San Andreas independent., 1857-11-14
From the Sacramento Daily Union.
Letter to the Miners of California--No. 3.
BY CAxToN.

BY CAXTON.
A government truly enlightened fosters it's
great interests, and covers with perpetual fa-
vors that one from which springs its chiefglory.
Rome governed the world" says Robert
son, "by the wisdom of its civil maxims, and
the rigor of its military discipline" To the
latter she principally owed her power; and
hence throughout Roman history the most
valuable rewards were bestowed upon her
military chieftains. The army was the certain
path to promotion and for many successive
centuries the war-like spirit of her people kept
the world in awe, and showered its treasures
at her feet.
Spain, during the sixteenth century, rose to
the highest pitch of greatness, through the ad-
venturous spirit of the people. The love of
maritime adventure inspired the whole popu-
lation, and by encouraging her navigators by
high honors, and splendid rewards, she in
fused into them the most indomitable courage,
erts could subdue. Her heroes of the ocean
became Viceroys, with all the trappings of
royalty on land, or else Adeantados, with all
the privileges of Venitian Dodges, upon the
sea.
France, during the latter half of the 18th
century, was the heir of the military spirit of
the Romans. Napoleon took advantage of
their national love Of glory, and forged chains
to enfetter them out of its glitterng links
But he repaid to courage and enterprise what
he plundered from the conquered capitals of
all Europe. His marshals became kings and
princes, and when he displaced the crown
from AN effete race he transferred the scepter
to the hands of his bravest soldiers. He not
only did this, but he established the Invdlides,
national home for those who had received
incurable wounds at the hands of the enemies
of their country.
England, too, from the period of her splen-
did accession to power, upon the ruins of the
Spanish armada, in the sixteenth century, has
always, with sagacious foresight, fostered the
maritime interest. as the one destined to exalt
her to the pinnacle of national glory. Her
navigation acts have been the theme of praise
for more than two centuries, and have been
copied by all modern nations who have made
any pretentions to naval might. England has
also established marine hospitals throughout
all her principal seaports; and in this has
been initiated by the United States, and by
all the maritime nations of the world.
1t is but just and natural that each country
should strengthen its peculiar prop to gran
deur. Wisdom as well as gratitude policy.
no less than justice, dictates such a course
But the legislators of California have acted
upon different principle, and, though every
other interest in the State depends essentially
upon the prosperity of mining, they have pass
ed no beneficial laws upon the subject, but
have legislated, when they have acted at all
so as to tax, disable and oppress it.
! In a preceding letter the destitute condition
of the unlucky miner was alluded to- con-
demned very often to beg his Bread and sub
ject at all times to penury and want. The first
great right of the California miner, therefore
is HoNE-a State institution, located at the
Capital, and known everywhere as the Miners
Home 1t should be sacred to him alone. AS
in the Inrdiides of Napoleon, none but hero's
foot could tread upon its floors. As within
the walls of Greenwich Hospital, none bst a
sailors head can repose upon its couches; SO
should it be in this State mansion for the dis
abled miner. He only should be entitled to
| its benefits, for to his arm alone, when unpar-
aIyzed by sickness, the State owes all that is
most valuable in her annals.
| am well aware that this proposition to
erect State Hospital, for the benefit of pc
culiar class of our citizens, will be received in
certain commercial and agricultural districts,
with no little dissatisfaction. 1t is natural
that they should object at first, to what ap-
parently does not subserve their own interests
Selfishness is just as thickly planted in the
hearts of masses of men, as in those of indi-
viduals. But it is the business of the states
man. by wise measures to disarm and eradi-
cate 1t. This can only be done by shelving
them, that an apparent hardship to few, may
indirectly prove great advantage to all, and
that however much peculiar class may seem
to be preferred above others, still If that inter-
est be the basis of the public prosperity. true
wisdom as well as equal justice requires that
it should be fostered by signal favors,
This argument applies to the establishment
of all asvlnms and hospitals, which are main
tanned at the public expenao, and more espe-
cially to such as are military and marine. 1t
is also the ground of the argument, in favor