The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-03
THE GREAT EVENTS on THE PACIFIC. THEIR
TEACHINGS

nalized our work the other side of the continent
Our Atlantic growth, that excited the wonder and
admiration of mankind was slow cautious and dis
eouraging compared with the magic uprising of
States beyond the mountains 1t turns out that, al
though we achieved startling success which we
attributed to our free system Of government, and
accomplished infinitely more in the solid acquisi-
tons of mind and wealth than any other people the
chief fountains of material progress still remained,
and we have doubt will continue to remain for
some time, unknown and undeveloped. The dis
covery ogod in California carried to that State large
and very energetic population and they have con
verted the country occupied by them into of the
most successful and powerful members of the federal
Union. 1t is not mining State exclusively, by any
manner of means. Labor has been distributed, as it
is on this side of the continent until California is
sefsusainipg power, with vastly more means of con-
trolling others than the latter have in controlling them
California possesses in other words the elements of
an independent empire, which are by no means rli-
worthy of notice Her career is written ON the
memory of the existing mind; and her achievements
are such as to exercise powerful control the
politics and commerce of the world. All this, be it
basis of extreme peril, hardship and labor and at
distance Of many thousands of miles from the CEN
tres of population where the people were emncntly
wen to do in life.
We have opened to us another California on
the Pacific which is likely again to stir up the people
Of the Atlantic States and to make large draughts
upon the latter in favor of the former IL is not
purpose to do moro than refer to these events and
to call public attention to the important subject
which cannot fail to force itself upon the American
people, that the whole interior of the continent is
destined at an early day to be mnnely explored and
occupied. Who shall say that California and Fraser
river have an exclusive deposite of the precious
metals of this great country? Who is prepared to
set limits to population which is distinguished
alike for its energies in exploring and it's in
discovery Are the great events on the Pacific,
which have been a continual source of wonder and
profit since the acquisition of California to have
no permanent influence upon our mercurial, ac-
tive, and successful people? Do we give proper
weight to those events? DO sufficiently credit
their influence upon social, political, and
economical interests What, then do they betoken,
and what is the lesson they teach confedera-
cy, and in all the relations of business? Is it not
manifest that a powerful empire, stimulated by the
most extraordinary conditions and quickened into
being by even the widest visions Of the Imagination,
is rising up on the Pacific coast? Nor is this work
be confined to miners and gold SPECTATORS however
profitable may be the industry of the former
cessful the latter. We have no warrant either in
the history of own race or of any other, nor yet
iii the experience of California which can hardly be
referred to as settled criterion by which to Judge
the future of any people, that the population which
is rapidly covering all the Pacific slopes viii conine
their labors to the search of gold. Americans are
wanting in what the phrenoogists call locality
They are much at home in place in another.
Wherever they go, they put in motion not only all
the machinery of governments but they organize at
once almost every department of industry. Such
will be the course Of events to the northward of
| California and extending upward and eastward till
all the fields of successful labor shall have been
plored and occupied
The first great lesson taught by tho existing state
of Pacific affairs is the necessity Of opening high
ways across the continent This work is inevitable
at an early day and we greatly fear, if it is long
/
will be done to our people, and heavy expenses in
Cured by the federal government in enforcing peace
with the Indian tribes AT all events, it would seem
to be certain that there is no longer spot on the
whole continent within our territorial limits where
it would be safe to guaranty the permanent occu-
patton OF the tribes This question is of great
magnitude and difficulty. II will not do for sober
fogies and paralyzed politicians to say any longer
that our people have lands enough within the great
valleys Of the West. and that the tribes shall re-
main in quiet possession Of their hunting fields.
That is all pretty theory but II Is in conflict with
the movement Of popu alton, which no more be
checked than the currents of the Mississippi or the
Gulf stream
twill not even do to parade political ethics and
discant on the obligations of treaties and the rights
ofthe aborigines. Weare dealing with necessities
with manifest destiny in practical way. 1t may
not be right that the car should run over the animal
on tho track that the storm should beat down the
crops and wreck the ship. We do not discuss the
question one between two equal parties in court
of udicaturc, where the power of enforcing the de-
csion is open to either 1t is not matter Of law at
ALL
We have way of saying and thinking in this
country that the Island of Cuha which holds t],a