Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-06-01
The Influence Of Cold,

The Influence OF Cold.
Without the discovery of America, Fu-
rope, would no doubt, have been reduced
to the condition of Asia-that is to say,
the form of her governments would gra-
dually have assumed patriarchal des-
potiSm, such as is now the lot of all
Asiatic and semi Asiatic people. 1t was
the discovery of America which woke the
nations of Etirope from their slumber,
stimulated their enterprise, designated
new roads Of commerce, furnished fresh
employment to their industry, and by the
rapid accumulation of the precious metals.
improved the condition Of the laboring
classes. A new species of wealth--per-
sonal property-became the competitor
of real estate, and effected gradually the
emancipation Of industry from feudal
slavery
The gold discoveries in California and
Australia operate in similar manner on
the condition of the industrial condition
of the industrial classes of Europe and
America. They have already raised the
prlce of labor, and thereby rendered the
iaboring classes more comfortable and
independent. They have diminished the
property and income Of the idler-the
man who lives ON the interest of his mo-
nty-and decreased the Indebtedness of
states and individuals, by diminishing the
rate of interest through the depreciation
in the value Of money. The result of all
these things is the practical emancipation
OF the industrious classes through the
amelioration of their physical condition
the distribution of wealth among the
laboring classes, and the diminution of
the horrible competition which tends
continually to the reduction of wages to
the starving point.
England feels very happily the result of
the diminished competition of labor
Wages have risen in every description of
industry, until at last, the agricultural
laborer himself is appreciated at the just
value of his services. And the process of
amelloratiOn in the condition of the labor
ing classes is progressing in a compound
ratlo-first, by the diminished competi
ton of labor caused by emigration, and
second, by the expansion of the circula-
ting medium through the increase of the
precious metals.
We are aware that this state of things
will not always last-that money and
labor will eventually find their level; but
during the process, the industrial classes
will gain for themselves a position from
which they cannot again be driven, eX-
cept by their own vice or want of energy
The discovery of America laid the foun-
datlon to that middle class-the bour-
geolse-whlch has fought the battle against
hereditary privileges. The gold mines of
California and Australia, and the settle
ment by Americans Of the Pacific coast,
VIII emancipate the laborer, and give him
back his individuality lost in the struggle
for physical existence.
For some time past, political econo-
mlsts In Europe have turned their atten-
ton to the re organization of labor, as
means OF introducing order and regularity
into what they are pleased to call the
disorder and injustice of the present svs-
tenn. Some say, labor must be guaran
teed employment" others, capital must
be subordinate to labor" and a third set
OF philosophers declare all species of pro-
perty a thief" These theories of the So
clallsts have no doubt alarmed many an
honest aspirant to liberty, and furnished
the means for the counter revolution of
1851, SO and SO. But socialism, will
in the end be disarmed of it's terrors.
California and Australia gold will do that
without social revolution which is their
ultimate honest purpose to attend, and
do it gradually and without violence to
vested rights.
The finger of Providence is visible
throughout history, and it is no insignif
cant fact, that the large discoveries Of
gold with continent for sphere of i'm
provement, are made by two nations of
the same origin and language-the freest
and best politically educated in the world
be changed, if Russia were in possession
OF the mines of California or Australia
What vantage ground would despotism
have gained in the world. -Philadelphio
l. 'ge,.