USA > Alaska > Alaska, its neglected past, its brilliant future > Part 10
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Thus we find humanity, commerce and Territory demand recognition and speedy and vigorous legisla- tion.
There should be no legal question about the bound- ary lines which were accepted by every nation on the globe, if not by treaty or public acknowledginent, then by silent acquiescence, which, having remained uninterrupted for more than a quarter of a century, must hold good to-day. All that is actually needed is for the United States to pronounce with judicial dignity that "These lines are the limit of our legal possessions. No power should be permitted to step
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across to claim an iota." We should provide dwell- ing places for men and families, until they can provide them for themselves. There should be laid out town sites, however small. Forts should be erected, and manned with efficient and entirely trustworthy officers, and men. There is, as justly should be, forbidden the traffic, in any manner, of whiskey or any other in- toxicant, and of personal concealed deadly weap- ons. Let those who are born citizens and those who may become such, feel and know that the arm of a just and powerful government is stretched out to suc- cor and protect all, both dark and white, and it is demonstrated more decidedly every year that Alaska will soon become far from the least valuable part of the United States. Remember, while legislating for armed cruisers, warships, protected commerce car- riers and torpedo boats that the Pacific coast needs their presence as well as the Atlantic.
At this time particularly the United States needs, and should have, constant and uninterrupted commu- nication with Russia, China and Japan without the intervention of any other Power whatever, no matter how friendly. Not so much that the Republic desires to have controlling power, as that her communica- tions with those governments should be truthfully obtained at first hand, and not to be misunder- stood, with no chance whatever for unintelligible or doubtful interpretation based upon unreliable news
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OUR ALASKAN PROPERTY.
fabrications as at present. Russia and the United States have always been friendly, and to hold that condition intact they should have no go-between of any description, telegraphic or otherwise, because a slight misinterpretation might be the nucleus which enemies of either nation could cause to grow into a portentous cloud, and probably generate unkindly feel- ings and serious results.
CHAPTER XXV.
CURB THE WAR SPIRIT.
A S the sea 'is agitated by a coming storin, so, for months, have the great Powers of the earth been fermented with threatening war clouds, but in our opinion, the universality of brooding disaster will prevent much actual contention and bloodshed.
As individuals, the citizens of the United States must naturally sympathize with the people whose ob- ject of warfare is independence from unjust oppres- sion. As free men, our hearts go forth in hearty good will to those who desire liberty. But at the same time one would do well to ponder carefully before giving expression to language which could be inter- preted to lead to universal commotion.
Thus far the United States is not so deeply involved in international difficulties as to require the adop- tion of any policy having war as its ultimatum; and her own boundary question is as yet very much in- side the pale in which peace holds her divine preroga- tive. It is therefore enthusiastic folly for the public to begin agitating the liabilities of armed contention, at least until matters have developed a more distinct embodiment. The very knowledge of the freedom of speech that is enjoyed by the press, as well as by
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citizens, should lead each one to use that right in a judicious manner. Some most deplorable disputa- tions have been caused by rash utterances, as tides of calamity have swept numbers of human beings to terrible and sudden death through one incautious cry of fire. Therefore, patience, caution and fore- thought should certainly guide the speech of all men, particularly during any contentious times.
The policy of all citizens, as much as the Govern- ment of our Republic itself, should be that of an hon- est, earnest and peaceable community, watching with unimpassioned intellect and unbiased mental vision, for the outcome of any political or international con- motion-waiting to allow all other nations an unin- terrupted opportunity to settle misunderstandings or disagreements without unrequired interference.
The age of conquests for territory, or great usurpa- tion for aggrandizement, has passed away long ago, and all good governments, who are true to honest princi- ples, will hold themselves ready to interfere only when the greater Powers are unjustly overpowering the weaker, and when conquerors ill treat those already down-trodden by superior numbers.
The claims of each and every nation, whether the proud dynasty of centuries or the struggling embryo of a future Republic, should receive due respect, and their justice be wisely supported by those Powers who can give them full and entirely disinterested consid-
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eration. Every claim should be weighed in a rigid balance of right, with neither high-handed monopoly nor petty selfishness within touching distance of the delicate scales of Justice.
Long past. too, is the time when one nation may stand alert to fall upon another, when it is so engaged elsewhere as to be unable to cope with additional ene- mies. Only just warfare and honorable accumulation of territory can be countenanced in this age of en- lightenment. A nation, however ancient its lineage, or however superior its station, must fall very far be- neath the limit of true greatness, that will seek to crush or destroy another nation or to monopolize any of its property.
The number of devices by which countries may attain honorable prominence must make the inhuman one of warfare for either wealth or wider boundary fall into desuetude among any but the less civilized Powers of the earth in a very short time, if, indeed, we may not hope that even now such a golden era is approaching.
