Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-04-24
Wisconsin.


The following is lively and interesting
sketch of the character and progress Of this
| young member of our coniederacy. II is
| from the pen of missionary:
"The present population of Wisconsin is
estimated, by those best informed, to he
! 100000. 1t is composed OF two distinct
classes-Americans and foreigners. What
is the exact proportion of the latter, cannot
say. BY far the grcntnr portion, however,
are Americans. OF these, will first speak.
In some respects the new settlements of
Wisconsin differ from those OF any other
State. That "6acktrood," "squaiier" popula-
ton, which has led the van of civilization in
the early settlement of most of the States, is
scarcely to be found in Wisconsin. Modern
improvements, the power OF steam, aud
the spir,, of enterprise hnvc entirely changed
the character of modern Immigration
Those notions of our new settlements which
are derived from the early history of Wes-
tern New York aud Ohio; those pathetic
tales of frontier life, with its uncoutb man
ncrs, is moral and intellectual darkness, aud
lis tendencies to bnrbarlsrn," which have
formed the staple of so many anniversary
speeches, arc no more true of Wisconsin,
than of Connecticut. Immigration is not
now gradual encronchment upon the will
derness, tho woodmnn aud the hunter
building every new cabin within sight of the
smoke of its predecessor. a steam boat
pnsscs up some solitary river, startling the
Indian aud the wild deer in its course /; aud
in n day, without any intermediate process,
large population, fresh from the Atlantic
const, with all the habits, associations, aud
tnsies of New England life, is transplanted
To the virgin soil of Wisconsin. a year or
two passes, and the wilderness is dotted with
school houses, steam mills, and all the inn
prOvements of modern civilization.
Wisconsin has, probably, more activity Of
mind, aud more energy OF character, in pro-
portion to her population, than any other
State in the Union. 1'h5 mass of the people,
are young, intelligent, and enterprising,--
full Of life, and hope, aud promise.
Aud it is astonishing how much is often
achieved IN very short space OF time. Not
long ago, ] was accosted by genuine Yam
kce, with his subscription book aud "propo-
sails" for telegraph from Green Bay to
Milwaukee. heard his story and then turn.
cd away with nn incredulous smile, and with
the thought that such an enterprise might be
practicable in two or three years, when the
country became little older. A week or
two passed, and the posts were TAP. A few
lU'cIY uili VIC uEtilNN VI hh'''Ni i'H' Nt'S
actunly putting up an opposition telegraph
past my door
In the month of January, lS 10, in passing
through dense forrest where the only road
was II single sleigh track through the snow, |
stopped ut rough shanty, the only habita-
tion visible for several miles, aud was point
cd TO the spot where n celebrated literary in
slitution had been located, aud handsomely
endowed by wealthy Bostouinn. The huge
native oaks were as yet undisturhed. "a
beautiful, romantic spot" said ! "hut what
folly TO locate n college in this wilderness ~
Jusi one year paSSsed,and found myself, one
bright winter morning, on the same spOt'-
But the solitude of the forest was gone. |
was guest at hospitable New England
mansion. looked out iromlmy window on n
village of four or five hundred nhnbinnts,--
the rich notes of piano came swelling up
from the pnrlor below me, while from the
cupola of a handsome three story building,
at u little distance, fine toned bell was call
ing the students of the Laurence Institute" to
their morning duties. This is not romance,
it is but specimen Of every day life in
! Northern Wisconsin!