The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-08-19
"CAnLETON's'' LETTER,

"cAlaLEToN's' LETTER.
The letter by "CarIeton," who &C.
oompanied the Northern Pacific explor-
ing party, which is published on the
first page, was clipped from an exchange
before our copy Of tho Boston Journal
was received. Comparing it with that,
We find that part we'll worth publishing
was ON tilted. This, given below,
properly comes just before the closing
paragraph Of tho main letter, making
it entire:
THE MOUNTAINS.
All Of this territory lies north and
east Of tho Missouri, and this side Of
the Rocky Mountains, We have spok-
en- Of it q wheat field, and have said
nothing Of its other resources, but here
arc the supplies of timber from which
the people Of more southern sections
are to receive their future building ma
terials. Looking out from my tent to-
ward the northeast I can see, on the hori-
ION, the dim blue outline Of thu tim.
.bered region around the streams FORM
ing the head waters Of the Mississippi.
IF we travel west wo shall find exhaust
less supplies Of coal. Between the Red
River Of the North and the Rocky
Mountains lie the great coal fields Of
this granary of the Continent. On the
streams that find their way into Lake
Superior aud on the Mississippi are
sites for manufactures, where, In COM
ing years, the hum of machinery, tho
clattcr of the shuttle and buzzing Of
millwheels will break the stiffness Of
the primeval solitude.
Go on to the dividing ridge Of the
continent-to Montana-with its gold,
its silver, its iron and coal, fertile val
leys and timbered hills take look at
what lies beyond in Oregon, Washing
ton aud Vanoouver-at the water power
Of the Columbia and its tributaries
the forests Of pine, 60 dense that the
brightest sunlight Of midday does not
dispel its darkness and gloom-to the
water falls, the pasture lsnds-to the
| arabic lands and to the mines of Idaho,
the coal Of Puget sound, the harbors,
unequaled in the world, fronting China
and Japan ; aud over the shortest line
between the Orient and Occident with
climate As mild as that OF Virginia to
half dozen mountain passes where the
altitude does not exceed five Thousand
feet; 10 region where less snow falls
than last winter fell upon the hills Of
Berkshire; to a region which is yet to
be the New England of the Pacific
Coast take in the boundaries Of this
inheritance-not all as yet beneath our
eouptry's flag, but ere long to be =; think
OF the immediate future, if you would
obtain an idea of the material wealth of
the Northwest waiting only the appear.
ance Of the husbaudman. he will soou
be here.
! our company Is resting to-day or
the banks Of this peaceful river. Thu
farmer who lives up the stream anc
tends the ferry where we crossed yester
day has one neighbor within twelve
miles, but twelvemonth hence these
acres will be dotted by farm houses
To-day we have listened to a sermon
from Dr.. Lord, who preached beneath
a canvas roof. We were called together
BY the blowing Of a tin trumpet, but .
year hence the sweet and solemn tone
Of church bells will echo over thes,
verdant meadows.
! The locomotiye-that great civilizel
Of this century, will be here before tn
flowers bloom another spring. 1t will
bring towns, villages, churches, schoo
houses, printing presses-and Million
Of free people 10 its train. I sit rs il
q dream. I can hear, in imagination
the voices Of the advancing multitude
-of light-hearted maidens aud sober
matrons, Of bright eyed boys and strong
armed men. The wild roses are bloom
ing here to-day ; the sod as yet is I'M
turned, aud the lilies Of the field hole
up their cups to catch the falling dew
but another year will bring the begin
ming OF the change. >. Civilization
which has crossed the Mississippi, vii
soon flow down this stream, pouring it
waters into the distent ocean of tn,
North it will sweep on to the valley o
the upper Missouri,
Think Of it young men Of the East
you who are measuring Off tape fol
young ladies, shut up in store through
the long and wearisome hours, barrel
earning your living. Throw down tn,
yardstick and come out here, if you
would be men. Let the fresh breezt
fan your brow, take hold Of the plow
bend down for few years to hard worl
with determination to win, and success
will attend your effort.