The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-31
A GOLD MINERS LAMENT.
DoUGLAs FLAT. California, !
October 18th. 1851.

"Why will Ye Dig!"-Son Of man! for
the light of whose countenance, and for the
Joy Of whose presence my spirit yearneth
and my bowls grumbleth, dost thou ask
me why! Is it not written that fortune
smiles upon fools! And for the sake of
these smiles hath not thy servant been
making fool-yea, an ass of himself in
vain! f'
For five score and ten days he has So
ourned in this place-he has dug into the
earth-he has dived into the water-he
has torn ancient rocks from their resting
places, and removed them afar off-he
has likewise torn his breeches in parts not
to be spoken of--he has rooted into the
mud like unto a swine!--His beard hath
grown long-the skin upon his hands and
face hath changed its color, until he is now
likened unto wild beast. and his gar
ments are all rent and soiled. so that
"sackcloth and ashes'' would be, as fine
linen and purple unto himl He would
fain feed on husks. but there are none.
Yes. he who in times past was wont to fare
sumptuously. and to grumbie over greater
daintes than were piled upon that table
of Dives. now snuffs with gladness the
fragrance of pork and beans, and gnashes
his teeth impatiently over frying slap
Jack! He bulteth a raw onion with un-
speakable avidlty! Potato skins fear his
presence--beef vanishes from before him;
and dogs look in vain for bones. He
sighs for the flesh pots Of Egypt, and
mourns over the barrenness of the land! !
In his sleep. nevertheless, the good angel
Of the past deigns TO visit him, and delight
full visions are opened TO his recollection,
for delicious "bill of fare" floats before
the mind Of the dreamer, and he orders
"oysters and terrapins for six." only to
awaken to his internal slapjacks and mo-
lasses! ..s,
All this hath thy servant endured. Is
he not then fool, an abomination in the
sight Of wisdom! And is it no, unto such.
and such only, fortune dspenses her ia,
vors! Yet she hath desertedsme. | ap-
proach her and she feeth! double on her
trail. and she turneth away! wait her
coming. and she stands still! | secrete
myself in her path. and seize her una
wares! But she glideth off, as though I,
had caught hog by his creased tall
sic transit" excaim. as with sick
heart. | revile poverty, and curse fortune!
Lo! are not these evils! And where.
fore should they be visited upon thy SER
want! Surely he hath not sinned as other,
men sinneth. He hath not coveted his
pavhhor's nav III. oec ~. h;z .u.-
servant nor his maid servant--for be il,
known unto thee. that there are no maid
servants here. He hath abided by the
law and the Prophets. but the profits have
no, abded by him! ae
Now, therefore, | renounce these dig
gins; absquatulate the premises; I"ramose
thsranch-Itake off put off, slope!-I
depart without scrip or provender; taking
no heed of the morrow. for the morrow
takes no care of me. Ere five days shall
have passed, the shirt tail Of thy servant,
will be waving in the breezes Of the Ma
vada. A remnant oft will be nailed upon
the highest mountain that he crosses, as
an emblem Of the extremity to which man
may be reduced in the land of Ophiri,
Yet think not. oh Elisha! that would rend
my garments for this alone. Verify. say,
unto thee, an evil genius hath dong pur-.
sued me. She hath followed so close upon
my footsteps, that every thread and fibre
of my shirt tail is familiar to her eye.--
And it. in her pursuit of me, she should
gaze upon this relic in the solitary fast
nesses OF the mountain. she will at once
recognize it, and believing me to be torn
and destroyed by wild beasts, she will,
retrace her steps. and thus will escape,
her. .. sw
| 60 hence, Elisha. unto the town Of
Sonora. where it has been prophesied that
thy servant will heal the sick, and prosper
with amazing prosperity. As Moses rear,
ed the serpent in the wilderness for the
children OF fsreal to look upon and be.
cured OF their infirmites. so will elevate
my "shingle" among the Gentiles, that
they may gaze upon il. and be made
whole. Their offerings of gold and silver
will be acceptable unto me, and if they
live not afterwards, peradventure they may
find treasure in Heaven. ,at4ss S,s
Gr II is easy to wish for Heaven. but
difficult to get > Heavenly mind. s. ~ z