The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-05-17
TgE MOUNTAIN DEMOCRAT.
Written tot the Denoerat.
California.

Hs Qe0LOJtcGG ana tOpogTdphtcIU .I"TWn'
ton ; its mineral and vegetable re-
sources it, beautiful adoption to all
the Damts If ciritized man /; ats internal
os15 oskeE necessary improvements its
future as g State.
To free people, emincntly and exclu'
Vively belongs the right, and it is their
duty and privilege, to indicate, examine,
and construct all such mechanical, social,
internal, or other improvements as may
be deemed conducive to the general wal
fare, or the permanent advancement Of
the public good. 1t is, therefore, our
duty, as American citizens, TO examine,
explore and develop all the natural re-
sources OF this part Of the great American
continent; and to construct all such per-
uanent improvements as tend to the ad-
vanceneMt Os Civi.i1atiOn, and are Of gen
era! benefit to the community.
We live in an age of progress, which
no human power can arrest; and it is the
part Of wisdom TO so shape our course,
chat our Larque may glide smoothly on,
and swell the current Of the mighty and
resistless tide. A careful examination Of
this portion of our great continent, pre-.
sents many beautiful and Sfri@i7g RluStra-
tons Of the great and grand design Of an
all-wise Providence. \ geological exam
ination Of this State, clearly indicates
that, at sumo remote period, the Whole
primitive geological structure has been
changed and displaced by internal erup.
ton, or vclcanic action; aud although in
imag:NatiOR, We caR see the earth open.
ing-we hear the thundcrs under ground
we feel tho indescribable rocking Of the
eartlIQuake-we see the volcanic fTeS
burst forth and with rcsiStless force,
throwing high in the lurid, troubled air,
large masses Of rocks which were torn
from carthS centre-we See the 0lighty
Iivers oarUed to steam, and theiy chA!nUels
Ioa-and hnaIly, we seS Inc ina fsiic
Uaountain rise, wkiIe down their sides
Aow streams Of liquid FIRE. Terrible as
we would imagine the effect Of such
wreck Of matter, such a crash Of the
primitive organization Of nature, would
DO to the geographical surface Of coun-
try, yet at this day, how grand the de-
Sign-hOw beautiful the lAndScApe-hOw
sublime the view, which everywhere pre-
sentS itself to the vision Of the behOlder
When We look over the face Of this
State, how admirably do We find all the
natural arrangements suited to the wants
Of Vnaa. Nearly in the centre 0f our west
ern boundary, We find one of the finest
bays on the gkd,e-a perfect inland sea,
sufficiently large to float in safety all the
navies Of the world. Going inland, we
end this beautiful bay To bc natures
Highway to the great valley. which forms
the heart OF the State; aud through the
centre q this great valley, We End tvs"
magnificent navigabie rivers, draining all
the land and carrying the waters from the
mountains to the ocean. Passing the
diru-eion, We at once enter the" foothills
of the majestic Sierra Nevada here we
ato:ce enter the ancicnt land. " 0phir !;
here We tial ourselves surround d by all
the wealth Of the tabled "EI Dorado"
here we find all the elements Of national
greatness; gold in abundance to furnish
all the luXurics necessary t. satisfy the
wants Of the most civilized ard refined
state Of socicty-copper, tin, iron, with
nearly all the known metals, with many
Of the precious stones, as well as marble,
lime, granite, and all the useful or Orna-
ETY. Of timber, furnishing building mnteri-
al Of the fihcst qIality, are found
A climate unequallcd by any portion Of
the Union, soil Of surprising fertility,
producing abmdantly all the ncccsSaries
and many OF the luxuries Of life, u quail
ity unsurpassed. if eqnalled, by any
country oil the globe. Passing an. We
gradually ascend until we reach that point
where the majestic Sierra Nevada is GOV.
cred with a spotless mantle Of eternal
snow.
In no other country do We find the
same majestic beauty OF scenery the
same fertility Of oil-the same abundance
and variety of natural prodnctions-the
same boundlesS resources and the same
geographical conformation. so admirably
adapted for all the internal improvements
necessary to the wants and happiness Of
civilized and enlightened man.
Here, nature, in its grand design, has
left nothing unfinished-herc bountiful
providence has showered choicest bless
ings in rich abundance; and nothing is
now required but the perSevering, indom-
table energy, which has hitherto charac-
terized the American people, to make this
highly favored land the seat Of learning
and refinement, and the contected and
happy home of countless thousands Of
the human race. And shall we under
take and carry out the grand design, and
reap the rich reward of our labor; or
must we wait till manifest destiny, and
more rigid civilization, awakes us from
our indolent slumbers? How long shall
California await the tardy action of the
general government, before her citizens
can I" sit under their own vine and fig
tree, with none to make them afraid, :"
with none to interfere or modest them in
the peacable enjoyment Of their property?