The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-04-03
ARaILRoAD TO SAINT ANTHONY.

A RA1LROAD To SAINT ANTHONI.
That the navigation of the MISSISSIPPI
pi river is destined to be connected with
the waters of Lake Superior, sooner or
later, is obvious enough. The laws Of
trade demand it. There is a world of
natural wealth around the shores of that
inland sea, which has no other natural
outlet. II is absurd to suppose that the
pine forests bordering on its shores, the
lumber, must seek a market on the At
lantic, which is not only too remote, but
is more cheaply supplied from other
quarters than il can be from the north
west. Lumber, naturally finds its mar
ket down stream. 1t seeks the aid OF
the current. Then look at the wide ex-
panse Of country, two-thirds Of it prai-
RE, extending from the lakes south to
the Ohio river, and the extent Of rich
lands on both shores Of the Mississippi,
sust aiming villages, clustering in yearly
increasing numbers at the landings, the
marts Of trade for Understanding agri-
cultural districts-consider the astonish-
ing Eruption of the muititudes from the
face of the whole earth, spreading over
the valley of the Mississippi, requiring
not only fuel, but steamboats,, houses,
and millions of miles of fences; then
look north to the giant forests bordering
upon Lake Superior, consider the mines
and fisheries Of the Lake; reflect that
the whole habitable region north of US
to Hudson's Bay, is looking towards this
point for their supplies of goods, es-
pecialiy for their supplies of tropical
productions, and that in the absence OF
easier modes Of access to our market,
the trade of the Selkirk settlement, Red
river and Pembina, is already forcing a
channel to the Mississippi, and it is OBJ
vious enough, that railroad must be
made. TO connect the two basins. Is il
too soon to commenced We belive not.
One year ago, what was California;
Nothing 1t is now, the mightiest State
upon the shore Of the Pacific; already
projecting a railroad to the Atlantic
One year ago at the commencement OF
this month, and what was Minnesota
then? A problem, mere probability,
a sudden conception, then unborn. 1t Is
now territory duly organized. Farms,
presses, pulpits, villages are here. II
has leaped, full-armed, into the arena
of states selfgoverned; (for in what re-
spect is a territory which makes laws fol
itself, less favored under the mild guar
dianship Of Congress, than state =
It is not a moment too soon, for us to
look about and see what is to be done
what destiny awaits Minnesota, and how
we can make the most Of the natural
advantages of our position at the head
of this noble river ''But we are poor.
Nonsense! If Minnesota is poor now
what was she year ago. May we moi
count safely upon $4,000 inhabitants, in
few months, and proportionate in.
crease of wealth? and especially if we
put in progress those plans Of improve
ment most calculated TO attract hithel
the industry and capital of the world'-
Northern Illinois, thought she was toe
poor TO connect Chicago and Galena
Lake Michigan and the Mississippi, by
railroad. She went to Boston with sun.
bonnet in her hand and a tear in hel
eye, to beg the loan Of capital to built
it, Finding she could get nothing BY
begging, she went to work at it hersel
and is putting it straight through. Nc
enterprise is too great to commence
and work well commenced, is half com
pleted. From Saint Paul to Saint An.
thony is not over miles. The whole
distance can be graded at $4,000 pei
mile. We can build, at least this sec
ton of "The Mississippi, Lake superior
and Hudson Bay railroad, in and o
ourselves. In this section Of the road
Saint Anthony and Saint Paul are imme
diately interested. Steamboating above
. T
Saint Anthony, viii be of little impor
lance, comparatively, until connection
can be made by railroad, between tn,
boats coming up from St. Louis, Galen'
and Dubuque, and the smaller class o
boats navigating the river above Sain
Anthony. Even if the large class o
boats which come up to Saint Paul
could go up within mile of the falls {;
thing which we boldly aver upon tn,