Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-06-27
Irnn End Coal


Potosi may boast of silver. and California O;
gold, but our men of metal have greater cause
to congratulate themselvS in possessing Mines
of iron, with which all our emporiums are like
" henccforth to BE strengthened. We have buil-
dings and household furniture OF iron-iron
ships, and marbelized iron.-Thc cheaper this
precious metal is rendered, the more general
will be its appliances; for the Genius of Iron,
like Proteus, can assume any shape, while in
genuity is ever on the alert among our plastic
spirits of enterprise. All we want are men
with iron constitutions to carry out those gil
gantic projects which are destined to distin-
guish our land of refuge the mightiest re-
public ever established since the world was
created.
In anthracite regions, beyond the mountain
Gus Allegheny, in Tennessee, and in Ohio,
the metal abounds. Ages must pass away ere
Pennsylvania's veins are exhausted producing
from 80 to 60 per cent. of metallic iron; but
even there, an lmpotent government i'm
pcdes the progress of skill and science, by
withdrawing protection, and years may
elapse before the price of material is reduced
which can only be effected by multiplying me-
chanical contrivences for reaching 1t. Every
means should be provided to facilitate the pro-
gress of miners and founders. Pittsburg, alone
could supply the whole Union. Importations
from the old country cannot much longer be
depended on; her resources are beginning to
fail, and at the present state of political an
archy in Europ should warn to look al home
and feel conscious of our wealth teeming IN
.Cybale;s treasure house which cannot be too
highly appreciated.
The popular mind has been dazzled with
golden visions of EldOrado, but we should re-
member all is not gold that glitters, and those
who possess surpluss capital may easily excel
| ineal-alchcmists, by extracting gold from iron.
No safer investment exists, as traffic in this
most useful OF metals will in a few years be in
dependant of England.
Steam machinery and railways must be appll
ed more extensively, not only for the transit of
ore, but coal also which is the fuel that feeds
the flame of science. Liberal outlays will en-
sure large dividends. The improved mode of
navigating the Ohio, and the adoption of half
barges-is already diminishing the expenses
of freightage from Pittsburg, the Birmingham
Il valley of (biack) diamonds, without being
able to work them to the fullest extent. Ge-
olOgists are our pioneers, whose reports may
be fully depended on. Under primeval forests
beneath the hydrographcal basin of Ohio-the
beds are inexhaustible, where shafts have
never been reached. Through Pennsylvania,
Virginia and Ohio,a continuous strata, varying
| from five to nine feet in depth has been traced
| to the extent of 225 milcs-100 miles wide
| The consumption for the present year will in
crease considerable; from Pittsburg alone, eX-
ports will average not less than 300 900 tons.
Gas works and steam engines now indis-
penSablc to an energetic race of utilitarianS
| so, while ayenturerS are rocking their cradles,
| containg gold idols, let us keep pace with the
| march of intellect, rule the world paciiically
| with rods of iron and invade the Subterranc-
| an treasures of old King Coal.