New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-12
GOLD As a CIVILIzER.

Ii Is NOT Dey0nd the range OIL POSSIBILITY tuat
city may spring up in the Klondlke Valley or
its neighborhood, to become the northernmost
commercial centre Of the world. Such result
would be in accord with former discoveries OF
the precious metal. 1t was gold more than any
thing else. perhaps, that led 10 the first settle
ment of North America. The second voyage 10
jamestown was made for the purpose OF mining
gold. and the Newport's crew believed them
selves immensely rich as they re-embarked for
England with n cargo Of worthless yellow dirt
Sir Humphrey Glberts followers were deceived
in much the same way in 1888 at the island OF
Newfoundland, except that they freghted their
vessel with quartz supposed to contain silver
instead of gold.
In the century following the discovery OF
America three successive expeditions were made
to a point north Of Hudson's Strait, to Meta
Incognita, in about the same latitude as klon-
dixie for gold, because the refners had declared
a piece Of rock which FrObsher brought home
with him to contain that metal. The only real
gain in these cases was an increased knowledge
of geography. though many shlploads Of shining
mud and spurious ore were carried to London.
1t may be urged that Publishers original voy-
age in 1916 for the purpose Of discovering
a northwest passage 10 India. But his real
purpose, alike with that of the great Vasco, Co
lumbus and many others, was to get at the
wealth Of the East. Of Cathay and the regions
where, according to Marco Polo were to be
found 1.-THE golden pagodas Of Burma" and THE
golden-roofed palaces of Eastern Thule"
The discovery Of glitterng particles In Colo
mel Suffers millrace in 1S4S caused the city OF
San Francisco to rise from the little hamlet OF
Yerba Buena in almost a single year, while
Sacramento, from four dwellings, in twelve
months became well-built town Of seven thou
sand inhabitants. The impetus which that dis
covery gave to nearly all forms Of industry was
phenomenal Nnety.nine vessels left our At
lantic ports in a single month. in part bound for
the Isthmus their passengers to brave its dead
" climate and then re-embark, but the greater
number for seven months voyage around the
Cape, some seventeen thousand miles to San
Francisco Long lines of prairie schooners trav-
ersed dreary barren wastes. crossed streams
and mountain ranges, their inmates suffering
thirst, hunger and cold to reach this land OF
gold Men left their ploughs in the field, soldiers
deserted from the Army and crews abandoned
their ships. Clergymen preached against the SIN
fulness Of riches and Joined expeditions to Call
fornia. 9Ien of education and refinement waded
ii
and rocked their pans and cradles side by side
with Malays, Sandwich Islanders and Digger
Indians. 1t is estimated that more than 10000
persons, including adventures from South
America, Australia, NewZealand, China and
the Malay Peninsula landed ut San Francisco
during the first year Of the excitement.
Similar results followed the discovery OF gold
in Australia. In a single year the population
increased from 10000 to 100000, despite the re-
moteness OF the place from the civilized world
The early discoveries being made by those who
had returned from California, and the news
quickly spreading. a considerable number OF
miners left San Francisco for the new diggings,
while steamers from every port In Europe, sail
ing vessels and water craft from all parts OF
the world, double canoes dugouts and catama-
rams, turning their prOws as II Influenced by
some powerful magnet toward Australia, car
rled swarms Of men to its shores. From South
and Central America they went, from China,
Japan India and the South Sea 1slands-all
feverish to find the yellow metal. This move
mcnt started with the discovery Of ore at
Bathurst, New-SOuth Wales. in April, 1851, by
one Hargreaves, but richer desposlts were found
In Victoria some sixty miles from Melbourne,
and the result was the very rapid growth Of
that city. and the expectation Of not less than
S1OO,OOO,OOO in gold before the end of the year
1852. Like results followed the discovery Of
gold in Colorado and Montana, the cities Of Den
yer and Helena being proof sufficient Of the as
sertion SO 1t is conceivable that n city may be
founded at Klondike or in its neighborhOod, TO
become perhaps great summer resort as well
as commercial centre, and possibly to constitute
a base of supplies for the ultimate exploration
Of the Pole