The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-25

Seattle saw the stampede 70 the gold
mines IN rs iueiplercy. and many Of It's
people presumed that T. was somewhat
local III its character ard would endure
bat short time. drawing comparisons
with fraser river and other gold sx-
citsments IN the near vicinity down to
more recent periods.
In the history Of The world there never
was a gold stampede based on a more
enduring foundation than that now be-
Ing witnessed TO the Klondike and the
tributary streams Of the Yukon. 70 ex-
aggerated stories were circulated by the
mlners or the people 70 produce gold
excitement or a general stampede to the
North. There were bat few had heard
OF tbs wonderfully rich strikes. ard
hearing. they could not believe until the
proof 50 convincing that none
could doubt vas placed before
them. This proof came IN solid chunks
ard by the ton. they were golden mug
gets Of truth. and they convinced every
doubling Thomas that the stories OF gold
had not been half told.
Nor are they half told yet. although
spread oyer the world with lightning
speed. News never travelled faster. and
Il vas good news. that made the blood OF
every old miner Jingle with joy, and gave
fresh hope to every man.
ON the 18th OF July-ony about six
weeks ago-this golden news came to Sc
attic In two hours Seattle told the
world Of 1t. and the march began In solid
column. every face TO the front and to
the North.
They have come 1000 strong in this brief
time. and they are continuing to come
There may be temporary barriers thrown
IN their way. such as the passes Of Dyea
and skaguay. but these viii soon be
cleared and the irresistible tide will sweep
on. Nothing WIN stay this tide. 1t IS
now I0.0o0: IL will swell TO q. CO., to 1000
to 10000 within the coming twelve
months and every country and every ma
tionality on the globe will have its repre-
sentative on the waters Of the Yukon.
Is the country large enough to sustain
these men? Look al the map. 1t is a
pretty big country. and e viii absorb
them 50 readily that an observing traveller
passing through might mark Il down in
his memorandum as 'uninhabited' and
''unexplored" Il VIII sustain i.000.e00
people and more.
WIN they discover mines enough to keep
them employed and gold enough to pay
them? The frozen aurlferous soil has been
scarcely scratched by the few hundred
miners now there with their crude appn-
ancos. md yet it has yielded its millions
In a few short months. And this is just
the beginning OF mining operations In the
Land of the Midnight Sun. When the
boy % today reaches mans estate, mining
viii still BE- Alaska's great industry. and
there VIII be a record Of production that
viii astonlsh the world.
Today there are men IN Washington
who obeyed the injunction Of Horace
Greeley and cams West 20 grow UP with
the country. and they have never regret
ted Il. because it made men OF them.
With equal force We can advise TIE
young men Of America 20 go North ana
freeze up with the country. because it Is
a splendid country for them. Il Is
Rigorous climate. it IS true. bat It viii
make vigorous mea OF them. ana
thaf ss tha kind az new blood the re-
public reeds after tho terrible stagnatloa
&c tho ra&t ave years.
Alaska offses the last opportunity 70
the energetic and ssririue young mea
as Amerse.1 sad II d the country 90 which
they should direct their fo4tsters. There
s. every incertfvc for taeir goine-the tn
cenuve ~ wealth, manhoed and good
citizenship.