The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1869-02-24
An Interesting Relic.
A LETTER uEREroroRE CSrrBLIsEED,
WRITTEN BY BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

LETTER HERETOFORE CSPCBLlSHED,
WRITTEN ny BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
The Chicago Evening Journal says 1t
Is indebted to Z. B. Nelson, Esq, Of
that city. for the privilege Of present
ing the following beautiful and charac-
teri>t,c memorial of DR.. Franklin TO
its readers:
FROM UK. FRANKLIN TO MISS F.. iCHrANp.
PHILADELPHIA. February Y, l7H
DEAR CuiLp-l condolc with you.
We have lost Il most dear and valua-
bic relation, but ii is the will Of God
and Nature that these mortal bodies
be laid aside when the soul is 10 enter
into real life. Existing here OH earth
i. scarcely to be called life. TiS rath-
er un embryo 'state--a preparation to
living. and man is not completely born
until he iS dead. Why. then, should
we grievc that 4 new child is born
among the immor;alS-n new member
added 70 their society? We are spirits.
That bodies should DC lent to us while
they can afford Us pleasure, assist us
in acquiring knowledge, or i'll doing
good TO our fellow creatures. Is Kind
and benevolent act otGod. When they
become unfit for their purposes, and NJ
ford Us pain instead Of pleasure. i'll
stead ofan aid become IN incunhrancr.
and answer none OF the intentions for
which they were given. il Is equally
kind and benevolent that way is
provided by which we may get rid OF
,hrm. That Way is death. We our
selves pru,lrn,ly, in some cases. choose
\ partial death. \ mang!cu. painful
limb. which can not nc restored. We
willingly cut on. lie that p!urkS out
i tooth parts with it trrrl y. since the
pain goes with il; and he that quits
The whole body part, with all pains
and possibility Of pains and di>ra>r> II
MAS liable tu"r capable of making nm!
suffer. Our friend and We are invited
abroad on 4 party ofplcaSurr that Is to
last forever. Ills chair* WAS first really.
and he has gone before Us. We could
not conveniently all start together.
and why should you and | be grirr"d
ut this. since we are soon 10 InIl"w.
an,l We know where to find him:
Adiru. my dear, Gooi child, and he.
licrc that shall be. in every State.
your atlrcli"nat" papa.
Benz. FKANKLIH.
"\l!ni.nr :" ,",l.,n "h,,lrs. then In raSl'"mal'"
TIE city OF .t,amu>. recently dies.
tr"yrd by Il Hood. WAS the Athens OF
Mexico. Its women were rrpuird to
b. the lovcIirst and most intelligent
throughout the Republic. and is rili-
zrn< were highly spoken OF rs con-
lraStcu with those OF other ropula-
tions. There was 4 great deal ut
wealth. refinement aud luxury among
the classes. Alamo>, as 4 city, had
lame before the metropolis OF New
York was known. 1t is old among The
many old towns of Mexico. Surround
in. it have bccu soinu OF the richest
mines in the world. from which the
city had its chief support.
At the time OF it, destruction il con-
tanned Il population OF about I010
souls. The Hood was preceded by L
terrific whirlwiud and dr!u@c tha,
lasted scventy-tw0 hours. The river
was swollen to y great helStit. HOUSES
were swept away, and whole blocks OF
buildings thrown down. Houses were
unrooird and blown to Skaters; tiles
and like material were scattered
through the air like chatl. and strong
trees were uproUtcd aS ii they had
been corn-slnlka. The best part OF the
city is totally destroyed. About the
only buildings saved worthy Of men.
ton are the Mint, the church, and the
old State College. These stood on
high grounds. aud this advantage.
with their solidity, saved them. Dr..
Hill, an American resident. had three
houses carried away, and iS soscr 10
the amount Of about SlO,0UO L.
Robinson Bours, an American doing
u bankin. business, had his banking
house swept away. Sixty dead bodies
have been picked up.