Douglas Island news., 1908-03-11
Alaska The Heaven of Here
 And Now.
Alaska

! A13SS T NO"s
 Our readers may have wondered why it is that our editorial page each month is almost wholly devoted to Alaska, 1 her people, her opportunities and her achievements. The reason is simple, yet it is the best reason any one could have. It is that Alaska is the theme dearest to our hearts, and the most fascinating theme on this terrestrial sphere.
 We do not wish to be quoted as criti- cising the Creator of the earth, but we think that cog in his machinery must have slipped when he made this world, or he would not have located all that makes life worth living in one small section of the globe. In this statement we refer to Alaska. Climate, health, wealth, mind and matter-these are Alaska's to overfowing. The human foot has never trod the earth where purer fountain gem the hills, and brighter streams, falling from loftier heights, wind their shining way through richer or loVliervales. The sun never shone upon fairer land or nobler people.
 We have wondered many times, yes, a thousand times, what is in the air of Alaska that stimulates men and makes them all brain, all nerve, all generous, and all energy. We have wondered what it is in these environments which sets ambition on fire and impels it to build happier homes and higher noun tains of wealth. We have wondered what it is in the environments of Alas ka which inspires her people to light the candle of hope and love and open the doors of human happiness. We cannot fathom this mystery, unless it is as we indicated above, that cog slip ped and the Creator located the heaven of here and now on this little spot which was afterwards named Alaska.
 Alaska stands on a par with any other of the states and territories, and
 
 is doing her share in working out the problems of human progress. Emerg- ing from desolatiou, ice and snow, she did not sit down in sullen dispair, but turned her face towards the morning and watched for the dawn of better day. Her pioneers have fought the battles of isolation and hardships and have won the victories of happiness and wealth. Rex Beach, in his novel. 'Ihe Spoilers" dedicated to his mother, paid Alaska a very fitting compliment. It was: "Ihis is Gods free country, where man is man, nothing more. Our land is new and pure, our faces are to the front. If you have been square, so much the better; if not, leave behind the taints of artificial things and start again on the level-that's all. When once you've hit the trail on a winter morning so sharp and clear that the air stings your lungs, and the whole white, silent world glistens like a jewell; yes, CN''N NICLi J ON NC oCCL JuS tugs ing in harness till the sled runners ring; and the distant mountain ranges come out like beautiful carvings, so close you can reach them-well, there's something in it that brings you back that's all, no matter where you've lost yourself"
 MT. Beach, in the paragraph we have just quoted, speaks of winter morn ing, but he does not speak of it in a way that would indicate that even thoughts of winter in Alaska would give him chill, as it does some people who know nothing about Alaska. It is true that the winters in Alaska are cold; it is her only fault, if this be termed fault; but the people find consolation and warmth in the fact that they are really no colder than they think they are-and that it might be worse.-AlaskaM Mining News Record.