The Georgetown news., 1856-03-06
Communicated

1t is not astonishing to observe the nu-
merous long countenances that are now
Pickering around busy capitalists like moths
around a candle fame, each and all anxious
to plunge into some remunerative opera
ton, and like the moth they see fairy-like
luminary; but fear of the consequence alone
deters them from immersing themselves into
its uncertain substance. 1t is better that
such is the case. 1t is better that bitter
experience should have rendered its sub
jects circumspect who, experiencing the
effect, trace it to its cause, and exemplify
the adage that "a burnt child seldom goes
near the fire. yet when the cause of alarm
is removed, penetrating individuals view
their chance and act accordingly. Noplace
in the world exemplifes the rule more than
our young State of California in the Wild
ness of speculation of early days. We see
few who were less influenced by external
circumstances, and consequently were bet
ter able to exhibit more circumspectlon
than others, and at the present day these
men flourish, while those whose operations
were larger, and establishments were more
costly, are hardly known in the market; III
fact so much so is this the case, that one
may say that the entire mercantile commu-
nifty has become completely revolutionized.
That excess of liberality exhibited by indi-
viduals to one another under the false name
of confidence, has become lost, and necessl-
ty has compelled the merchant to require
bona fide security for his sales, for times
have altered, and the taxpayer has found to
his sorrow that his confidence was abused
and the treasury robbed. For years it has
been the practice of the official to rob and
plunder at the expense of his amiable and
confding constituents. In the days of ex-
citement and fever such things might be
passed over lightly, although the guilt is
the same; and at the present day, on balan-
cling accounts, we find ourselves deeply in
debt, and to permit the continuance of such
dishonesty is simply to sanction it, and to
acknowledge that we ourselves are no better
than they. All countries require govern
ment, and that government cannot be car
ried on without certain expenses. and indi-
Syiduals to fill certain offices; but why should
known individuals Of no principle of honor,
&c, be elected to Office merely because he
belongs to party? He abused our conf
dence, robs the public in and out of Office
and slopes" Nothing more is heard of
him, and it passes off. Thus we pay dearly
for our choice, and It's our desert. Not
until lately have we seen the naked truth
in all its hideousness, and we are promised
more. Coming events cast their shadows
before week after week appear upon the
stage individuals whose previous unblem-
ished honor won the admiration and esteem
of the majority. We had confidence in
Meiggs, in l. G. Woods, in Sanders; but
alas. change came over the spirit of our
dreams, and while we were dreaming, be-
hold! they "vamoosed," bearing with them
our own hard earned dust.
The experience of past years may prove
a benefit to US, for it certainly will open our
eyes, and render us not so easily gulled in
future. We will see what this administra-
tion will bring forth. 1t is not probable
that it will be worse than the previous ones;
let us trust it will be better. While our
internal industries are in healthy condi-
our State government affairs are at very
low ebb, and we are apt to draw a gloomy
picture of our future prospects; but let US
remember that the darkest time is just be-
fore the break of day. POGO MAS.