The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-07-04
VOL. w..

wiii. Our author estimates that nearly one third
OF the emigrants are unified for their vOcato,
miserable, melancholy men, ready to yield m
their last breath at any moment, who left homo
prematureiy, and now humbly acknowledge their
error" His own happy constitution and buov.
ant health led him to look on the best sids a,
things, and TO take the sunnest possible view ~
the condition Of the new country he was exn,or
ing, but occasionally he reveals incidentally the
reverse Of the picture. Here is a sketch of a sick
miner at Sacramento City, which is enough 10
make even California " gold become dim, and the
fine gold changed
lie was sitting alone ON a zone hasida ,ko
water win MS bare feet purple with cold ON the
ooiu' wei sahd. lie was wrapped from head N
foot IN coarse blanket, which shook with ,ho
violence OF his chill as II his limbs we're .hon, 80
drop In pieces. He seemed unconscious 81 all
that was passing; his long matted hair hung oysr
his wasted face; his eyes glared steadily forwarJ
with an expression 30 utterly hopeless and will
that shuddered at seeing IL. This was but ons
of number of Uses, equally sad and dstres,inaS
The hardy and healthy portion of the emf.
grants, under the stimulating excitements Of ,ho
novel circumstances Of their situation, seemed 70
revel in the exuberance Of animal spirits. Each
seemed to have adopted the rule of the wise man
Whatsoever thy hand fndeth to do, that a.
with all thy might" They speculated, dug. Or
gambled, with an almost reckless energy. An
old forms Of courtesy had given place to hearty
blunt good fellowship in their social intercourse
They reminded our traveller of the Jarls and
Morse ses-kngs, and in the noisy and almost
fierce revelry Of these bearded gold.hunters
around their mountain fires, he seemed TO see the
brave and jovial Berseckers of the middle ages
We cannot forbear quoting paragraph in re-
lation to the great question Of our time, 1.-THE
Organization of Labor"
"In California no model phalanxes or national
workshops have been necessary. Labor has or
gsnized itself, in the best possible way The
dream Of attractive industry is realized all are
laborers, and equally respectable the idler and
the gentleman Of leisure, to use phrase Of the
country cant shine in these diggings' Rich
merchandise lies in the open street and untold
wealth in gold dust Is protected only by ragged
canvass walls, but thefts and robbery are seldom
heard Of The rich returns Of honest labor render
harmless temptations which would prove an over.
match for the average virtue Of New England
=
their occupation useless, anu become chevaliers of
indastry.in a better sense than the term has ever
before admitted OF Ii win appear natural says
our author, that California should be the most
democratic country in the world The practical
equality of all the members of the community,
whatever might be the wealth, intelligence. or
profession of each was never before 80 thoroughly
demonstrated. Dress was no gauge of respecta-
bility, and no honest occupation, however mental
nka~ a..tA afIA u.
yers, physicians and ex- professors, dug cellars,
drove ox-teams sawed wood, and carried baggage,
while men who had been army privates, sailors,
cooks, or day laborers were at the head Of profit
able establishments, and not unfrequently assisted
in some Of the minor details of government
man who would consider his fellow beneath him,
on account Of his appearance or occupation would
have had some difficulty in living peaceably in
California. The security of the country is owing
in no email degree to this plain practical devel.
opment Of what the French reverence as an ab.
stracion, under the name of FIat7nae To sum
up all in three words, Labor is respectable May
it never be otherwise while grain Of gold is left
to glitter in Californian soil ~
Our author returned by way of Mazatlan and
the city of Mexico, meeting with pleasant VS..
riety Of adventures, robbery included, on bis
route. In taking leave of his volumes, we cannot
forbear venturing suggestion to the author, that
he may find a field of travel less known and quite
as interesting at the present time, tho, vast
Territory of New Mexico-ths valley Of the Del
Norte, with its old Castilian and A Rec monu.
ments and associations; the Great SAP Lake, and
the unexplOred regions of the great valley Of the
Colorado, between the mountain ranges of the
Sierra Madre and the Sierra Nevada. We know
Of no one better fitted for such an enterprise, or
for whom, judging from the spirit of his Caldos-
MIA narrative it would present more attractions