That there will not be wars and bloodshed in the future it would be intensely optimistic to hope, nor do we question the justice and legality of systematic preparation for battle, and good, hard, patriotic fight- ing for country and principles when they are assailed; but we do not believe in lying in wait for an oppor- tunity to display pugnacious tendencies.
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We believe, while human nature retains its emi- nence over the earth and sea, that there will be oppres- sion, injustice, aggression, greed and cruelty. We believe nation will rise against nation, and that there will be battle, victory and defeat. But we feel that the United States should never interfere in any com- motion until the golden laws of right and justice re- quire her aid. And we are convinced that while pro- viding for every emergency in a numerous and per- fectly equipped navy, and in a series of fortifications that will protect her vast territory upon every side, she should calmly hold herself aloof from all contention until necessity requires action.
In conscious strength, in unassailable honor, in gracious dignity, let our noble Republic stand forever with the words of her immortal Washington as the quenchless beacon guiding to continued and uninter- rupted peace and prosperity.
CHAPTER XXVI.
OUR GREAT NORTHWESTERN TERRITORY AND ITS NATURAL RESOURCES.
B \' slow degrees the value of the Territory of Alaska has been presenting itself for consid- eration, not only abroad, but to the Govern- ment of the United States, and more significant still, the Territory is now waking up to its own importance. In Governor Sheakley's reports we have read very reasonable statements of the progress of business, of education, of mission work and of the increasing power of the few laws which have been thus far adopted for the government of the strangely incon- gruous mixture comprising the population. The ap- propriations for which we asked in the year 1896 are so modest that the only danger seems to be that they may always be thought too unimportant to be considered among the greater demands which present supporters are able to advance. The Government does not seek to "boom" any part of the country, doubtless feeling confident that the time is not far off that will see it take a place in this hemisphere, as Norway, Sweden, Finland and even Siberia have ages ago asserted for themselves in Europe.
Russia did not give the land away, but made a valu- ation; the United States did not take it by force, but
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SECTION OF MUIR GLACIER.
OUR GREAT NORTHWESTERN TERRITORY. 177
willingly paid for it, both countries thus proving that even at that time it was well worth seven millions, two hundred thousand dollars.
In looking at the money transaction, it possibly appears unimportant when compared with the for- tunes of the great millionaire citizens of our Republic; but even looking back thirty years we will discover that stich fortunes, as those which to-day are subjects for 110 wonderment, were then quite remarkable. There were then no such stupendous railroad schemes and other operations from which to garner harvests of greater bulk than were ever before conceived, ex- cept possibly in "air castles," and the Government was more than once censured for having invested such a large sum in so useless a tract.
We are led to believe that the trite old saying, "You don't know what a thing is worth till you lose it," contains a great truth attachable to state as well as personal affairs, when we think that the seal interests on one side and the boundary on the other had to be ominously threatened before any but a few enterpris- ing men (excepting of course the missionaries, who have been faithful laborers for many years) could see in what manner Alaska could benefit the country to which it belongs.
We have mentioned the forts that were allowed to fall into decay; we have seen the defenceless coast near which marauders could carry on a course of pil-
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fering which 110 other country would ever have per- mitted; we have seen our Government pay millions of dollars indemnity for bait taken from the eastern coast of Canada, when now, forsooth, she is arbitrated to pay thousands of dollars more to the same Power for the seals, which by all just laws were her own, and which she justly at this time refused to permit the Canadian fishermen to take.
We find that so long as the boundary seemed to separate only one barren, ice-bound district from an- other it was allowed to remain unmolested, but as soon as American enterprise, howbeit in the shape of a few miners, find gold along near the line and in American territory, the boundary line is so out- lined by map that it is made to inclose those gold mines within British jurisdiction, and again the right of the United States to the purchase is questioned. Fortifications and proper garrisons are now already needed for the protection of interests on the eastern boundary line, and a cry against such warlike prepara- tions was aroused immediately when we wrote in this vein months ago. Proper coast defence and a suffi- cient and competent fleet of armed cruisers for the protection of, not the seal interests particularly, but for all fisheries and commercial interests in general, is now an evident need. But the Siberian Railway is surely winding its way across the frozen north of Europe and Asia, and it as surely will find an outlet on the Pacific
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coast somewhere. We propose a nucleus for a com- mercial centre in a place as close as possible to the Russian border, and we see in the future the vast com- mercial communication by rail that will obviate the present protracted voyages by water, and that could bring Russia, China, Japan and the United States in closer commercial and international relations than ever were known between such Powers, even if we are accused of dreams such as made Aladdin revel in gold and jewels.
