Minnesota weekly times., 1855-05-29
Editorial Correspondence.
OK BOARD OF THE GALENA,
Nav Is, 1855.

1t was past III CLOCK III niSht Whei tiio U"ieh"
sounded her whistle and rounded up to the Levee
at Dubuque. Picking up my ''duds," which con-
sisted of myself and an old overcoat, was soon
under full head of steam, somewhat out OF hu-
NOR at the idea of being disturbed in my COM
Portable quarters at tho Julien House, but
| travelling is travelling Capt. Cutie would say,
and consoed myself with the thought that in a
few days should be among those no matter how
soever they may love or hate me, l still consider
travellers with me in my own dear northern home
Elbowing my way through the vast crowd which
interrupted my passage to the boat, | clambered
over innumerable trunks, pushed aside listless
loafers, and finally planted myself before the
smiling countenancc of Mr.. Cochrane, the clerk,
whose significant look was enough to assure me
that nv case was hopeless one-in a word,
should be obliged to hang myself up and pa
tiently endure the hard breathing Q won't call it
snoring) of two layers of brawny men whose
limbs interlocked, and completely covered the
cabin floor On every side were human beings
under and on the tabes-dOubled into several
knots and crowded into chairs-on the deck and
in the cabin-there was no spot but was CLAIMED
by some one who, raging with the western fever,
was wo king off little of his surplus disap-
pointment in muttered imprccations. But what
could be done? The statc-rooms were ful!-the
cabin was full-thc deck was full the chairs
were ful--the tables were full, and it was
generally believed that the boat had on board just
about as many passengers as it could carry. 1t is
always best to look on the bright side Of life, DO
matter how dark the clouds may be over head, SO
seating myself in chair, endeayored to catch 4
glimpse Of rcam-land, and Just as was entering
that beautiful sphere, Qor it is beautiful when
tired nature longs for rcpose,) gentle tap on
the shoulder reminded me that | was cared for,
and the reminder Of the night, or rather morn
ing, was spent in Il sweet, calm slumber. Morn
ing came and with it the turning out Of the hun
drcds who filed every nook and corner Of the
boat. | did not arise until after the first bell
for breakfast, when platoons of hungry men
lined either side Of the table Zone hand the
char,) and all were eager to get 10 the inviting
board. AS matter of course, the ladies must
be seated first, and under such circumstances,
what was !, a bachelor, to do? l knew but one
female on board, and she had company. couldn't
hire even borrow one for the occasion (what
dreadful thing it is TO be bachelor so had
to fall back upon my wits. In company with DIR.
D. we followed in the wake Of tn, ladies', and as
the platoon fell back the appearance Of the
Stewart, rre fell into the chairs, and some were
fools enough to believe that the long Inc of la
dies, the reserve Of which represented actually
belonged to US, were in charge. But
enough Of this-wc got a good dinner and that's
what were after. At every meal the same
marshaling Of forces and filing OF platoons was
rc-cuacteti, much to the ililication Of the stu
dent of human nature.
Did you ever go down among the machinery on
board Of steamboat? You did MT; we'll, 90
with me, but be careful where you step. Look
out for the handle of that winllass, used to hoist
There! thought it would strike you Are you
hurt much! Stunned li.tl,. Well, never mind.
you will get over that-let's go 'long. Here,
close to the boiler, oxen and cows, closely
packed together, and suffering for the want of the
green fields, an occasional glimpse of which they
get in the distance. There sa group of cmj grants
partaking of their humble rcpast, but oh |!
how dirty and nasty everything is about thcm.-
No wonder they die with the choera-no wonder
cmaciated or that babe looks so pimpng. No
wonder that life to them is burden and that
many times death is release. Oh, We who live
in marble halls, and know not what it is to suff +
to lDgcr out miserable cxistencc-to die aw.Iy
from friends, in land of strangers,-go down
in the depths of degradation and woe ,and they will
clean your heart of that pride which rankles
there, damning sink of misery to humanity
How few see life it is. In the cabin above
gaily-dressed children are lcunging on velvet
cushioned seats, and the table groans with all the
luxuries of the season. The gilded chandeliers
reflect back their light upon smiling countcnanccs,
and the merry laugh deadcns even the hum of the
huge wheels, rs in their evolutons they send the
boat along. What see wo here? Hungry and
squaEd children, disheartened and sickly mothers
discouraged, and as is sometimes the case, in en-
perate husbands. 1t is true, these are inevitable
consequences of caste, rather distinctions which
flow from wealth and poverty, but it is sorry
picture for the philanthropist to behold--a sad
commentary on our present social system.
AS VIC approach the Engine and view its pro-
portions, the mind becomes overwhelmed with its
greatness. The engineer touches a piston, and
the hot. seething steam comes kissing out like so
many nfurated demons. Those little pipes over
head convey the steam from the boiler to the ma
chinery, and on the ringing of the bell, it is let
on, and the inanmate body begins to move. The
wheels arc in motion. The gigantic arm (giving
Us faint conception of the arm of the Deity) is
uplifted, and in moment more the vessel is un-
der way. Strange, invisible power! what po-
tency dwells in thy bosom. With what majesty
thou walkest in the spheres, seeming to say,
''Avaunt or I'll crush thee.'' Could Fulton walk
the earth and see the triumph of his genius, even
he would be astonished at the onward march and
universal use and power of steam. l left the
boiling caldron and the huge engine with its hun
dred fingers and brawny arms, and the poor down.
cast cmgrants, and went on deck, if not wiser a,
least more thoughtful man.
Our good steamer made her way proudly up the
Mississippi, and soon after the going down of the
sun, reached the Levee at st. Paul. where that Pc
culiar animated scene transpired which always
awakens emotion in the human breast. and con
vincss one that he is back again to an abiding
place. although ever humble, is still entitled te
the endearing name of ''home.'' ". n.
The City Council OF GHlena have appoint