The Placer herald., 1859-01-01
Democratic Committee for Placer County
SIX YEARS.

depth OF several inches, WnlCn was SucCeedeu
by heavy rain. 1t was almost impossible for
the stages and teams to travel between here
and Sacramento. Since then some changes
have been made:-our roads have been beat
en- harder and very much improved; and now
we have a railroad finished to half way be-
tween the two places, and are secure for
provisions, travel, and all the necessaries OF
life, the "foulest weather that ever howled."
Six years past! What may the six years
to come bring forth? No doubt greater i'm
provements than the same annual periods
have done previously. Another six years,
and the steam car will be daily visitor to
our little city. Merrly speed the day.
Six years ago there were but about half
dozen families in our little community and
its precincts. A large portion of its business
houses were constituted of saloons of every
grade and character No class Of public
houses uniformly y drew so large assemble
ges, or were so profitable to their owners,
(not so to the votaries, )as the resorts for gam
bling Its professed votaries constituted no
inconsderable portion of the gentry of the
country. They were distinguished 10y their
gaudy attire, by their boasts of gentity and
their superior personal proves and bravery.
1t was rare that real ladies were seen up
on our streets-not only because they were
few in numbers-but because of the much
greater abundance of females who could not
Justly be so classed
The sound of church bell was then sell
dom or never heard-and the prattle of in
nocent children was sound the recollection
of which had almost faded from the MEM
ory.
1t might be said that there was at that
time no established moral sentiment in the
community-not that there were not in our
midst a great number of men, moral, good
and true, but, they were strangers to each
other, there was no cooperation among
them, they were without organization and
without comparative influence.
To day how changed is the scene. Au-
burn has spread out on every slde The
hill tops and the valleys and little hooks in
nearly every direction are now graced by
neat, and in many instances elegant cottages,
and at each Of these spots can now be found
nearly all the domestic comforts of eastern
homes. The wild and useless shrub, and
the scrubby tree that once covered our hills;
or more frequently the naked and appar-
rently barren hills and valleys have given
place to rarest plants, and almost every va
riety Of fruitful trees.
Much the larger portion Of the town is
composed of costly and durable structures
Gambling and its votaries are banished from
our mids.-Busness is established on a
firm basis and conducted upon safe and well
known rules. Habits of temperance and
regularity characterize our citizens. Places
Of infammy are closed and its voaries driven
away or into hidden places. Virtue and
virtuous people, are publicly upheld and en-
couraged.
Ladies, old and young, and children
throng our streets, bringing back to us the
realities of our eastern homes and the sur
roundings of our earlier years.
The upright and industrious have come
to know each other and have joined hands
against the dssolute and vicious
What we have said is not intended for a
boast: we know a similar comparison may
justly be made of many other portions of
the State. These marks of progress should
call forth the honest cxultaton of all good
citizens-especially, at this fit period of re-
trospection, while it should be the point of
departure into another era of time.
Let us, one and all, like the faithful mar
iner SO shape our course, and set our sails as
TO avoid the rocks and quick-sands of the
past, gather our energies for the progressive
work of the new year, and SO use them that
when 1859, has been consigned to the tomb
Of time, we may joyfully record yet greater
triumphs in the march of civilization and
public prosperity.
re- Monday night last was stormy and
blustry-the rain fell as if to remind US of
the stormy days Of 40. We learn that at
Forest Hill and in that section of country,
On Tuesday morning, the snow was falling
in fakes something less than the size of
mans hat. We give this as our informant
stated it.