We persistently contend that it would be no more difficult to build a railroad through Alaska than through Siberia. In fact, it could be done far more rapidly and readily because of the convenience of the coast communications with San Francisco, Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, Port Townsend and other points of importance, by which the necessary American material could be delivered at different stations along the shore. Begin the enterprise, and see whether there will not be thousands of hardy men willing to under- take the work, toilsome as it may be. How quickly would the iron industries of the North and South fur- nish the rails of steel and iron! How quickly would the millions of railroad ties turn out from the overloaded forests of the great North-West! And how fast, too, would the material for houses, and for schools and churches, follow the trend of advancing industry! No community need freeze when houses can be sent
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to them all ready to be set together for occupation in an almost incredibly short time. Neither need they starve in this age, when canned milk, meats, fruits and vegetables are not only very good, but rea- sonably cheap; when flour and meal can be sealed from injury during transportation; when preparations of yeast and pure baking powders are made to keep for indefinite periods; and in a land in which fish and game are found to be inexhaustibly plentiful.
There is no more reason for Alaska to remain with- out population, than for any far northern district in other countries, to become depopulated. That the Esquimaux have lived and, to a certain extent, thrived in the truly frozen North, proves that others may do so too if comfort is provided. They have existed, not from choice, but from extreme necessity, upon uncooked dried fish and flesh; they have dwelt in ice- formed houses or in underground huts, because other means were beyond their knowledge, as well as far from their reach. But note how willingly they follow the lead of civilized men; how they admire and wonder at every device presented to their consideration; how they become fond of properly prepared food, warmth by artificial means, and the more convenient cloth- ing of enlightened fashion. Fuel has been the most prominent subject of objection to colonizing Alaska, but with the discovery of excellent coal in several re- gions, and with the possibility of still greater areas
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awaiting the prospectors, we think that question is pretty nearly laid at rest. Those who really long for work should think of this region as a new home in the years to come. But even if the quantities of that commodity should be over-rated or insufficient, we can see no reason why the use of coal oil, now discov- ered in vast quantities there, may not become pop- 11lar where blubber and fish have been for ages tlie generators of both heat and light. The de- mand for petroleum would doubtless develop the in- dustry to a much greater extent than at present in otir own country, and it would form a very lucrative object of commerce between Russia and western America. We have long since become accustomed to the use of coal oil for lighting our houses, many people preferring its clear, steady, brilliant radiance to the doubtfully pure gas which so often flickers, fails and flares, to the great inconvenience, if not to the great detriment of sight. Oil stoves for heating and cooking purposes have been in vogue for many years, and they are offered in numerous forms and at va- rious prices, while they have been constructed so scientifically as to render accident very rare in oc- currence.
Why, then, should this Territory remain without settlers when conveniences are attainable, and when the increase of population would not only make the country more valuable every year, but would lead to
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peculiar benefits through inter-State commerce, which is a very important item, even should the trade keep within the limits of the United States. The recent discovery of an immense quantity of petroleum has an- swered the question of light and fuel.
Legislation for the government of Alaska has been necessarily slow and unsatisfactory, and we do not believe that it deserves quite the amount of censure that it receives. It requires very careful thought to plan a set of laws which will embrace its heteroge- neous population, some of which are intelligent and law-abiding, some ignorant and indifferent to restraint, and still others, perhaps the greater number, little less than heathenish in their ideas and inclinations, made so by ages of tribal tyranny. Then again, a new mixed population is certain to gravitate liere within the next few years.
The first step toward proper legislation thien would be to value every portion of the country, allowing tribes and individuals to hold possession of the land upon which they dwell the greater part of the year, and giving them deeds or clear titles forever, with the lands to prospectors, as in all other States and Terri- tories. Value even remote and apparently useless reservations ; then let the Government sell such tracts at proper price. Permit no settling, but grant tracts, as other nations do, even in the wildest parts of the world by purchase or concession.
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But we must not follow the policy of those coun- tries by keeping native populations in ignorance, but rather they must all be educated, and very quickly, too, so that they may become, entirely self-sustaining. We have no vast amount of opium for disposal among hosts of people who, by its use, live a life of semi- consciousness; we need all residents of our coun- try to be clear of brain, alert and industrious. There- fore, education is the first great object towards which the Government must give its prompt aid. Education will bring intelligence, intelligence will arouse genius, and the natives who know and love the land will one day, in the near future, become the workmen who will cultivate every natural resource of their beloved country.
Land valued and people educated, the next step must be to place a proper estimate upon every com- modity indigenous to the country, whether it be furs, metal, minerals or timber, fish or meats; encourage every industry on sea or land, and the next century will look back upon the neglect of the years gone by with surprise, while rejoicing that justice and energy, though tardy, paved the way to Alaska becoming a bright star among the splendid galaxy which repre- sents the United States of America.
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE FUTURE OF ALASKA.
T HE impetus has been given, and now nothing short of an armed force could prevent im- migration to Alaska. It is too late to warn the ambitious miners, or those who intend becoming pio- neers, against cold weather, loneliness, difficulties, dis- asters, disappointments. They think they have fully counted the cost, and with determined energy they go to face all impediments to fame or fortune.
