Georgetown weekly news., 1854-11-16
The Cause of our Discomfort.

Ihe editor OF the Pacific makes the fol-
lowing truthful remarks upon the cause of
the discomfort expressed by many in Cali
fornia:
We have in this State the elements of
wealth and unbounded prosperity. Our
natural resources, whether mineral or agri-
cultural, are far greater than was once sup
posed, and are now found to be quite mex
haustible. To develop these, we have a
hardy, erterprising and intelligent popua-
tion, mostly in the prime and vigor Of life.
Our climate, too, is perhaps the most healthy
and delightful on the continent. The rigors
of winter are not known here Spring and
summer arc. our only seasons, and these diff
fer not much in their temperature. Health
is ensured to all who do not utter violence
to its laws and handsome competence to
all who labor with any thrift and practice
any degree of economy With such condi-
tionS offered them, our people ought to be
the most prosperous and contented of any
other, and enjoy life here more than in the
older States.
But what are the facts in the case? Pass
through the State, mingle among our popu-
lation, and it will be seen that there is a
restlessness, disquietude, discontentment
almost universal, prevailing among them
With the present and its surroundings, how
few are satisfied. They live in the future
and hope speedily for a change. If health
is enjoyed, and wealth fortunately secured,
quiet and contentment come not, the rest
lessness and dissatisfaction seem still to re-
main. Even if pleasant homestead has
been fortunately secured, the same feelings
are sure to creep into it. The man of wealth,
who has already made his fortune, the young
man who is in fair way of doing it, the
man of family who is well to do in the world
too often exclaim "a miserable country this, -
mot fit to live in,' Il hope may never end
my days in it."
1t is very easy to account for this general
feeling ofdiscontent Nothing is more sim
pie 1t is not that the country and climate
are not superior, nor that men of prudence
and industry cannot receive larger rewards
for their labor, and thrive hetter here than
in any other part of the world. 1t all ari-
ses from the thoughtlessness and folly ofour
people, who, the masses of them, in coming
here have neglected to bring with them, and
plant on their arrival, and nurture and sus-
tain during their residence in the country
the religious principles and institutions un-
der which they were reared at home With
out their influence an American citizen soon
degenerates and becomes restless and wretch
ed. Separate him from the institutions
which have made him what he is, and from
their power over him, and he soon becomes
miserable.
Now in their 'haste to be rich" out here
our people have forgotten to be wise, and
have pursued the worst policy in the world
to become prosperous and happy. They
have as a whole, ignored God, practically
/ denied his existence and his control over
them His Sabbath has hardly been recog-
nized and his worship has been almost en-
tirely neglected. His day, even now, in a
large portion Of the State is the greatest
trading day and the greatest holiday of the
seven. AS a consequence, the heart Of the
people has become corrupt, and the most
abandoned wickedness prevails among them
Blasphemy, licentiousness, gambling, duel
ing, and every form of vice and corruption
is rife in the State. Political corruption
abounds, official malfeasance is common
and the integrity of the Bench has got to be
a matter now very lightly spoken Of And
along comes sweeping the tide of intemper-
ance, carrying down annually millions Of
our wealth and thousands Of our population
Is it at all surprising, then, this feeling
of restless discomfort among our people?-
In such a state of morals and utter ungod
illness as everywhere are found, such an en-.
tire abnegation of God and religion among
the masses, could they. or ought they to be
contented and happy, although God had
showered upon them even more blessings
and bounteous gifts than what be has? BY
no means. We must look then for no more
quiet and contentment in the State until il
becomes more moral and religions. The
Sabbath must first be established and OBJ
served, God be worshipped and his laws re
vered throughout our borders, then, and moi
till then, will peace and quiet rest upon us
and our State become the permanent home
of happy and contented people.