Near the splendid streams, picturesque ridges, and lovely
valleys of the new State, health and happiness may be found, even
peace.
The State capital is located, drawn by the golden magnet, at
Sacramento. The only conquest left for the dominating Americans, is
the development of this rich landed domain. Here, where the Padres
dreamed over their monkish breviaries, where the nomad native
Californians lived only on the carcasses of their wild herds, the
richest plains on earth invite the honest hand of the farmer.
The era of frantic dissipation, wildest license, insane speculation,
and temporary abiding wears away. Bower and blossom, bird and bee,
begin to adorn the new homes of the Pacific.
Mighty-hearted men, keen of vision, strong of purpose, appear.
The face of nature is made to change under the resolute attacks
of inventive man. Roads and bridges, wharves and storehouses,
telegraph lines, steamer routes, express and stage systems, banks
and post-offices, courts, churches, marts and halls, all come as
if at magic call. The school-master is abroad. Public offices and
records are in working order. Though the fierce hill Indians now
and then attack the miners, they are driven back toward the great
citadel of the Sacramento River.
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