The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-02-17
WEDNESDAY MORNING, FEB. IA, 1856.
Minnesota, Kansas and Nebraska.

|
We have before us private letter from a
distinguished citizen of one of the Slave States
who last fall visited Minnesota and other re.
gions of the West and Northwest, with a view
of settling himself and family in some one Of
the Territories now attracting the attention Of
the country. He writes:
| II continued my travels LATTER leaving Min
nesota] through the Northwest. The
State of Iowa abounds in rich and beautiful
land, and must become one of the first agrcul
tural States in the Union. 1t is, however
wanting in that pure and healthful air common
to Minnesota, and is far behind her in the grand
and equal distribution of timber-land and
water.
"Nebraska is mere extension of the poorer
portion of Iowa. Kansas is an extension of The
better portion of Wisconsin, and mast and uil
become great Slave State.
But have seen nothing equal in beauty
and richness 10 the healthful, undulating prai
ries of Minnesota. My mind and feelings al
tend to make it the future home of my wife ant
children All my present movements
are tnrned in preparation for final removal tt
St. Paul in the spring."
The writer, it will BIS seen, feels positive tha
Kansas will become Slave State. We have
so thought all the while. The "extension O
the poorer portion of Iowa" (Nebraska) is Civ
en- to freedom, while the "extenson of the bet
ter portion of isconsin'-the lions share
is grasped by the slave power So much fol
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise.
The determination of our friend, however, t.
live in Minnesota, is an evidence of that prac
teal sense and judgment for which he has al
ways been noted among those who know him.
The LATE Hon. LUTHER SEvERAECE.-The
death of this distinguished and greatly beloved
individual, has already been announced in oul
columns. Below we give an article from the
pen of Rev. w. A. Drew-for many years a
neighbor and friend of Mr.. Sever nce-copied
from the Rural Intelligencer ofthe 18th of Jan.
1t gives many item connected with the histo-
ry of the late Mr.. Severance, which will be
read with interest by the friends of the deceas-
ed in Minnesota
Thirty yeas ago-to US, it seems but as yes
terday-we made the acquaintance of a haXen
haired youth who came to this place Just out
of his apprenticeship to Gales & Seaton. pub.
fishers of the National Intelligencer, Washing
ton. He came as an advenurer in the print
ing business, aud issued proposals for a paper
there was none in Augusta-and called it
the "Kennebec Journal" He printed and ed
| tied his own paper, setting the types at his
case from the thinking machine of his own
head. He proved to be the ablest editor that
Maine ever had. In less than five yerrs, the
people forced him into a seat in our Legisla-
ture, then holding its temporary session in
Portland. Afterwards he was chosen to the
State Senate again and again; then he was
forced into the Congress Of the U. S. and less
than twenty years saw the poor apprentice
boy that left Washington in 1925 seeking his
| fortune down east" now member of the Ma
| tiOnal Legislature in the same city, one of the
most talented, efficient and hOnored members
of that body. Meanwhile, he conducted his
paper, with as much readiness and fidelity as
ever. He never sought offce-supremely mo-
dest,-it was always forced upon him, aud the
favor was done by him to the public. not by
the public to him, whenever he accepted a pub
lie trust. 1t was he that made Willard Fill
more Vice President of the U. S. and the death
of Gen. Taylor made him President. Retiring
| from Congress to his editorial post of the Ken
nebec Journal, his health began to fail him,
and President Taylor offered him an appoint
ment as Commissioner of the U. S. to the Sand
witch Islands. He was there for four years. and
returned last summer, with a cancer upon his
under lip. which has now eaten out the whole
lower portion of his face and into his throat,
and has destroyed the power of speaking and
masticating food and yet, true to his ruling
passion" he contrives to write articles every
week for his old paper the Kennebec Jour
nal.
From the last number of the Rural Intelli-
gencer we copy the close of a feeling obituary
notice of Mr.. Severance:
He could communicate to his family only by
writing; and the last words he ever wrote
were on his dying bed. under circumstances
which showed the preparedness of his soul for
its ascent 10 the spirit land. Reckoning bis
daughter to his side. with faint hand tracing
the request upon slate, he signifed his de.
sire that she would sing. The request was af
fecting; and she asked what, if anything in
particular, he most desired her to sing He
seized the pencil. and with trembling dying
grasp, wrote:
81 would not live always,I ask not to stay.''
One can conceive how. amidst bleeding
hearts and weeping eyes dutiful child nerved
herself to sooth the departing spirit of fond
father with the melody of that affecting song
| IAI itS CiOSC, NC OtChOucu W religious
brother, who had stood by him during ali his
sufferings since his return to Augusta, to kneel
at his bedside and pray. He did so and God
heard that prayer. LUTHER SEVERANCE is no
more-rather, he is forever. No man could be
taken from amongst us more universally below
ed or more sincerely lamented. All feel to be
mourners. The City. the State. the Republic,
have each and all lost one of its most valuable
men. His age was 81.
BUSINESS IN THE PINERIEs.-The Stevens
Point Pinery of Jan. 22nd says: Weather
agreeable-settled winter-plenty of snow, ex.
actly suitable to the business of this Pinery.-
A gentleman well posted in the matter suggests
that greater number of logs will be banked
this season, than has been any winter before
A fair business has already been done the
hauling is fine now, and the prospect is
shat the snow will hold on till late. Every
body is in fine spirits, and business goes with
| hum.
"THE FIRST SHALL BE LAsT"-The Evans.
vile und.) Journal says that an old gentleman
aged sixty-fve years, was married few days
ago, in Knox county. in this State, to his sirth
wife, and has only married .fue women. His
first wife is his last wife and she is now in her
forty -ffthgear. She has been married three