The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-02-11


nifty, with respect to the immense yield of gold in
California. Men are apt to be misled, always,
when the enterprise Of the world takes sudden
direction into any one channel Of trade. All his
tory confirms this truth-while the chagrin, disap-
peintment, blasted hopes, and misery of thousands
ought to have enforced II, potently, upon society.
Mankind, however, are slow to learn lessons by
the past, or to studiousy inquire into those broad
and immutabls principles of commerce which are
never changed, though they may be concealed for
time by the brilliant and exciting phenomena at
tending business speculatons of gigantic charac-
ter. We have depicted, already, the tendency to
impusive movements induced by the large impor-
tation of gold lately arrived. We have shown
with what speed new State, as figured upon her
SEAL has sprung to birth, like the golden-breasted
Minerva from the brain Of Jove-and have urged
the Importance of introducing her into the Oym-
plan circle of the Union magnificent in the beautl-
full energies Of her youth.
II is now our duty, as it is pleasure, with the
calmness of philosophical reason, to consider seve-
raj interesting points, the examination OF which
may not be without a healthfu and Invgorating
influence upon society, If the deductions arrived
at be such as truth does not Invadate and expert
ence establishes. What great points, then, direct
the mind on this question Evidently these-la-
Dor, capital, resources and facilities for transport
ing products The first and most Important OF
these, without which nothing could be effected,
is labor A solid mountain Of gold, without labor
exerted upon it, would be useless. When the
hand Of labor touches it, movement takes place
at distance-the electric wire of trade vibrates,
and capital is moved Labor and capital, then,
are the two main pioneers in the work and in pro-
portion to the assistance that capital gives labor,
by placing the latter on the field Of exertion, will
be the extent of the production that Is to benefit
mankind. Yet all this would be Of no avail, with
out the facilities for transporting the products of
labor for distribution throughout the earth
In this succinct view of the subject, then, we
have de6nitive and fixed positions from which to
start and it is evident that to increase the int
Of labor at the mines is the first great deslderatum.
1t that and that alone, that increases individual
or national treasure, and unless it be placed there,
capital cannet extend its operations a single jot
beyond supplying the wants and luxures which
that labor demands The whole hope, therefore,
of California is IN her miners. The earth is the
source of her wealth, and her laborers the cause
of 1t. Emigration to that region, then, is desra-
ble-nay, 1t is necessary; and he who Is fitted for
toll and exposure cannot fail to work out tor him.
self, by direced labor, the means of happiness.
The idle, the thoughtless and the dissoute, as they
produce nothing, are worse than useless there.
They may exist for a time, by gambling, and fancy
themselves to be making money; but they will only
stand in the position of a man shaking one bag of
gold into another. The merchant has a better
field. He will prosper precisely in proportion to
the demand for goods created by labor. When
- abaI re
recede, and losses will inevitably ensue. Thus 1t
has been overland thus ever will 1t be, while
the grass grows and rivers run. II the tide of la
Dor flows strongly towards the mines, and their
yield be abundant, the result would be happy one,
yet only precisely as il would be, were the labor
employed in anything else demanded by the nations
of the earth AL the world is one great mine of
wealth. of which labor holds the keys, and the
treasure Of which labor and capital distribute.
While the demand continues-and there is no dam
ger of its cessation-labor will not be employed in
VAN II will enrich itself-and always in proper
ton TO its ability TO save its earnings.
The requirements Of the occasion, then, are ia
c,llties Of communication with California, other
things being equal; and we would urge the necessi
ty of some effort towards furnishing the means Of
safely transporting labor into, and products out OF,
the golden region, with all possible speed Thou
sal DIS painting for opportunities TO exert their
labor in the mines, and they should be gratihed.
Let the good work go on. II labor cannot be
spurIed to exer,ion except in gold mines, In Hea-
yen's name let il have full Roadway there, where
il can can find its stimulus. Great good may
suit TO mankind from the Indictment incident to
these discoveries. II would seem TO be a special
Providence that has opened this great reservoir OF
wealth, to oyerturn those laughable ideal forms Of
society which the general peace OF the world has
contributed to establish in the minds OF the mes
merle and transcendental doctors OF the age. =
INTERNATIONAL POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS. The
period has arrived when our government ought to
direct liberal measure Of their attention TO the
bssi means Of regulating postal affairs with foreign
countries. II is evident that we are far behind
Great Britain, in consulting the wishes Of the pub
lic and in extending the facilities for commercial
intercourse, by postal treaties with foreign States
There should be more skill and generaship exer-
csed IN this department OF the public service, even
from the correction Of the constant careessness
and loose manner Of doing business in our metro
poliian and provincial offices, TO the regulation and
Establishment Of some definiuve and simple plas
by which letters can be conveyed to every part of
the globe.
The complaints are loud and deep with respect
% the Deficiencies Of our present contemptbly mar
row system; and ii the reports Of our couniymen
abroad are correci-and they are, we think, to be
relied upon-even the late treaties with Great
Britain and Germany fall far short Of satisfying the
pubic desire. On this subject, distinguished cor.
respondent thus addresses the Herald -
Mr.. Epuos;-
During my four years residence In Switzerland dur
ing which tine wsss subscriber the Herald Il never
mirsed cnce. SO much for the English aud French
post oficss through which they had 10 pass
While on this sheet, permit me 20 make known TO
you an i'm portapt fact
our poet Office department makes known that let.
ters b. the British American steamers be pre-
raid in this country o. different parts q Germany
Switzerland &c This may be the case; but II does
not prevent persor receiving such letters In Europe
from being obliged to par the and inland postage
sgain receit ed, myself more than dozen such LEI.
tiers prepaid In full 70 their Destinations Tut Ia every
inftancewas obliged 20 par seain thought at frst
az. -. A.. 49,