The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-09-25
"REMINISCENCES, TERRITORIAL AND Po-
LITICAL.

hills, bright but cherries, ON the morning OF
the 9Th of May, 1919, from the deck OF
the untiring sold Doctor" Capt LODI
wick, we caught our first glimpse of the
spot where the busy, bustling commercial
mart-the Queen of the Northwest
St. Paul, now stands. Many anx-
ious and enquiring eyes, and hopeful
hearts, watched with us. There was
the man chosen by the pure and patriotic
TAYLOR 10 stand at the helm of Minnesota,
and guide her destiny through the days of
her infancy. The call of the heroic old
chieftain found him at his home at the
Capital of his native State, in the prime
of manhood; popular with his party and
the people; with young and interesting
family, and surrounded by all the COM
forts and privileges of prosperous citi-
zen in an old COMMUNICATIONS and en-
ergetic, and daily growing in the favors
and affections of his neighbors. What
great inducement was there for him TO
quit that home and come hi,her into the
unbroken wilderness? Yet come he
did. and with a determination to endure
all, and do all, that was in the power of
man to do and endure, to bring out and
develop whatever nature had implanted
in the bosom of these broad wilds.-
Bleak and uninvi,ing as shone that Sab
bath morning sun upon the bare hills and
leafless trees that, with three or four ride
structures, then stood forth TO mark ''the
capital of Minnesota" it could not chill
his ardor or depress his determination.
There were no accommodations for the
Governor and his family in St. Paul, and
he passed on with the boat TO Mendoza.
Here we all made the acquaintance Of
Mr.. Sibley, who had but recently return
cd from the accomplishment Of his first
great work at Washington-the organiza-
ton Of the Territory. The greeting of
the two was cordial and enthusiastic, al
though meeting for the first time in their
lives. A man with half the ordinary
gifts Of foresight who might be present,
could not have failed to see, that in the
hands OF such public servants the desti-
MES of Minnesota wore safe They
were not mer TO be swerved from their
path Of duty by the narrow jealouses Of
mere politicians, or the calumny and
abuse of selfish political advc nturers.
such as are ever crowding to the frontier
as crows to carrion feast.
The work of starting Minnesota was
Immediately commenced. For two or
three weeks the Governor and Mr.. Sib-
ley were together-the former receiving
and the latter impartlng the information
necessary to get the machinery in work.
ing order. 1t is not at all probable that
either of these men, the whole time, ever
suffered thought Of party politics, or
political combinations for the future, to
enter their minds. Yet they have been
accused of striking selfish political bar
gain--of forming at that time the "cor-
rupt political firm" of " Ramsey, Sibley
& Co.," of which we have heard so much.
Heaven knows they had enough else to
think Of! Look around and see what
they have since accomplished, and answer
accordingly.
Politically speaking. we came here to
pursue our avocation, fresh from the par
titan hot-bed of the States, and flushed
with the success of a recent national vic
tory. Without the charity, since instilled
Ivy maturity and experience, we were for
rearing the party banner, and fighting i,
through, regardless of consequences
but with less obtuseness than many mer
among us of more years and greater intel.
iectual capacity, we quickly learned, by
advice and observation, that such course
on the part Of the conductors Of the pres.
Of Minnesota would land her, high ane
ory, upon the rocks of party Strife ant
Prejudice. 1t was evident that cooc
men of all parties must unite in order +,
carry her safely through. The men who
had lived here longest thought SO, ant
were willing 10 act. The Governor, al
though leading man in his party a
home, was fully conscious that his trus
could never be successfully accomplishe,
unless he completely laid aside the Whit
Tor the .Minnesotian. He knew thut hi
motives would be impugned by men o
his own party, and that abuse and slande
would in all probability, be the conse
quenees. OF this result he spoke at The
time, and the sequel has shown that h,