The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-08-05
,. -~., From tho Dubuque Herald
Dubuque and the Northwest.

We have returned home from trip to ST., Paul and
the Upper Mississippi. and we come back confirmed
in the opinion heretofore expressed many occasions
that Dubuque can be, il she will be- the commercial
emporium OF the Northwest. In order to be this,
however, there is something To be done. What this
something is, will endeavor indicate in the few
remaik rs which follow.
1t is " fixed fact" that Minnesota Territory
will become at distant PERIOD one Of the most pop
uous sections Of the United States il is also certain
that during least half of the wear this region is
shut up from all other than artificial means of COM
munication Ii Is equally that the nearest point
at which this region become connected with the
cast and south is at Dubuque. All this We have snid
before, but IT Is not enough to say, be doing
dubuque must be doing. And pray what should be
done! We will Try to answer. One of the hrs,
things to he done is to locate good wagon road to
- Paul, with branch road, say from Fl. Atkinson
TO the south bend cf St Peters, now called Minnesota
ri'cr Al The latter Point Il town has been laid out
by an int:uon wealthy and energetic company Of
gentlemen residing at St. Paul, and arrangements
have been made ior erecting several buildings there
Immediately Two steamboats, 10 that point, now
named MankatO, twice a week from ST. Paul. and
they find enough to do, that il is also fixed
fact that iankato will be of the cities of Min
from Minnesota. WE'LL what hassall this to do with
us at Dubuque! 1t has this much Dubuque is the
nearest point on the Mississippi which the people
who Will mhabit the region around the South Bend
can be put IN connection with the and south Cu-
ring the winter months. Hence the Importance to
Dubuque and to Mankato Of having good wagon
road located, and, if necessary, graded between the
two Places There is a road at present from this
place to Ft Atkinson which be used for the pur-
pose so Tar rs IT goes in the direction Of ST. Paul and
Mankato, and We are assured by those who are able
and willing to perform what they promise that any
exertons which the people of Dubuque may make to-
wards ctfectng this inland in,ercommuncation, will
he met by more than equal efforts by the people Of St
Paul and the Mankato Company.
And now what will Dubuque gain by these roads
does any ask! Is any here so ignorant of the
advantages which the winter travel to and from Min
nesota would bring to Dubuque, 10 ask such qes-
ton. II there DC, have little hope of being able
10 enlIghten them. And it is not the winter travel
alone that we may secure by establishing winter conf
municaton with few Of the prominent points in
minnesota hat is there to prevent merchants
from having the advantages of the summer trade with
that immense region! We are nearer to it nat allv
by the rver-ncarcr TO by such artificial means as
we can command. than are those who possess it. Why
then should We not, why do not PAL ticiIate IN its
advantages! Simply because those who are most in
terested IN the matter, and those who would be most
benefited thereby have not wiiled il to be So Now
how long shall this feeling continue! This is oues
ton we would like to hear answered by a manifesto
ton OF public spirit which would indicate that every
one here was determined it should not last long
We hope that such spirit may animate the
Weds VI every man VINO mas the smallest interest
TINS place. And as proof that such spirit is be-
ginning to control the actions of men, we will mem
ton single circumstance which goes far to show
that the dO-nohng policy is about To be abandoned
even by those who have heretofore been regarded as
among the most Indifferent. Our friend, Timothy
DAVIS, Esq. has written letter to the Minnesota
Pioneer, In which he recognizes the mpol lance of a
road from Dubuque to St. Paul. and in which he pro-
misses material aid to assist in its construction.
This is significant fact, and we Herald it with
pleasure, as it is indicative of the better spirit which
we hope will animate all Dubuquers with a determin-
alton to act each one his part for the welfare Of all
We have mislaid the Pioneer containing this letter
else we would publish it in full.
We hope that other proprietors of town property
as also merchants and business men generally will
maifest the same disposition Mr.. Davis has, and
that uniting their means and influence such turn vii,
be given to the local policy OF Dubuque, as will Sc
cure to her that position which she seems destined by
nature TO occupy in relation 10 the Northwest