Year after year summer tourists are increasing in numbers since the comfort, safety and pleasures of the grand northwestern trip in commodious steamers has been verified, not only by stalwart men, but by deli- cately reared women, and even children, who have all returned overjoyed by the glorious beauty of Alaskan scenery-forests, water ways and glaciers.
The enchanting descriptions, oft repeated, have found echoes in hundreds of hearts which have so longed to behold new attractions and to change from the beaten track of travel, that they were exceedingly delighted to turn toward the frost-crowned North, ap- proaching its particular characteristics of country and people with unusual combinations of fear and pleasure in their anticipations.
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THE FUTURE OF ALASKA.
It is not surprising, that men who have probably been without work, and who have grown discouraged with anxious waiting for better tinies, should resolve to try their fortunes in the virgin gold fields of whose existence they are continually assured. Their hope of success cannot be regarded as altogether foundation- less, for they hear of missionaries of both sexes who have been able to live even in the bitterly cold and altogether unsettled districts, and who are eager to return to the scenes of their labors, after a visit to their seemingly much more congenial homes.
Doubtless quite a number of these adventurers, who expect to face the rigors of climate and the dangers and privations of pioneer life, will return totally dis- heartened and broken in health, but many will stub- bornly hold out against every difficulty, pride or pov- erty supplying the magnetism which will bind then fast to the inhospitable soil. It requires no gift of prophecy to foretell that some of these inen will turn toward the British settlements, which thus far are the only well-boomed ones of the gold regions of the Upper Yukon River, and the Territory will in this manner lose temporarily a few of its citizens. Te- nacity of purpose and power of endurance are the very important elements which are requisite for the building up of the population that will one day develop the vast mining industries of Alaska.
The duty of the Government is plainly outlined, and
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if its plans are not soon matured for the protection of its citizens, as well as for its pecuniary interest, there will be a time of useless regret and a serious complica- tion of international difficulties that will require able statesmanship to unravel.
We repeat that it is the first duty to lay out and con- struct forts or small towns in close proximity to the point toward which the tide of immigration is tending, thus rendering it possible for the men to remain upon the ground all the year round in order to protect their claims. The second is to acknowledge the value of the mines in some reasonable amount, and to legislate for the interest of the government as well as the indi- vidual, and to guard these two with consistently legal measures, and property rights and titles.
Certainly some time must pass before the quartz inines can be worked with great success, but the pos- sibilities can no more be determined now than were those of California and Colorado less than fifty years ago. The experiences of those times and localities should supply food for very careful consideration be- fore the Alaskan gold, copper and coal mines are shelved as unattainable or altogether mythical.
But allowing the probability that climate and other insurmountable objections may deter the lucrative working of the mineral deposits of the Territory, still there is employment in the near future for those men whose enterprising spirits are guiding them north-
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ward, for the day is coming when an Alaskan rail- way will become a necessity, when the commercial interests of the Orient and the Occident will be brought into closer touch.
Setting aside for a time the possibility of a con- tinuous railway to Bering Strait, still, close com- munication can and will be made between Russia and America by building seaport towns at convenient points on either coast, and establishing a fast steam- ship line between them, thus shortening the voyage by many days, and enabling a more advantageous commercial intercourse to be assured to the interests of both vast countries.
How much better and cheaper it would be to give strong men employment now, than some day be compelled to give support to disabled and uninten- tional paupers. Even to-day railroad connections be- tween Juneau and the several points, at which gold and coal are known to be procurable, would increase the value of those districts and the populations of both that city and the mining camps. Why not, therefore, begin these lines of railroad, and give work to men who are eagerly longing for something to do? Many will be found as willing to labor at hewing lum- ber, cutting ties and laying tracks as they are now to work with pick and shovel in prospective mines. They will work, they will build cabins for themselves, and in time their wives and families will follow them,
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and the development of Alaska will be another phe- nomenal demonstration of American pluck and enter- prise, because that which the Government has de- ferred doing for Alaska is apparently upon the eve of being accomplished by these men, who will so far succeed as to soon be able to demand both internal and naval protection for themselves, their families and their property, until some day the Territory will be- come a self-defending State, and thus the serious prob- lems of what to do with Alaska will be solved.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE RESOURCES OF ALASKA.
P ROOF after proof makes it constantly ap- parent that Alaska will in time not only be thoroughly self-supporting, but that its numer- ous sources of revenue will become quite important to the commerce of the United States.
Despite contradiction, ridicule and neglect, the gold mines are becoming the object of greater inter- est year after year, until it has already attained such proportions that even a trifling success, like the Klon- dyke discoveries, will cause a continued rush to the gold fields, such as invaded the other gold-yielding States years ago.
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