The Sierra citizen., 1854-03-04
SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1854.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1854.
No other country in the world offers
such inducements to the industrious and
energetic emigrant as does California;
and in nc other country will the quack
and boastful pretender find his level sooner
than here. California is pre-eminently the
country for the poor man, and the man of
talent. The aristocracy of wealth is not
here despotic enough to establish a line Of
demarkation between the rich and poor
which cannot be passed, for the reason
that man may be poor at the beginning
of the year, but before its close be num-
bered with millionaires.
1t has always appeared singular to us
that almost everybody comes to this coun-
try with the intention of accumulating
wealth which is to be carried to the old
States. Many people look upon the time
spent in this State as 50 many years Of
expatriation; the months, weeks. and days
are counted as they drag YEARLY along
towards the time set to return home, and
when that time arrives, bringing with it
disappointment, and perhaps poverty, the
unlucky one falls out with the country
which has failed to do for him in half a year
what any other could only do in lifetime
Hence the lugubrious stories Of blasted
hopes and subverted morals.
The mines of California are every year
assuming more important position. In
the little mountain villages where two
years ago nothing but canvas houses were
to be seen, substantial and comfortable
dwellings are being built, and occupied by
families who have had foresight to discover
that these little Insignificant towns will
after while be places ofimportance, where
it is hardly possible for mechanic to
pursue his avocation with industry and
economy for five consecutive years, without
saving more money than he ever expected
to make in the old States by lifetime of
diligent toll.
But in most cases of failure, after a
small fortune has been accumulated, some
wild speculation is entered into, which
would be looked upon elsewhere as utter
madness. But even after bankruptcy the
case is not hopeless; few month suffice to
make new beginning, and directly the
past misfortunes are forgotten.
The California emigrant possesses many
advantages which have never been enjoyed
by the settler on the western borders
There it requires years Of the strictest
economy and unceasing toll on the part
of the settler, to clear off woods and break
up prairies which one day may be valuable
The emigrant makes improvements and
labors early and late, more with view
providing comfortable home for his
children, and where he can be at rest in the
evening of his days, than with any expecta-
tions of present enjoyment. Not that
We would detvact aught from the beauti
full, boundless prairies that stretch away
from the rivers Of the West to the horizon
where the emigrant whom hard fortune
las driven from the sterile lands of tn,
Eastern States has built him a quie
home, where he is not harrassed by anxiet,
and debt; but we speak only Of the rela
tive facilities for money-making, which
disguise it as we will, is the great object
of mankind.
The people of the Western States seen
to understand the value of the unoccupied
lands on the Pacific. While the peopl,
of the Southern and Middle States ar,
meditating a removal to the West, tn,
borderer has already geared up his team
and started across the plains in search o
better country. After the rich valley
and fertile plains of California have al
been occupied by western families, ther
other settlers will arrive just in time to b,
too late.
The greatest drawback t, the prosperit,
Of the mountain towns is the migrator,
character Of the population. Many hav
left their families at home unprovide,
for, and are continually harrassed by i'm
portuniti.s to come home. Looking fos
ward to set time at which they ar
"bound to leave the country. money or n
Money they will engage in no bushes
that will occupy them after that day, bu
60 wandering about in search of some
thing that viii make immediate Returns