, 1861-12-13
has bill9ton Statesman.
FRIDAY MORNING, DEC. 18th, 1861
The "Good Time" " has Come.

so many in Oregon and Washington have
been long and impatiently looking, has in
deed come upon us. California had its
years of bewildering excitement and un-
bounded prosperity. These rich harvest
years served to place her in a position ofI
the first rank in an incredibly short period
and though at the present time her golden
harvests are not so great as in former years,
yet she has become established upon ba-
sis so enduring as to render this decrease
no contingency in the way of her advance
ment. During these years-however un-
promising at the time for the future perma-
nence Of things-thrift and enterprise fol-
lowed the exertions of the hardy adventurer
throughout the entire catalogue of indus
trial employment, and into every section of
country profigate in its resources and in
ducements. In early years, those who Wis
tied that State, described it as unfit for
everything but the production of gold-a
barren waste whose soil was dry and worth
less. They predicted its immediate decline
when its golden treasures failed. But how
vastly different has the reality proved 1t
is now found that commerce and agriculture
and the fine arts, flourish there as success
fully as in other countries and in every
thing which goes to make great common
wealth, California occupies to-day an envia-
BILE position. The rapidity of her growth
and development must be attributed to her
mineral wealth. These possessions gave
her start, and up to the present time have
impaired vigor and strength to every branch
of industrial pursuit
The people of the North Pacific have been
in measure benefited through the prosper
ity of California. Situated contiguous to
us, she has in times gone by furnished us a
valuable market for our products, But her
own unexpected success in home produc-
tions soon robbed us of that important aux
lliary, and brought hard times upon us.
The farmer, unable to dispose of his pro-
ducts at remunerating price, met with
difficulty in the payment of his store bills,
and so retarded the successful progress of
business on all hands Money became ex-
tremely scarce, and serious embarrassment
threatened all branches of industry. 1t
was evident that Oregon and Washington,
however many advantages they naturally
possessed in an agricultural and commercial
point of view, needed an incentive to their
sluggish progress and development. En-
to~4a;~;,e- een6denee in Tho ..->l---l-r j
resources of the country and in the preva-
lence of better times in the future, our peo-
pie have held on their way and waited pa
tiently for the period of prosperity now
daw ming upon US Having witnessed the
embarrassments and fortuitous circumstan-
ces which have retarded our prosperity dur
ing the past several years, we may congrat-
ulate the people upon the cheering pros
poets now opening before us. The present
is truly an encouraging period in our histo-
ry. The hope of brighter day is no lon
ger merely picture of the imagination
We have rich and extensive gold fields,
which are already pouring their treasures
into oar marts of business and quickening
the pulse cf trade and commerce. They
promise largely for the future, and may in
deed Outstrip California in the richness of
their yield. We have an almost unlimited
country, stretching even to the Rocky noun
tains, which needs but the exertions of the
hardy pioneer in well-directed, energetic
effort, to make it produce as abundantly as
the fertile valleys of Oregon. We have, in
short, all the necessary resources for a great
country and great people; and instead of
longer paying tribute to California, we may
at once advance to an independent position
if we but wisely use these advantages.
I5gT The tide of emigration to Salmon
river flows steadily onward. During the
week past not less than two hundred and
twenty-five pack animals, heavily laden
with provisions, have left this city for the
mines. The most of these belong to min
ers, who go out, not for the purpose of
speculation, but to take up claims and be
ready To commence CneratiOns at noinin0 IN
the spring. If the reports in circulation
relative to the richness of the mines are