Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-03-12

CALIFORNIA AS A FREE STATE.-Goy. John
BigIer, in his Message of the 8th of January,
1856, has the following among other remarks
upon the progress of California in agriculture !:
s.That astonishing progress has been made
in agriculture is demonstrated by the fact that
few years ago we were almost, if sot entire
ly dependent upon the Atlantic States. Chill,
Oregon and the Islands for all the necsSsaries
and luxuries of life. Now, however, by the
energy Of our people and the unequalled fer
tility of our soil, we have superabundance
| for home consumption, and even for export
IN the market reports of the Atlantic cities
are regularly quoted the prices paio for Cali
fornia wheat and -four; of which exports ex-
cecding 81 600. 900 in the aggregate have been
made during the past year. This is truly a
wonderful change to be effected in so brief
/ period, and has no parallel in the history Of
/ any of our most progressive and rapidly de-
veloped sister States.
"Among the many and varied products ef
! our most prolific soil, wheat, barley and oats
may be mentioned among the more important.
These produced in California in greater
quantities to the acre than in any of the At
! lantic States and of quality unsurpassed if
not unequalled. Rye and com, although not
SO prolific in growth as in some Of the older
I Western States, nevertheless yield remunera-
/ tive returnS.'
Again he says:
ssIn estimating the comparative wealth and
! productiveness of California, as an evidence of
! her wonderful progress and prosperity, we may
well and proudly institute comparison with
other States of the confedcracy.
! stAmong the many interesting facts to be
CLEANED FROM official reports and other reliable
! sources we learn that the number of the hor-
| ses and mules in California, is only exceeded
! in 10 States including the great States of y ew
| York, Pennsylvania. Virginia and Ohio. In
the number of cattle, but States exceed CAL
| ifornia. In wheat, but States produced more
during the year 1S55-while New York alone
exceeds California in the number of bushels of
barley raised. OF potatoes, sixteen of the
States produce less quantity than our own.
OF all The States of the Union, not one produ-
ces so many gallons of wine-and in the ag-
gregate value of live stock, but II Of the 81
exceed California;
Truly this is cheering exhibition Of the
progress of the first free State on the Pacific,
and it is also an impressive lesson to the busi-
ness men of our country. Suppose California
/ had been adr,itted rs n slave State---lo,- IL
icrent would have been her present condition
To understand this, compare Virginia with
Ohio, Missouri with Illinois, or Arkansas with
Wisconsin. Have not the citizens of all the
old States deep interest in preserving Kansas
from the curse Of that institution which smoth-
ers enterprise and public spirit wherever It cx-
tends Kansas, peopled by freemen, would
in few years rival even California or Iowa in
lis progress. and would furnish 4 vast marke eft
for the products of our manufactures. So
that even as matter of dollars and cents, we
have deep pinterest in preserving Kansas from
the curse of slavery.