Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-12-24
WHY Lave caisiorniai

Is not the weird tale which the skilful ro-
mancist has woven around his creation Of the
doomed Israelite typical Of large class Of our
California population? The story goes that
the blessed Jesus, wcaried to fainting under
the burthen Of his heavy cross, besOught a
moments rest at the doorway Of his country
man. The IMPLYING boOr denied the simple
boon and scoffingly ordered his incarnatc God
to march on to His wofnl crucIixon. But a
fearful rctribution purSueS such lnOnCtrous in
humanity. DynaSties fall and races are crush
cd out. The lair of the wild beast usurps the
site Of populous city. Old continents are
submerged and new ones spring up from mid
ocean. Antiquarians are rccreatcd from the
dust of their predecessors; yet that hooking
Hebrew, according to the legend, restless and
tirclcss, marches on and on, etcrnay.
We extend the parallel to the restless and
unsettled character Of the dcnizens Of this fair
State nothing more.
You talk to the middle aged man who has
spent some years in our midst, cncountering
alike the favor and frown Of fortune. His
hopes Of future happiness centre upon a con-
tcmplated residence somewhere along the At
lantc scnboard. lie regards himself but as a
sGourncr here. lie is passionate yet tenn
porAry pilgrim on foreign and uncongCnial
soil. lie plants no trees in California. lie
surrounds himself with no luxurious ,lomicil,
! no smiling acres. Sometimes Strays among Us
n matron Of years and discretion, and She, too,
throws her warnings across continent. Her
movements are wavward and validating. She
Is equally at home but equally Disconnected in
city cdi!icc or n Inountan cabin or a rude
howell upon the plain. What matter to her,
her incoLvencnces aud deprivationS. Her fu.
turc homc-S0 she dreainS-nnd her entire
thoughts and fondest visions are far away from
this golden land The young man and young
woman. bounding upon the arena Of life, con-
template purgatory with as much complaiS-
ance as a lifelong residence in this Pacific
State. They laugh and love and toll and suf-
fer and marry, but all to the design of an ult-
mate debarkation from our shores.
Wcwondcr much at this and dep!orc it sore
ly. 1t initiates sadly against the formation Of
stable and Salutary friendships which Swccten
so much the current Of life. 1t cngcnders n
spirit of reslcSSneSS and discomfort which in
capacitnteS its victim for present or future ell.
joymcnt upon any location upon Gods foot
stool. 1t inevitably leads to fi'ittcring away Of
means and energies. 1t drives mankind and
womankind to a desOlate old age, pennyleSs
and rcmorSCGul.
! Now what is the matter with California that
She should not concentrate upon herself the
proudeSt and flircSt and most vrtuous Of the
human family: The shore of the Pacific diff.
fcrS not from the Atlantic strand, in language
or civil laws or social amenities. The Federal
heart throbS with equal strength at this OK.
trcmity rs at its centre. 1t is the sway and
control of government, aatl not patry parti.
clcs Of filthy soil, that marx the dimensions ot
ones country. This is our native heath equal,
" with the few distant and barren acres that
witnessed our birth. Pleasant. no donht, arc
the ties Of kindred and caily association, but
they are not rupturcd or oosencd in the facili.
ties Of the present day to int,r-rommunication
Of thought and sentiment. Then again, the
same energy Of purpose which induces to nd
venture and travel, provokes thirst for intel
ligencc. This joyous abode of ours is flooded
with earnest and cultivated mind. Is not thu
friendship Of a mature age, qnickcned by a
mutual appreciation Of sterling qualities, far
better than the forced and careless intimacy Of
earlier years!
If rapidly successful in schemes Of accunlu-
laton, he is base migrate who would garner
up his stores and transmit them for enjoyment
to another land. He has contracted debt Of
gratitude to 4 kind and favorirs parent The
goods he Subtracts is part of the parcnt's
strength and nutriment. He should linger and
plant himself in the soil.
II unsuccessful and with patience, he will
rise here easier than elsewhere on earth. Pa.
tiencc in California, is the courage Of the con-
qucror. 1t is the virtue of man against desti-
ny, Of the one against the world, Of the soul
against matter lie will he successful unless
he seeks to grow forests from the spawn Of the
mushroom.
But why, under any circumstances seek to
desert this excellent and favored land? With.
in our borders arc every phase and variety of
climate. IF one be athletic and with strong
lungs, there are portions Of this State adapted
to his physical sympathies. For those less
coDstitutiOnally vigorous, there are the soft
tanning breezcs of Italy for his enjoyment
Not exactly spontaneous, but with how little
labor does this tecming soil Of ours shoot forth,
in widest luxuriancc, the choicest productions
Of every land and cline. The grazier only
watches his roaming herds, and they yield him
present sustenAncc and increase to untold
wealth. No garnering Of grains is demanded
for their wintry consumption. Their barn
yard is the open prairie over which God spreads
perennial pasturage. But what eau we urge
too extravagant in regard to the profusion Of
our mineral stores? The earth is choked with
the yellow ore and each stream is crimson
with the blood of gold.
What is the matter with California that men
and women fee its presence as affrightcd roes?