The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1895-09-12

Rockies and though Il is lndlsputable
that the politics of the nascent state will
be determined by the Mormons, it is like
wise true that they are enterprislng, pub
lie spirited and have lost In large meas
ure their hostility toward the Gentlles.
The Rocky Mountain states are Young
and are proceeding iE a ten NATIVE way to
test their agricultural resources. The
results are more than satisfactory. They
are now more noted at home for the pro-
ducts of the soil than of the mine. Early
reputation clings TO them, and outside
they are known as mining states with
that conception OF desert waste which
attaches to mining regions. The people
have pressed their mining interest on the
public notice with too much assidUlty
and have thereby aided IN perpetuatipR
faise impression. Their frenzied attach
ments TO silver has no parallel ~ devo-
ton TO sectional interests except aAe thar
of the southern states to slavery.
TIE feeling throughout the west in
favor Of free coinage OF silver Is frantic
in Its intensity. Religious fervor never
exceeded it. The devotion TO silver has
it's origin IN something deeper than hope
of gain. 1t is emotional nIts spontanelty
and ecstatic assertion, and rampant ID Its
aggressiyeDess. Silver is not only king
in the west; it is God, and jealous one
full Of wrath toward those who deny It's
divinity.
The western people have that courtesy
which is ever attendant upon genuine
hospitality; but 1t is replaced at once by
indignant, and not always geutlemanly,
protest if silver be assailed. The chill
dren talk silver and resent any unkind-
Ix,o oil 70, 1oln nv \ nd
are almost impudent in its defen se; busl.
LESS men make gold bug" feel Ike
criminal SO free ale they In expressing
| derunciation. A peculiar feature of their
advocacy is that they deem every single
standard advocate dishonest and speak
| of has convictions with such impersonal
| frankness and disregard of feeling that
| the honest money" man cannot be other
| wise than disconnected.
Notwithstanding this extraordinary
| manifestation of regard for silver a close
| observer can notice evidences of a coming
| change. The very fire of devotion is con-
summing the idol and it Will not be long
| before In the west, even, silver will as
| sumo the position due 1t because of it's
commercial worth. 1t Is now a shibboleth
| for those II opposition 10 the monled
| power of the east. But the suggestions
of self-interest are being felt and they
are to the effect that the development of
| resources is more in the line OF progress
| sion than contention for an idea which
| has not attained to the dignity of prin-
clple.
| just as soon as the mountain states
realize that silver is but one, ana among
| the least of their important industries
| their future is assured. There Is far more
reason why the west should take up irriea-
ton as its battle cry. Upon that de
ponds largely its agricultural develop
ment, and its POSSIBILITIES in this direction
pass the limit of belief when the circum.
scribed area of arabic land is considered,
The wealth which the mountains hide in
their bowels is incompatible to that
which they pour into the valleys, which
await hut the quickening touch of in
dustry 20 shower rewards on him who
had faith in their productlveness. These
lands look ard to one whose eyes are
accustomed to the green fields Of the
Mississippi valley. But they are made
rich with mountain denudation and they
are enduring. The magnificent climate
supplements the fertility Of the soil
Water IS the genius which makes active
these potentialIties. The white metal is
scarcely q circumstance compared with
the question of how best and cheapest
to make available the torrents which
sweep down the mountain sides and com
bine to form the stately rivers.