Mineral Point Weekly Tribune

THE GROWTH OF WISCONSIN.

Thurlow Weed Brown, of the Chief, was present in the Assembly Chamber during the reading of the Governor's message, and writes to his paper as follows:

"More like the changing scenery of some wondrous magic, than anything real seem the results of human industry, enterprise and skill, as developed in the growth of the West. It seems like a dream. Among the noblest of these results, we note the growth and present position of our own loved State, Wisconsin. Our thoughts were busy while the two branches of the Legislature were in joint convention on this floor, and the Executive detailing the present position, resources and prospects of the State. Eight hundred thousand people were represented in this chamber, during the reading of the Message! Here were 32 Senators and 97 Representatives, and a dense throng of the people. As we looked over the sea of upturned faces, and up to the crowded galleries, we could not but feel emotions of pride. In all the elements of manhood-of physical, moral, and intellectual power-this assemblage of people, would have compared with any which ever gathered in the Capitols of the older States. The live men-the active and intelligent mind of the old States—were here largely represented. A large proportion of those in the chamber were men in the vigor of years and strength, but few grey heads appearing in the crowd.

This magnificent structure itself, steadily growing into proportions of symmetry and grandeur, almost shadows the wasting huts of the savage. The wake of the birchen canoe has scarcely faded from the surface of these lakes. The sound of these church bells follows hard upon the slow retreating echoes of the war whoop. The trails which have been for ages wearing under the measured tread of the chivalry of the forest, are yet scarcely swarded over. And thus, in less than a quarter of a century, a great State has grown up by the waning council fires of the Indian, with agricultural, mineral, and lumber interests almost inexhaustible, a population of near a million; the $75,000 worth of school-house property of nine years ago, now amounting to $863,478; having over a quarter of a million children between the ages of four and twenty; together with educational and charitable institutions, which justly challenge our pride and admiration."