Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-01-25
THE PROMISES OF THE RoACBIyG
SDRUNG

o 'iliie aPpIoaches, WIN spring nut little
over month off, which points to a season of
unprecedented activity in developing the re-
sources of Maryland; and if the special session
of the Legislature should accomplish no other
good purpose-and we do not mean to init.
mate that this called session was not needful-
we should undoubtedly congratulate ourselves
on the facilities that it will afford by the incor-
poration of companies for those extensive en-
terprizes, which otherwise, and relying upon
single handed endeavors, would prove too
formidable to be attempted And if we are
not-as in some of the great Northern cities
commended to the thousand far distant under
takings, associations of capital for the de-
velopment of the silver mines of Nevada, or
the gold of other regions in the far West, we
at least have the satisfaction of knowing that
right around us, within our own State, are
natural riches, which only need skill and
energy to develop them, to make our people
in the highest degree prosperous to give to us
those splendid advantages which wait on com
munities able to command whatever is needful
to education and refinement, and, indeed, to
the highest type of enlightened society.
And in considering for few moments these
natural advantages, let us remember that
under certain conditions, it is lust as well TO
dig for iron and COAL as for silver and gold.
We were shown the other day some of the
famous ''gold bearing quartz just received
from a gorge in the Rocky Mountains. re-
markable for its deposits of gold in this form:
and we found that so mixed was it with foreign
substances, with n congomeration of min
erals, lead, arsenic nickel, etc, that the
mining of the ore was but small part of the
labor needful to make the gold available; that
before any profit could be realized, the outlay
must be perfectly startling and appalling, be,
fore one could begin to realize return of the
capital necessary to be invested With the
gold in the crude ore absolutely invisible to
the naked eye, and indeed, seldom detected
even by a powerful microscope. the costly,
and as yet imperfect processes for extracting
it by crushing the ore and amalgamating ii
with mercury, must be precarious and dis
couraging to the last degree; because where q
wagon load of ore will return but about twenty
dollars OF precious metal, leaving behind 1t
twice as much perhaps as is secured, it is the
most different thing possible from achieving
results by the old California method, hitting
upon pocket occasionally, and transfer
ring therefrom thousand dollar Jumps to The
searcher's Golfers. In these present attempts
in gold mining to realize great results, it is of
course as much on investment of labor and
capital, as where these are applied to iron and
coal anywhere IF costs dollar for dollar to
dig gold, or if it should happen TO cost more
with no good prospect of striking upon rich
Accommodations of treasure, a man had better
dig anything else, coal, iron, copper or even
clay for brick making, which pays him moro
than his outlay; and so it is that with all these
facts present with us, it should serve to pre-
vent our people from being dazzled with dis.
tant prospects of sudden wealth. and cause
them to dig for and develop the riches nearer
home.
We are glad then, we say, to see evidences
on every side which point to these common.
sense and sound conclusions, in the endcavors
to aggregate capital for certain undertakings
within our State. We have intimated before
to-day, how suggestive are the titles of some
OF the bills now before the Legislature. or
which have been acted on by that body; bills
to incorporate companies for the manufacture
OF files, OF coal oil, to settle lands, to increase
mining facilities, to incorporate an ''agricultu
raj and wine growing" association, &C., &c.
all, and scores beside, which show a waking
up; growing appreciation of the advantages
concentrated in Maryland certainly but little
thought nf in tho poot. Already, and since
the war has been brought to an end, the
waters of our splendid bay have been made
alive with a steam marine never known in the
past. let matters progress a little further.
and the attention of the nation will be drawn
to what has been well called the "Mediterro.
nean' of this portion of the continent, until
1t will literally swarm with fleets Transporting
its myriad valuable productions 10 all points
where needed, creating 4 commerce valuable
to the last degree.
Then, we say-let all enter upon the coming
season with good hopes and expectations of
what may be accomplished by hopeful view
OF our affairs; and more occupied and devoted
to the material interests and development of
these natural advantages on every side, than
in disputing or wranglmg over this or that ex
ploded issue in politics, let all join hands to
recover the State from the losses and disabli
ties of the past. Four or FIVE years of strife
must surely be enough for even the most tur
bulent and dissatisfied, without commendinr
us to longer quarrels. If other States have
dlscouraging prospect before them for long
time to come, everything goes to prove that it
Is not so with us. If our labor has been lost
or disorganized, it is something to know that
more advantageously situated than most other
States, skilled industry stands ready, if proper
ly encouraged, to take the place of that which
is gone. We hope and trust then, that all
will consider these things, and remember that
whatever may be considered due to the interests
OF faction or of party, still more is due to the
best interests of Maryland.
ST. JOHNS COLLEGE,
&c ,nta