The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-09-01
The late James NJ. GoodhUe.


One year has rolled away STAGE the original pro-
pretor Of the Pioneer ceased TO exist. James NJ.
Goodhuc died on the 9th August 1852. Out Of re-
spcct to his memory, his name has been Continued at
the head Of this Journal, although several month,
have elapsed since purchase of the establishment
In this ISSUE the name Of the present editor and
publisher is reluctantly substituted for that OF the
lanented Coodhuc, and in noticing the change, we
may not appropriately, refer in brief manner TO
some Of the benefits conferred upon Minnesota by the
latter during his short editorial career among
Our Territory was called into existence the lth
day Of March, 1919. On the 18th Of April following,
Col. Goodhue arrived with his press at ST. Paul. and
forthwith prepared for the issue of the Pioneer the
first number Of which published ten days after
wards. Ii the first sheet actually printed ia
Minnesota or within three hundred miles Of it. The
title OF the paper therefore emineniIy proper
one, although numbers of the ''Regiser,'' pur
porting to be Minnesota Journal, ba, which had
been printed in Cincinnati had previously been cir
culated in our midst.
The editor brought with him a correct appreciation
Of the character Of the population among whom he
had determined to cast his lot. Sparse indeed that
population was, and scattered largo surface,
but he found large proportional admxtare Of strong
minded, intelligent hard listed men, 10 whose labors
and unity Of action may principally be ascribed the
success which attended the organization Of political
society in this distant land. Col. G. was Just the
wanted for the times. His residence in Wis
& +. l
into daily and immediate contact with the people.
prepared him for meeting the duties aud respons b-
tiles Of the same vocation here, with honor to HIM
self, and with great advantage to the Territory
There were wrong Impressions abroad relative to the
adaptation Of soil and climate purposes Of az
ricutral settlement. 1t alleged, and the report
indusiriously circulated BY eViminded or preuiiced
individuals, that Minnesota was in too high latitude
to permit OF cereal grains being produced, and tina, it
in reality fit only to furnish pine lumber to build
up towns and cities in the valley below. Ii was char
acterized by member of the House Of Representa-
tives from Ohio (Mr. Root) hyperborean region,
to which nobody would resort if any other spot could
be found for residence, an assertion which drew
down upon that honorable individual, a prompt and
indignant rcbuke from our delegate to Congress.
Torec,ify such errors and misapprehcnsions, and
TO place the real advantages of Minnesota before the
couutry, the objects to which Col Gocdhue as
sduousy devoted himself and III accomplishing which
he particularly successful. His paper found its
way into most of the States of the Union, and so
marked was the ability with which it was conducted
that its editorial articles copied far and wide in
the journals Of the day, and tended more than any
thing else to correct the false Impressions which had
been spread abroad concerning our favored region
During the negotiation and subsequent tendency Of
the Sioux treaties before the Senate the defeat OF
which would have been fraught with ruin to the
Territory, Col. G. was occupied with his pen
10 placing before the country the incaculable import
ance Of those to the prosperity Of the north
west
Col. Goodhue was man OF warm temperament,
which occasionally betrayed him into an undue sever
ity Of comment upon those who differed with him in
opinion upon political questions, and upon asprants
for Office who he deemed unworthy of public conf
dcnce. Many Of his editorials would have done no
discrelit to the New York Herald in its most palmy
days They are replste with satric hunor. Indeed
his powers Of were limited only by his sense
Of propriety, AMI all testify TO the effective
mode in which they were exercised. In comparison
with the ordinary controversial articles of the
try press, his style of writing fine gold to
lead The keenness and briIliancy with which he
used his pen remind us Of Fitz James flashing
weapon in his combat with Rhoderic Dhu.
''For trained abroad his arms to WELD
Fitz James blade was sword and shield"
James VI. Goodhuc and fast friend Of
Minnesota to the day Of his death. He will be num-
bered with the small band Of sturdy men who labored
constantly and with iron resolution to establish the
pillars of society in Territory upon sound
basis. His press always found on the side Of
law, order, temperance and virtue. We have paid
this passing tribute to his memory, for have good
lear that as an editor we snc'er shall look
upon his like again" Minnesota may we'll lament
his death, and inscrbo his name on the roll of her
benellctors.