The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-11
Hidden Wealth of the West.

Hidden Wealth of the West.
A Wisconsin Democratic paper has the fol-
lowing paragraph:
''The low price of grain, and the partial failure
of crops, has thrown State almost entirely upon
the mines for cash resources. showing the import
ant fact that Wisconsin depends almost entirely
upon her mineral resources for cash capital, and
it would be but following the dictates of selfinte-
rest to pay little attention to the further and
more rapid development of our mineral wealth."
The little attention" craved by the writer
as essential to the prosperity Of his beautiful
State, probably amounts to nothing beyond the
completion of geological surveys; but the fact
he promulgates indicates the need of measures
of a more comprehensive CHARACTER. 1t tells of
the folly of a whole State relying for prosperity
upon the English grain market, and of the Ian
gushing condition of an interest which, pro-
perly developed, would place Wisconsin in an
enviable position in regard to wealth.
In some of the old mining districts of the
State, we believe, lead "diggings" are in
many instances abandoned, not because the
lodes are exhausted, but because the rude
fashion in which the work has hitherto been
carried on is unequal to present necessities.
Machinery is required to aid the labors of the
miner, who, being too poor to procure that
help is compelled to turn his attention to fresh
localities. We read perpetually of new dis
coveries of lead both in Wisconsin and North
ern Iowa and the knowledge that it exists in
i'm " oucfih Ia nttiac % hot
gives a guarantee that miners of the present
generation will have no difficulty in eking
out a livelihood without the aid OF capt.
tai. Still, this is thriftless kind of in
dustry it is negIectful, wasteful, and in
the highest degree detrimental to the region
Immediately concerned; it is the management
OF the prodgal, revealing in present abundance,
without thought of the morrow. Geological
surveys, however necessary and excellent in
their way, are, then, only portion of what
Wisconsin needs to make her one of the most
productive mineral States in the Union. FIX
penslve machinery is, after surveys, the great
requisite; that machinery involves the employ
ment of large capitals; and we have the sad
NoNiuhOHD vi OlutI DldltS " idCt Cdpi-
talists will shrink from further investments of
this nature until the legislative power of the
country decides on abandoning Mr. WALKERS
parody on British free trade.
The Milwaukee Journal and other Whip
prints in Wisconsin are directing attention to
the cultivation of manufactures as well as min
ing. They dwell on the vast water power of
the western country-the admirable adaptation
of prairies to wool growing-and the possession
of every thing requisite to build up manufac-
turing industry. Coal is found in Illinois and
Iowa as plentifully as lead; and we are told
that indications of coal have also been observed
in different parts Of Minnesota. Every thing
favors the introduction Of diversity of pur-
sults-every thing but the governing will,
which disregards natural advantages and arti-
fetal wants, to carry out pet principle.
II we are not mistaken, the growing West
will speedily change sides on this question of
domestic industry. 1t has struggled heartily
for the side now uppermost, under a belief that
It's destiny was agricultural and that foreign
markets were wanted for its products. Passing
accidents favored the belief and the enormous
influx of newcomers served, up to certain
point, in misleading the settlers as to the value
of the local demand. The accidents have long
since ceased to operate; and the point at which
the purchases of immigrants were in reality an
item of importance, has long been passed With
nearly every man engaged in tillng the soil,
the price Of grain will sink lower and lower,
unless, indeed, "the partial failure of crops"
alluded TO by the writer we have quoted, prove
chronic, as there is reason to fear it will in re
gard To winter wheat on the praires. In either
case, the cry now feeble and partial will be-
come general, and in the end irresistible.
1t is satisfactory to note the growth of feel
ing on this question in Wisconsin, which has
wasted time and strength in vain endeavors to
impart vitality to day-dreams. Iowa, whose
Democracy has always been tempered with
grains Of wholesome conservatism. will assured
ly not be behind her neighbor in the advocacy
Of measures with which the best interests of
both are closely connected