Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1866-07-28
CALAVERAS CHRONICLE.
MOKELUMNE HILL:
SATURDAY, -: JULT2S. 1866.
Experience

last two or three centuries w all the enlieht-
ened nations of the globe. in the arts and
sciences. in mechanics, architecture, agricul-
ture. and in all the new and.useful inventions
which mark the present age. are the result
Of experience. 1t is true that the steam en-
gine, the cotton gin and the printing press
were invented. and the arts of photography
and telegraphing were discovered years ago
but use exposed heir defects. and the invent
i've mind of man. guided by experience, has
been constantly improving upon the originals
until they have been brought TO the perfect
condition in which we find them at the pres
ent time. Experience was the school in
which the ancient Greek and Roman philos-
and certainly the world has never. since pro-
duccd men so renowned for their wisdom, sa-
gacity and prudence. Trained from their
earliest youth to regard experience as their
instructor these great men SO carefully noted
the actions. the impulses and passions which
sway and govern the human mind. and by
long experience had become so conversant
witt the phases and the mysterious workings
of mans hidden nature. that his most secret
thoughts were laid bare before them. At
the present day. the sad results of the want,
or rather tbe neglect of the warnings and
teachings of experience. can be seen on every
hand. How many thousands of young men
there are in California, who, when they left
the parental roof, perhaps for the first time.
received all the advice, counsel and instruc-
ton which the experience of fond father and
the loving heart of doting mother could be-
stow. AS with faltering steps they crossed
the threshold-of their boyhood's home, which
would never again perhaps be visited by them
they firmly resolved that the correct princi-
pies which had been instilled into their
youthful minds should be their guide, and
shape their course through life. But, alas
lurements they would be exposed upon their
arriva; in the land of gold. Not having the
stability of character and wisdom which ex-
perience alone can give, their good resolutions
we're soon broken, and they were gradually
drawn into the vice and dissipation which
constantly surrounded them. Once having
become addicted to bad habits, and as a nat
ural consequence, lost their self-respect, they
plunged headlong into the maelstrom of sin
and degradation. The result is everywhere
apparent. Look at the prematurely old men
mere wrecks of humanity drifting about
on the sea of Time, enfeebled in mind and
body. unambitious, ainless, not living only
,oziting for the summons of the Angel of
Death-which you meet at every corner.
Improbable as it may appear, yet tits nev-
ertheless true that some people do not profit
by experience. The most striking example
of an instance of this kind which has ever
come under our observation, is now being
exhibited by the editor of the Register and
the citizens of San Andreas, in relation to
county seat affairs. Simply because the Su-
preme Court has decided point in favor of
that town, the editor issues an "extra" and
scatters it broadcast over the county, telling
the boys" to "rejoice;'' that the day was
won and victory had perched on the San An
dreas pelican. He even had the hardihood
to head his "extra" with the significant
aphorism, Honesty is the best policy
Humph! May be it is; but if such is the
case, you don't know it by experience. 1t
is sad commentary on your past course.
In addition to the extra, the anvils were
brought out, and the barren hills and gulches
around San Andreas resounded with their
thunders; whisky was as free as water. and
the good people of that " very fine place"
were as uproariously hilarious as bountiful
supply of the ..ardent" and the belief that in
few days. at the farthest. they would be in
possession of the long-coveted county seat,
could make them. For aught we know to
the contrary, they may have had watchmen
posted. on the tops of the highest peaks in
that vicinity. eagerly straining their eyes in
the direction of Mokelumne Hill, and ready
to give the signal when the cloud of dust
which would herald the approach of the
county officials should become visible. A
little less than year since. this same county
seat case was sent from the Supreme Court
back to the District Court to try scme cues
:ions of fact. The verdict of the Jury was at
first supposed to be in favor of San Andreas
snd upon the receipt of the intelligence in
that place, the people, the editor among the
rest, became perfectly delirious with ioy, and
the same performances were gone through
with which have just been re-enacted. As
near as we can recollect, the following graphic
description of the proceedings ON that pro-
pitious occasion was given by the Register
Everybody dropped everything that they
were engaged in and general jubilee ensued.
Billiard players dropped their cues, card
players their cards. business men their busi-
ness, and cheer upon cheer went up for old
San, ,Andreas. for the Jury which had done
justice. etc., etc. jollier set of fellows
have not met before in San Andreas for
long time. On Sunday evening, just after
dark, two carriages came rolling up Mair.
street, bringing the parties who had been
down 20 the county seat trial. In the first
was B. X. Thorn and w. jeff Gatewood,
bearing a transparency with the motto
Honesty and perseverance will win." Af-
ter the rejoicings and congratulations had
subsidized. Mr.. Gatewood was called upon for
a speech
This jollifcation occurred nearly a year
ago. Meanwhile. those gentlemen who were
cruelty interrupted while indulging in their
innocent amusements, have had plenty of
time to conclude their games of billiards and
cards at their leisure, and San Andreas is
still minus the county seat. Instead of there
having been any final decision rendered, liti-
CATION has but fairly commenced in this case.
There is not the nroha b;l;,v of~e a d.,,,bt buf