expect TO become at once, and to
the utmost limit of human desire, veal.
thy! We trust they will; but we cannot
escape from the conclusion that $50, 900 !
900 is large sum, and that they must
enjoy good health; work hard; fare
roughly; and scratch gravel most indus
triously to pay themselves and thei
country the first cost; the profits, W,
think, when the balance is fairly
struck, will be found to be exceedingly
small.
/ Acq initial Of Childs.