THE CONQUEST OF ARID AMERICA 



such beauty and grandeur as may be felt, though not de- 

 scribed. 



Such are the materials of Colorado. Let us look now 

 at the people and their civilization. 



Intense local patriotism is a well-recognized western 

 trait, but in Colorado it amounts to a religion. We 

 have seen how the progress of California was impeded 

 by certain elements of its population having no sym- 

 pathy with its higher ideals, no pride in its best achieve- 

 ments. If there is such an element in Colorado it is 

 unseen and unfelt in the larger life of the State. The 

 community is dominated by a spirit of aggressive enter- 

 prise which recognizes no impossibilities, harbors no 

 doubts' of the future. This is the explanation of 

 what we may fairly call in view of the brief time con- 

 sumed in its evolution from conditions essentially bar- 

 baric the splendor of Colorado civilization. It is this 

 which created Denver, almost the fairest of American 

 cities; which made Colorado Springs the centre of 

 wealth and refinement ; which blackened the sky of Pu- 

 eblo with the smoke of a young Pittsburg; which 

 planted Leadville among the clouds ; which placed a 

 steam ladder against the dizzy summit of Pike's Peak ; 

 which carried the iron highway of commerce through 

 gorges and mountain - passes ; which turned rivers out 

 of their courses that barren soil might blossom with 

 the homes of men. This high public spirit is seen in 

 schools, colleges, clubs, public buildings, and improve- 

 ments above all, in the homes. 



It has been the policy of those who have taken riches 

 from the mines to invest them in developing the Stafo's 

 resources and in beautifying its cities and towns. In this 



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