Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1883-04-12
THE METALLIC BOOM.
What Metals Have Done For the
Race-And What They Are Doing
For Los Angeles.

What Metals Have Done For the
Raoe-And What They Are Doing
For Los Angeles.
One of the marks and indelibie evil
dences Of high civilization is the con
quest and use of the metals of the
earth. Since history began the nations
and tribes Of the earth have been noticed
and respected according to the use they
were able to make of the metals of the
earth. The nations Of the "stone age "
and the mound builders" have left no
evidence of having done anything to
benefit mankind. The metals of the
earth, created for good and wise pur.
poses, were abundant but unused. The
people had not sufficient intelligence to
utilize the wealth beneath their feet.
They had about the intelligence of the
beaver and the monkey, and left no
trace behind them of great works for
the good of man or the glory of God.
The monuments they left were simply
stones, and of them sone enlightened
Rienzi might have said
"You blocks, you stones. you worse than sense
less things !"
The knowledge OF the use of iron,
silver, gold, copper, tin, bronze and
lead has given humanity forward i'm
petus. Since Tubal Cain hammered
copper and brass. the world has changed
intellectually and physically, and the
race has advanced to higher nights of
happiness with every recurring year.
Before knowledge of iron gave man.
kind an economical manner of tilline
the ground, all the time of the race was
occupied in war with animals to slay
them for food and clothing, and to cul.
tisate few roots and fruits and gather
nuts to sustain life. 1t was a constant
strife to maintain existence, often
against fearful odds and with no leisure
for thought or culture. Such days made
gladiators and wrestlers, but built no
ships, bridged no rivers, wrote no
dramas or oratorios, had 10 books or
schools or Libraries, church, or hospitals.
Life was one rude, rough warfare till
man rose high enough to conquer the
metals which made him master of the
world, and gave him power to multiply
his energies and increase his products
hundred fold. This gave the human
mind freedom from constant fear of
starvation, and human muscle moments
OF rest. Then wealth began to accumu.
late and human conveniences to multi
ply and the nations to improve in INTEL
ligence, culture and happiness.
Bronze led the van for implements OF
human use and service. Bronze gave
place to iron, and iron has largely given
way to steel, brass and lead How the
ancient nations discovered the combina-
ton OF tin and copper to produce bronze,
no knowledge is extant. 1t may be that
an ore was found like the bell metal of
the Santa Catarina mountains, that was
perfectly combined by the alchemy of
nature. Metals made man monarch of |
the sea and land and keep him in the
Even in North America
there was no rush. no great progress in
art and science till the metals were dis
covered and utilized, that made the
people independent of foreign nations.
The discovery OF gold, silver, lead,
iron, coal and copper bass sent this country
bowling along at glorious pace which |
never falters or rests. Southern Califor- |
mia is full of minerals, and the people
are just beginning 10 find and utilize
them, and hence the business boom that
prevails and will continue to prevail in
Los Angeles. Our mines are attracting
vast capital to this county. 1t is flowing
into this city. 1t pays large prices for
labor, for tools, machinery, food, fuel
and mining supplies.
Petroleum is carbon and a mineral, |
and that with asphaltum and silver is
pouring wealth into the county. We
have mineral wealth in Southern Cali
fornia that arithmetic would weary in
This, joined to our agricnl-
tural products, will make this the richest
country and Los Angeles the richest city,
per capita, of any in the world. Let us
wake up and open our mines of metal
and wells of oil, establish reduction
works and secure the full benefit OF the
that is now so well progress
ing. Metals will prove the greatest ele-
ment to the progress of all this land
They join hands with agriculture. and
together enrich the State.