The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1869-04-15
Special Correspondent
GEORGETOWN, CoI1RADo, |
April 1st 1869. !
GEN, J, M, HEDRICK.

Slr: since my last e
you, we have had an unusual season
of repose, unbroken by those Incl
dents which have rendered frontier
life conspicuous. Independent of the
| many inconveniences " hich attend 8
life in the Rocky Mountains, to the
adventurous there is a species of fas
cination which lures one TO spot
around which clusters so zlany natu
raj curiosities calculated TO appease
the appetite Of that class Of the hu.
man family.
Mining, tho chief resource of the
country, can be very appropriately
compared to lottery, in which the
lucky ones are in a most decided mi.
nority; yet, this fact does not deter
men from investing. Sowfth mining,
occasionally you will see b man toll.
ing and drudging among the rocks
and crevasses of this vast chain oi
mountains, owning nothing but a
scanty supply OF mining implements
and few weeks provisions, make a
lucky strike, and suddenly become a
millionaire. These cases are becom-
ing daily moro rare, owing to the
fact that mining here is rapidly as.
suming a moro substantial basis, and
the country moro thoroughly devel-
oped.
The excitement now is, the almost
fabulous accounts which reaches us
from White Pine, Nevada, and a
great many are preparing to test
their truth as soon as the season
opens. Also from New Mexico and
Arizona, reports, if committed to pa.
per, would remind one Of the palmy
days of the Montezumas. From per.
sons who have traversed those Ter
ritories we learn of many monuments
various descriptions standingthere,
mementoes of that advanced degree
of civilization known to have existed
there before the treacherous Spaniard
despoiled them of their inheritance,
in the name of Christian civilization
and enlightenment. Cities and
towns, evidently submerged by vol
canic eruptions, are known to exist,
in which can be found species Of ar
chitecture unknown even to the Gre
clan experts, mouldering away their
origin and knowledge of manufac-
ture, buried in the enlightenment of
the conqueror. But, thank God! the
day ofretribution has atlast dawned,
and thu chufioo s~h.oi, us.~ ~,cen drain
ed to the bitter dregs by the semi
civilized Cat lcast) nations of Mexico
and Peru, is now presented to their
naugnCy cOnquerors.
So the world moves. The CON-
moners Of the Old World, gathering
inspiration from the young Giant of
the West, just emerged from a con
flict, regenerated and purified, the
foul blot Of human bondage erased
from her proud escutcheon, causes
tho streets to resound with the cries
of Liberty and Independence, and
the miserable despots to tremble for
the safety of their thrones. No lon-
ger can be heard the vaunted boasts
of tho British Thunderer, pointing
with evident satisfaction to our Re-
public in the throes Of dissolution, as
evidence of the instability of Democ-
racy; but now, coweringover mine
prepared by the i'll treated subjects
of the most nefarious despotism, to
which at any moment The torch Of
righteousness may be applied. When
RepubIicanism once becomes proper
ly inaugurated among the despotisms
of the Old World, there is no extra
ordinary amount of foresight requir-
ed to foretcll the speedy dissolution
of the monarchies of the world.
Since my last, the anniversary of
Irelands Patron Saint has paid its
annual visit. Hero, there being q
goodly number of the sons of the
emerald Isle, celebration was held
which reflected great credit on the
participators. The absence of ca
lamity water" on the occasion, was
an omen Of good import. From be-
ing improved as an opportunity of
sectarian rejoicing, thus glorifying
the cause of Erin's degradation, it
was clothed in the garb of National
holiday, or rather devising ways and
means to recover lost nationality.
After procession Of an armed band,
the Irish Nationalists oongregated in
their hall, which, by-the-way, was fill
ed to overfowing, to hear an eloquent
and stirring address, delivered by
Jas. Gum, esq, District Centre
The absence Of sectarianism, and the
glorifcation of dead heroes, were
features in his Grafton which many
might initiate with credit. The
cheers which greeted those advanced
ideas of Republicanism ovinced a
right spirit in the work in which they
are engaged.
The weekly visitation of your val
liable journal is a period looked for
with interest, and the manner in
which it's contents are mentally de-
voured, demonstrates the estimation
in which it is held by the writer.
Seeing you published the valedicto
ry of A. j., l have avoided as far az
possible egotistical phrases, knowing
we'll that the run on i" sorts was
fearful.
Wishing you all manner CT success
in your useful sphere,
| am yours. &c.