Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-06-25
From the Wisconsin Farmer.
The Business Of Mining.

/ OF laDoF spent, nave uhquestlonably yielded
more thar the lead mines OF any other
part Of the world. The lead ore raised in
these mines, including the little raised in
Missouri, equals about one-sighlh Of the
whole quantity obtained throughout The
world. The fact has justly placed this mi
, ming region before the world, as one {
the greatest deposits of this metal yet
known
Bur important as these deposits are, and
vast as have been their yield, mining as a
branch Of industry, has received but little
attention; indeed it i not yet established
as such. a large portion Of those en-
gagged in the mines, put in the labor Of
their hands, and the sweat Of their face, as
they woald put their money into lottery,
or any other game of hazard without aly
rule to guide them, or any assurance Of
success. On this gambling system, mi
ming in Wisconsin has been thus far con-
Quoted, consequently has never been regard
ed as legitimate, and permanent branch
ofindustry.
We admit that there is more or less
speculation connected with mining every
where; and the best systems Of mining
ever formed are more or less hazardous.
This grows out Of the fact that the pro-
ducts Of the miner are not ike those OF the
mech ne, carved out of materials that lie
plentitully around him; nor like those of
tho farmer ohta ned by simple process OF
agriculture; but arc obtained from deep
subterraneous caverns, whore nature has
leekld her wealth; the key to which is
often turned only by the united efforts Of
labor, capitol and intelligence 1t is true
nature adapts herself to the simplest form
Of mining, and to the earliest stages Of So
ciety, often scattering her gold among the
a sand Of the river, and her lead ore just te-
meath the soil, by way of inducing man to
$ Toll her steps into the unexplored regions
! below; but the metallic resources Of the
8 rock are often deep, to guide US to which
: We need the light OF science and experience
aud the aid Of capital. In proportion as
we possess these things, will the hazar GUS
speculative nature Of mining disappearand
!. it will take its place among the more i'm
portaut branches Of industry. In old es-
tabIFhed mining countries, where the ge-
be illogical position is understood, the nature
y of the veins are w2l developed, and the
of capital necessary for Mining purposes can
4 he bad, we find mining cared TOR and pro-
4 tected rs an important branch Of indasuKin
which labor in the aggregate is as richly
rewarded a. in aal other This faet has
). been noticed from the earliest antiquity, and
mining has formed bronch of industry to
= the most tqrbarous' as well as to tie most
civilized communities.
We can scarcely signify with the name
Of mining, the simple operation by which
=, the ore has been obtained from the suffice
"a deposits Of the Wisconsin mines. If in
deed it can be called mining, it must be
ranked among its simplest forms. Hence
ne IT'S hazardous character, and the .ghG in
= which it had been viewed as q speculative
uncertain employment. But | would ask
the thinking intelligent people Of this State
D Thinning can become an important and
permanent branch Of industry, and occupy
an important place in political economy
ae anywhere, why not in Wisconsin? This
question is often asked, but never very sat
isfactonly answered A certain class will
tell us it will, at some future day. At
present they say we are a young State +;
have but little surplus capital; and what
We have, finds more profitable Investment
: elsewhere. And beside this, the political
economist aflirms that nature in this res
pect must regulate herself 1t is her work
to adjust the interests of and establish the
relation between the different species ofin-
dastry, and We must patiently wait her
time.
But few are more ardent in their attach
o merit to nature than | am but few would
be mora careful to allow her claims In
r studying natural science | never think OF
d debating laws to her, but to carefully read
what she has written. In studying polite
al economy, | would not invade herrights
but would collect the material which sh9
has provided; apply the principles which
: she has laid down; and then hnmbly per-
form soae of the duties which SHE has en-
l joined upon civilization and intelligence
Much as nature has done in political econo-
. my, she leaves very much for man to Do.
and invites him to become a co-wofker
!. with her ID collecting and establishing the
+ principles and elements of prosperity. Inc
E political economist canuot fail to see that
: certain species Of industry awaits che march
Of civilization, and remain as though they
We're not, until brought forth by the efforts
Of Intelligence. To this class mining es-
pecially belongs And it is to be feared
that the reason why mining is net ranked
i among the most lucrative and permanent
!, branches Of Wisconsin industry il, moi be-
cause nature has NOT dqae. her part but be-
cause nature waits for niSAsso de ms.
40 BE coNr42J
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