The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-06-06
Letter from Michigan.

r. .4e Editor Of The CQledOman
lansing, the capital of Michigan, is stuck
WV back in the woods. Though approx
~..-y near to the center Of the Lower Pen |
,,,,4. il IS bv no means as near the center
..rop4ation. North Of line running east
s.., west through Lansing, there are perhaps
1000 inhabtants south of that line, up
wards Of 100000; that is if recently publish
statistics have any truth in them. A doz-
a, or fifteen years ago, some of the good peo-
De Of Michigan took it into their wise heads
Ia; Detroit was no place for the capital, and
must be removed to some central spot, say
4a>ng. But" says one, "there are no
ses in Lansing "No matter" was the
rr,y there soon will be-" And the pres
~. capital building, moderate two-story
',ictare Tow OF dinsy white-was built.
N,hin few rods, maple sugar was made
.e next spring, and state officers cursed the
LAY that anybody ever thought Of removing
'.r capital to Lansing. To-day, Lansing is
.jsely built village and dubbed "a city,
J., wooden buildings tempt fire, and fire en-
ines are useless for want of water. Strang-
rs come here, hire team to look at the sur
aMling country, and at nightfall return dis
.>trd and say they can't see the country for
lie trees. In this ride they come to little
cnings, with log house amid numerous
amps, and You know it takes poet or a
...osopher to see beauty in stumps and
ach log fences. To use a western phrase,
i can', see it," People who come here and
.re compelled to remain, are introduced to
Tia. loving twain-"Fever N Ager." Though
Icy nav have been in the West years, and
4po>e themselves acclin.ated, let them come
81 Lansing and they have to shake. And l
7 m sorry to observe that severe fit of shak-
! g is apt to bring on an awful fit of profani-
e Lansing has been fearfully cursed by
4 '.aken visitors. But let the country become
Ice settled about here, and Lansing will be
4 desirable location.
4 Here is one wing Of to-be-splendid Fe-
..4r College, but now it is surrounded by
tlmpS. Cyinolne don't flourish well among
%.Mps. Two or three miles out is the State
agricultural College-only a wing" as yet
AMONG 200 acres of stumps and 400 acres
u woods. The students have to labor three
-,-rs per day, and learn that many of them
ave holy horror Of clearing burnt pieces,
md building Jog fences. Can you blame
zen Nearer the "city" is the State Re-
o'm School for boys, and that, too, is among
Jumps; and some of the city boys who have
zen sent here for stealing, or vagrancy, con.
--at that the way Of transgressors is hard
/ .Fecia.Iy when these transgressors have tc
1oor among Lansing stumps.
4 Blessings on the head of the man who first
.1~ce.ved the idea of a Reform School, =
4 4-v>s Institutions strike at the root Of tht
WI while the old way of putting young
# -'-'.Aa.> n a jail among hardened wretches
sending them to states prison to work
--;a term of imprisonment, out of the reacl
good Influences, was sort of barbarism
'sFe ,ne boys are allowed so many hours {
4! iof play, must be in the school-room 81
"'-I hours, must work stated time, ant
a "a' early to bed. Everything about her
III -" Ike clock work, and everything has it
.4ce' and every boy soon finds his. Th
-.aath IS pleasantly spent, in singing, read
~ religious exercises, etc, and everythin
saeertal. Should boy behave viciousl!
'' AA1s that the velvet glove conceals a
hand. BY good behavior he may plac
- name on the Roll of Honor, and whe
p formed" is discharged. Sometimes bo
81" reform, then he is kept till he is twel
zone Years Of age. Sometimes a boy
fH'n"d out by the governor.
4 LET a stranger 90 through the institution
-" 'le boys at their play, at their work,
g Schoo-room, or on the Sabbath let hi
F' them In the chapel, and then let him r
@em1er that all these quiet, orderly, INTEL
4 ''a. boxing boys, save two, were sent he
4 q: ,Ae commission Of crimes, or vagrancy.l
IN observe all this, and even if e, misa
rope, he can not but thank God and tai
.'arage.
4 Western boys are Leset by fearful perils.-
No sooner does one come into the world th
."@ devlI is after him with whiskey or lag
l eer' Does he grow up in the country?
l ''f beer and whiskey are abundant a
"eap. Does he live in village9 at almt
very other door he can obtain them, a
.'mpanions to help him drink, and old top,
NJ HIM on. He sees everybody drink
'ses great many drunkards-he sees t
SOLID men" take their "tod" and can't
nave his' Then the devil puts a pipe o.