The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-03-29
oar Mineral wealth

Our Mineral wealth.
The first excitement which followed
the discovery Of gold in California; is still
fresh in the memories of most of our
readers. Ii is about fifteen years since
the tide Of emigration began to flow to-
wards the far western boundary of our
country, and we all remember the fears
that we're expressed lest all those won
derful stories Of the inexhaustible trea-
sures of those untried fields would turn
out 10 &c mere dreams Of wild adyen-
turers and spectators. Time has stea-
dily cireled on, and great State has
grown up upon those distant shores, ri
valing in wealth. in population, in com
mercial enterprise, and in political in-
Aucnce, the old States Of the Atlantic
coast, while the direct yield Of It's min
eral wealth in gold alone, is now not far
from 81 600, 100000.
/ Bu. development is now going for
ward, the result Of which already is TO
demonstrate that California il but a
small section Of great geological belt
of mineral deposits, fringing the whole
Western range of this Continent, from
| the Andes TO Oregon. The silver mines
of Nevada are building up that new
| State. with the same substantial rapid
ty which has marked the growth Of her
Western ncighbor, aud Virginia city
aud Austin, the creations almost Of a
day, are growing TO the stature Of San
Francisco, Sacramento and Marysyille.
What Is popularity known as the Reese
River Region" includes the whole Cen
trail portion Of Negada, and has already
developed an amount of wealth, in
its partially opened silver mines which
might appear fabulous, il We had not
the experience of California 10 roproye
our uubclicf The same hardy class Of
people who have built up the latter to
| its present greatness, Is now fockng in
TO Nevada, aud this country, as yet al
most terra iHcognita TO the quiet pco-
pie Of the Eastern States is starting
forward, with giant strides, towards its
coming glorious destiny.
The uncertainty that attended the
Grst emigration 20 California brings no
encouragement 20 this now wave, upon
which Our tide OF empire is sweeping is
way into our far Western States and
Territories There is no gold, no silver
To be found lying around loose" wait
ing for the idle aud thriitless pick it
up. But there Il lies, stored away in
the veins Of the Toiyabe mountains 10
incxhaustiblo profus!on, only needing
the strong arms Of Capital aud Labor "a.
bring 1t to light aud to convert it into
TIA means of wealth and prosperity
never yet cxcellcd in the history Of the
world. As ia the case Of the minca Of
California, many Of those who depend
upon individual efforts will be sadly
disappointed Organized labor backed
by substantial capital, is essential TO all
success, and there Is, At this time, proba
bly, no opening in the world 50 tempting
50 accessible and SO certain Of speedy
aud most lucrative returns as this new
silver region of Nevada. We need not
wonder, therefore, TO see one silver min.
ing company after another becoming the
centre Of this organized movement upon
the great treasure house Of America --
The vast States and territories which lie
between the Mississippi and the Pacific
are 10 be made to tcem with such pop.
ulatiou Gf hardy aud industrious people
"a the world has never yet seen, and
the mind fails iu its efforts to realize
what effect the deyelopement Of this in
ealculablc mineral wealth is to have up.
on the future OF our country.
So far as Nevada is concerned her fu-
ture is already au assured success
With such stores of hid treasures
within her bosom, there seems no limit
for her power and prosperity and the
reflex influence Of these great mines Of
precious metals upon the older portions
of the country will be as great as that
exerted upon the region which contains
them beneath its surface PhHa Mn.
iag Neios.