The Placer herald., 1856-03-01
THE PLACER HERALD.
AUBURN, MARCH l, 1856.
Mining College.

of California are the result of individual en-
terprise, embarked in and established, not
from desire to enhance the glory of the
State or as a benefit to mankind, but because
1t wW pay. We have no fault to find with
individuals on this account: for although it
is true that, from the most humble to the
most exalted we all owe the State our sup
port, yet it is not in time of prosperity
that any citizen is called upon to sacrifice
himself to the public good. If as public
we derive advantage from these private I'M
dertakings (and we certainly think it will be
so ADMITTEDLY it is merely an incident, and no
part of the main object Of the projectors
We have an Insane Asylum, which is about
the only piece of public improvement, taken
in connection with the manner it has been
governed as home for the unfortunate, that
our citizens feel any pride in referring to.
The sick, generally, are probably as we'll pro-
vided for as the genius of our Legislators can
at this time devise. 1t is admitted that our
State Prison has a high wall around it, and
recently we hear Of few escapes. Times are
looking up, and our system of Common
Schools is gradually working into practice.
Let us now take one step further
The ruling interest Of California-that
which has built her up and induced the mi
grafton of population unsurpassed in any
country for energy and intelligence-is her
mineral wealth. Minerals of every descrp-
tion-and that of gold is known to be mex
haustible These mountain recesses will
probably be worked with profit one hundred
years from this date. In view Of this fact
would it not be an act of wisdom to estab-
lish a college or school, under the fostering
care Of the State, where science could lend
its light to the forwarding Of this great in
terest-some fountain head, where theory
and experience could commingle, and by
celebrating reduce to practice new truths in
the art of mining-or where the young men
and youth among US may acquire a lnowl
edge of those scientific truths already known
but not generally disseminated among the
people. Geology, chemistry, mineralogy,
metallurgy and their kindred studies are Of
ten spoken of by men, but how few have any
practical knowledge of their uses. They
should be made the familiar hand-maids of
labor, instead of being nursed as hot plants
in the laboratories of book-men-thus both
would be benefited This view we do not
claim as original, and we further insist that
our proposition is by no means visionary or
theoretical. In many of the States of Eu-
rope, colleges have been long in operation
devoted to the science Of mining. Had ma
ture bestowed upon those governments the
elements of untold wealth, such as we, what
would they not do to foster the interest.
Shall republican California show herself be-
hind these superannuated monarchics in that
which makes nation great?
We have military academies established
in our sister States and maintained at public
expense, and whilst no one should underratc
that description of learning which the better
BELTS man to defend his country in times
of need; yet the days of military supremacy
arc past the triumphs Of peace are now Of
far more importance than
"rhe royal banner; and all quality,
Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war;
And so it should be esteemed; for whilst the
practice of one demorazes society and bru-
talizes man, the other humanizes the race,
dignifes and ennobles the individual.
From the military schools of the United
States the graduates 60 forth into society at
large and disseminate the treasures they
have gathered in their college labors-so it
will be with mining college: all classes
will be the gamers by such an institution.
The expense of establishing and endowng
such college might come heavy upon the
State at this time, but to our mind, a system
could be put in practice by which private
pay scholars could be admitted, whereby
much of the current expense could be liqui-
dated. If it be thought advisable, add to it
branch devoted to agriculture, then let
each county send to the college a proper
tionate number of its youth, to be educated
in those branches at the expense Of the pub
lic The gratitude Of these toster-chidren of
the State will richly repay, in future, every
advantage thus bestowed upon them.
1t is probable this subject has been moot
ed by other papers in this State, but we do
aot recollect Of having seen anything of the
kind. We feel an abiding interest in every
thing which shall tend to fit the State Of our
adoption for the great destiny that awaits