Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1860-03-10

~ ASS0-
Editor Reporter While barring off
the blunt end Of my pencil to resume
my lettings by the way side" re-
call to mind that couplet of Byron so
true and appropriate -
" lis pleasant sure to ones name in
print;
A books a book although there's nothing int,
However, I shall deny myself the
pleasure and glory Of full recogni-
ton by your readers since l write so
hurrledly and carelessly of s'prairie-
state scenery and incidents, and
scribble SO loosely of this land of de-
generate democracy-of broad rivers
and prairies-of big corn and potatoes
-of Usage orange and locust trees-of
large villages and large farms-of
banks and corporations-of numerous
herds of horses and cattle-of tele
crap his, railroads and canals-of coal
and lead mines-and also this land of
ingenuity, intellectual force and enter
prise. For the last week / have So
journed in the famous valley of the
Fox River-one of the richest portions
OF the State. | seriously conjecture if
there be another area of ground else
where of the like space, so well spread
over with villages and handsome
country residences. The soil too On
Fox River, is of the best quality, and
the staple products, corn, wheat and
oats, come in largely every year, album
dainty rewarding the tolls of the far
mcr; the River towns are large and
prosperous-Elgin, St. Charles, Gene
va, Batavia, Aurora, Montgomery, Os-
wego and Lisbon.
At this last mentioned place I en-
countered troop of old acquaintan-
ces and relatives, whom had not tax
en- by the hand for the last twenty
years. In youth we parted on the
great thoroughfare of life, and passed
different routes up to the present time.
Our juxtaposition again furnishes oc-
casion for profound reflection on the
goodness of the Supreme presence as
''the days of auld lang syne" rush back
with force upon the memory. Among
these old neighbors, I recognize ONE
that have become rich-others the
companions Of my rambling school-boy
days, f not rich, are at least wel-to-
do i'll the world, and occupy respecta-
bic positions in society. One, who
was in days Of Yore, white haired.
ill-clad boy, of inferior mien, has be-
come 4 lawyer Of eminence,-is now
district attorney, and is bending with
eagle glance, his footsteps towards the
floor of Congress. And if | am any
prophet, he will soon obtain the object
of laudable ambition.
I find the majority of the people on
my route, to be of Republican procliv-
tiles, and that in many localities John
Brown sermons have been preached,
in Difference to the virtues of the In
flexible courageous Old hero-and pat
riot multitudes are now anxiOuSiv
weighing probabilities In respect to the
action of the approaching conventions.
Whatever that action may be the uIti-
mate issue of the course pursued is
near at hand. .
OF one thing we may be sure, that
the threats, violence and prosecutions
of the South, will only open the eyes of
all but naaaiocs, and will surely precip-
itate the event SO much dreaded by the
hostile minions of oppression.
In regard to the roads for the last
few days, / have to record rough ex-
perience. In progressing from Lisbon
to Kankakee City, the traveller will
meet with soil Of clay and loan that
composes bed Of mortar that we'll
nigh stiles and chokes the locomotion
of men and horses. At this present
moment travelling can only be accom-
plished by '..torced'' marches; a few
days of sunshine and dry weather, will
in all probability, effect important i'm
provements in favor of the stir of a
busy world. VIAToR.