The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-11-13

giles at st. Louis, we're certain to be construct
ed They would make St. Louis such a cross
roads as the world never saw. With these
roads would be connected hundreds and thou
sands Of other lines like the tributaries feeding
the great river.
1t was instructive to contemplate the extent
of the improvements which the white race are
distined to make in mechanics. whilst the other
races of men for thousands of years had occu-
pied but Che same position with respect to me-
chanical pursuits. BY the multiplication oil
powers the population of single island, con-
tang but a handful of people comparatively,
outweigh four hundred mill ons of people in
Asia. We increased in this respect more than
any other nation. Our free institute ns per-
m.tted men to turn their talents to such uses as
their nclinations led them. Evidence of this
existed in the Great Exhibition in London one
of the proudcst ever witnessed. On that great
occasion, Literature, science. wealth, nobility
came to do homage to the power of inventive
genius. And what American heart but beat
proudly to know that America stood first in
the ranks of util;taria2 achievements!
We were also people rapidly increasing in
numbers. Every twenty-five years our popu-
latoa doubled. In 1900 we would number a
hundred millions of souls, and our mechanical
power would have then increased so that a
single man would count more than fifty of a
century back. AT the time of the reign oil
Charles l. and Charles II. of England, post
coaches were invented, guaranteed TO run fifty
miles per day in summer. and thirty in winter
In consequence of their travelling with that ra-
pidity. they were denominated flying coaches
What changes have tramp red since then!
Now men daily formed acqua.ntances at the
hotels. on the IOats. in the cars, who lived
thousands Of miles distant from each other
Indeed, such was the present fac .lties of COM
mum cation that st. Lou S was now twice. yes.
three t.mts near,r New Orlt ans than New Or
leans was to the mouth OF the Mississippi. be-
fore steam was applied to propel boats. Then
three weeks was the average time consumed in
passing from the Bal;ze to New Orleans. Now,
one week was the average time from New Or
leans to st. Louis.
We were engaged in a mi ghty work vast
was the field before US, and the harmony with
which were progressing together, showed that
matters of great and vital int rest to us all
were superceding all minor objects.
Col. Benton concluded his remarks ly briefly
abiding to the successful accomplishment of
the objects for VIII ch the Convent on had as
sembled. and took his seat and great cheering.
Mr.. W. G. LIE Due rose to offer tribute of res
pect to the memory of Jas. NJ. Goodhue, one of
the Vice Presidents, deceased since the last
Convention and offered the following rcsolu-
ton, which was unanimously adopted:
Resolucd, That this Convention. in the death
of Jas. ". Goodhue, editor of the Minnesota
Pioneer. and Vice President OF the Rapids
Convention which assembled at Burlington in
1851. mourn the loss of one of the ablest and
most devoted friends and advocates of all
Western interests, and sympath;ze with his
friends in their great bercavt ment.
In supporting this resolution, Mr. lie Due
spoke in terms Of warm eulogy of Col. Good
hue. as one of the pioneers OF Minnesota. and
an unwearied and able advocate OF the interests
Of that Territory. Four years ago. he sad.
Col. Goodhue had come to st. Paul. Through
every encouragement and against every obsta-
Gle of an unsettled region he had lahored. set
ting up his printing press in a carpenters shop.
and erecting more through the columns of his
paper, the Minnesota Pioneer, to spread a
knowledge of the character and resources OF
country. than had been done by any other per
son. Paying this high and m,r ted tribute to
the energy and talents Of Col. Goodhuc. Mr.. L.
spoke at some length of the growth Of st. Paul
TO which be had contributed so much. 1t was
now town of $500 inhabitants and to illus
trate the business of the place. a single firm
now id a yearly business of $500 900 Mr.. /.
thought that the p,ople of st. Louis scarcely
real zed the Importance of the trade of that re
gion. The people there looked to this city a.
their natural mart for their products and theil
commerce. But unless its merchants wer,
awake to the Importance Of retaining it. by ia
c;l:tating the natural river communication
| there was danger it would be diverted east
ward and lost to them.
He gave an interesting sketch of the more
important points above st. Paul. one of VIII cl
was Il Ir,t III settlemcn of about ten thousand
souls producing much WHIT at and other articles
OF Importance. He had found too little knOwl
edge OF those reg ,ons. both at St. Louis ant
New Orleans /: and had been a>tonshed to fine
! Span:ards in Cuba better acqua, ntcd with then
/ than his own countrymcn. one Of whnm, il
New Orleans had never heard of st. Paul. ant
believed Minnesota Teri tory somewhere on
near the Mormon country He referred t.
the projected roads to connect Minnesota will
Fond du Lac and other points on Lake Super
or, and to the value OF the copper and othcl
mines on the shores of the Lake. whose pro
ducts, through wise energy. might lie Trough
to swell the trade of ST. Louis.
To increase the prosper. ty and swell the in
tcrests OF this rich and growing region. hat
been the chosen object of Col. Goodhues latcl
years. and in him the West had lost a Il alou
and most valuable worker.
Mr.. lie Dues remarks were full of intCrcs
and information, and were heard with great at
! t9nt:on.
The following resolutions were submitted t.
the Convention
l. The resolutions of the Convention held a
burlington. Iowa. on the I'D and lith of Ucto
Der. A. d. 1851, ported ly the committee Of
Rcsolut ons, are re affirmed and aGOpttd as tn,
sense of tbs Convent on. That the arpropr a
ton made Ivy Congress to improve the Rap dis
| ii properly and prucently expended. will un
doubtcdly do much towards +, moving tht oil,
struct ons in the Rapids; and we call upo,
Congress to continue appropr:at ons from yea
to year antil this important work is finally com
pletcd.
?. That it is important that the work be com
menced at as carly day as possible, and prose
cuted vigorously until a channel is openet
that will permit the passage Of Loats at all sta
ges OF the water. With reasonable safety.
! 3. That it is all important to the commerce
and prosperity of the people residing Above tn,
Rap DIS that all expenditures ly the Gen, ra
Government should be made in improving ant
opening the natural channel of the river; and
in the opinion of this Convent. on, no othtl
mode of ImDrOyCm pnt will NEE ( the wants n,