Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1850-10-18
Benjamin FrankIin's Wish.

1t is said that when this good and great man
lived he was constantly talking about fifty
years hence--looking way ahead. Then
again 1t was said that when near his end, he
expressed wish 10 be allowe to come upon
the earth at the close of one half century
from the time he took his departure from this
life, that he might behold the improvements
and advancements, and see how his fellow men
prospered.
Indeed. this was great wish for such a
great man; and imagine it could be done, we
ask what would the stern rigid philosopher
behold He would see the sun as in his day
rise in spendor from the east, and sink serene
ly In the western waters. He ould behold the
moon come forth in all her majesty as usual.
spreading light by night the nations of the
earth. He would see the stars in the vauited
sky, and planets traversing their eternal rounds
In surveying the works of art he would smile
for Joy would surround him. He would see
noble cities, bespeakIng wealth and misery
a forest Of red brick, ranging far and wide
beautiful stately mansions beautiful streets
thr0nged with beautiful ladies-large and ee-
giant halls-magnIh IMPLIES. with towering
spires, beneath whose dome man pours out his
prayer to God. He would behol PRIDE and
vanity. and all kinds IF religion, as we'll as all
kinds of characters. He might behold the
waters whitened with canvass countless sails
tAltNuliiD ever W mere SOiIE returning W I'm
the whale as their capture some loaded with
the spices and fruits of the Indies, with sails
white as the purest rose of June. Ben
would certainly have cause to wonder
He coul4 also see more. franklin could
also see steam ploughing IN ough TIE mighty
deep-crosSing the boundleSs confines Of the
deep blue sea, while around him as he stood
viewing the earth, he would hear the noisy.
rustling car-the suortiHg iron horse drawing
Il train long and MISUNDERSTANDING through
hill aud dale, and from city to city, with vivid
vengeuce. Oh Z! had these thlng<-had such
thoughts been contemplated along those banks
twice twenty years ago, man would have told
man plainly, thou art fool!
We now risk wish that Ben could have one
look at the condition OF our country at the pres
ent period. He would behold lightning car
rying intelligence from place to place-heaf
how Morse harnessed the lightning, and see it
go hundreds of leagues, informing all hands
what was up; informing that the royal steam
eTs had arrived, and that transgressors had es-
capped. He would see that the house loom
had been exchanged for the piano; the harp
for the 81 iuning " heel silks and satins for
brocade; fine costly cloth for iron grey mar
BILE for stone; steam a substitute for canvass
lightning Il substitute for steam; coal for
wood aud, if the promise cf Mr.. Paine be
fulfilled, the most truly wonderful e all, wa
ter for both wood ard coal ard inventions
wrought by his sons, and Inventions wrought
by his daughters. would be before him. lie
would see the spring Of life. and behold the
evening Of industry; national honor, national
character. and national prosperity. He would
mark rocks and trees of his own good days
ah Older than he settlements Of civil, alton.
" Thin the walls Of the city he could enter
the same door-the very room and hail where
Ii good fellow he thirsted for Indepen-
dence.
Ah we wish that Ben cou just snatch a
look at us Of modern times. and then grant US
an honest verdict. " ithin independence
Ha he cou d beho the very chair he occu-
pied-the statute bo Ks persued often by him
and see the same statute Of the great Wash
ngton. Even the pen he held when he sign
the nations brlh-rght. is sti preserved by
a certain historical. society. Yes. in this spa
cious hall, where stout John Hancoc> even
Numbered three times a day, and where the
ustrious proc aimed to the wor the ha low
ed notes Of liberty. could Franklin see.
VI e need not advance; time has wrought in
all its changes, wonders at the close of an
other ha century, The thing is to be done
the unenjoyed happiness unrequited owe to
possess, and undiscovered TO be promu gated,
vii be urged ahead with the same speed as in
these days Man has become great. The
wonders Of these times are start ing-grand
and sub lme