The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-08-12
OUR sTATE-wHAT 1T IN AND WHAT
IT MAY BECOME.

Pennsylvania is large enough, territorially,
Ior the purposes of great empire. But its
superficial area Is not more magnificent than
It's natural resources are diversified and abun-
dant. Nowhere else on the face of the globe
Is there tract of land Cf the same extent
which is more literally endowed with all tho
elements of social wealth and power. The
soil Of the State is characterized by generous
fertility that yields the largest returns to en-
lightened and thrifty cultivation.
Dense ferests Of the flnests timber cover
it in all directions, while its mineral treasures
constitute source of enrichment yet uncal-
culated In point OF capaciousness and svsila-
Lility. Yet 1t Is obvious that Pennsylvania,
with all these elements of greatness and pros
perity, Is but slightly advanced beyond q
primitive condition. There are vast sections
of its surface In as rude and unimproved
state as any lying far away in the unclaimed
wilderness Of our western frontiers. One may
travel for miles and miles through certain
regions Of the Commonwealth, where scarcely
any other sign OF civilization meets the eye
than the woodlands cottage dividing long
reaches Of unbroken land, or those marks
which some nonresident owner has set up to
denote the line of title run over what is other
wise savage and unappropriated wild.
Of course, Pennsylvania is not singular In
having so large a part Of its territory un-
tanned and uncultlvated. Most of the States
are sim 'larly situated. Its face is enllvened
with many thriving towns and villages, where
art and industry and social refinement have
made their abode, while between these seats
OF settlement and cultures, the whole country
exhibits the evidence of human enterprise
labor, and intelligence in the shape of canals,
bridges, roads, railways, mills, factories, and
beautifully improved and nourishing estates.
Nevertheless, this huge domain Is only
within the threshold of development. II has
not more than a 1.-THE of the population 1t
could abundantly maintain. The original
forest yet stands on millions of acres of its
soil, in undsputed possession. Its avenues OF
communication, connecting different and re-
mote quarters, are comparatively few, while
the hand of industry has but barely tapped
those exhaustless stores Of wealth which lie
buried within the bosom OF the hills.
We may, then, confidently declare that
what Pennsylvania is can afford no just idea
ofwhat she may become. For a long serie;
Of years certain causes have operated to hin
der and impede her progress. But these are
now gradually passing away. Individual anC
associated capital has been and is being libe
rally applied in improving channels of trad,
and travel, in stimulating agricultural snC
manufacturing activity, and h penetrating
and working the rich mineral deposits tha
underlie the whole surface Of the State.
This forward movement In the career of Inn
, provement has marked a new epoch In tn,
fortunes of the Commonwealth, aud we nov
appreciate more justly its marvellous resource
and capabilities. One striking proof of thi
fact is the increasing supply and growing com
) merce Of coal. New fields OF this great stapl
0 are constantly being opened, The certain an
4 remunerating profits of the business are lu
ducinQ capitalists to invest their means in tn
u purchase Of tracts Of coal land in every sec
ton OF the State, and companies are contir
: ually being organized for mining operations
8 In order to facilitate the transportation
: coal to the markets of the seabOard, railway
!, have been multiplied, and these improve
: ments are giving impulse to industry an
u trade through the entire State. Vast regioI
: If the finest qualities Of anthracite and bit'
Q ninous and semi-bituminous coal formation
: which have only needed a convenient meaI
: of fsccess TO market, are being opened BY II
miner, and are swelling the aggregate pr
r ductiOn. It Is gratifying to know that tn
|. capital source OF the wealth OF Pennsylvan
: Is being 80 rapidly developed 1t is importal
not only In view Of the immense revenue
8 draws from foreign consumers, but G
r account of the stimulus 1t affords to our i
dustrial energies. The fuel Of Peunsylvan
hes become a chief element in the manufa
: turing activity Of the nation.