The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-02-19

the improvements OF the town, the erection OF
public buildings, schools. colleges, churches !;
in the election of officers, from town cOnsta-
bic to Legislators, Judges, Congressman and
Presidents. The circumstances with which We
are surrounded are calculated to enkindle this
spirit in the breasts of young men. The OPEN
ing of America presented to the world ad van
tages such as at the time existed no where else.
As country increases in age. the lines that
divide society become more distinctly drawn,
until the mass of community are left without
hope of ever attaining to positions of impor-
lance and influence But in our country q
new era has dawned. There is here a hand
extended as invitingly to the son of poverty as
of wealth; he has government as much his
as it is that of the rich, and there is in it path
leading as high before his feet as any that man
ever ascended--a path whose terminus is in as
full view of the world-and where are all the
rewards that can be gathered by man,
1t is not cant, thus to speak Of the advanta-
ges of our country were born in the midst
of these, and hence may not be fully aware Of
their existence. Still they do exist. Our faith
ers had mighty work to do, beginning in the
wilderness to build the grandest Republic the
world has ever bcheld. They came to prepare
the. way for other generations; and their public
spirit and enterprise started that wave of emf
grafton, which in our day, has broken on the
coast of the Pacific. We live just when men
are beginning to discover the benefits of this
great country! We live just at the time when
| institutions are to be planted, not simply along
a rOck-bOund shore, but when the heaving ma
| terials for great nation are being disgOrged
upon this Western Continent. What mighty
power must be called into action to do all that
must be done for this great company. All the
appliances for maintaining law, order, educa-
ton and religion, must be speedily provided!
Who has time, or a heart to live only for him.
| SELF in land like this? Truly, these Western
| npOn1p6 with nil
eers-men whom God has sent to pioneer! 1t
| behOves such forever to bid farewell to the idea
of rest, and facing the mighty life-day's work,
be contented to enjoy only progress.
Who can gaze upon the scene our country
presents and not be awed? How shall all these
elements be controlled and moulded into a safe
body? Either unthought of greatness is just
before us, or we are rushing to sudden dcstruc-
ton. Those whom | now address are riding
the very crest of the first great wave Of emigra-
ton this far in the Northwest. In the prOvi-
dence of God, this fair portion of our land has
been opened to us, and the young and the adj
venturous are rushing in here to try their for
tunes from the foundation up. With these facts
before us, l hope no apology will be necessary
for the remarks which | am now about to make,
in pleading for public spirit in the young men
of Minnesota.
When young man comes into possession Of
fortune it often produces great change in
his naDltS. he cltnef becomes cXtraNaGant ana
prOdigal of what he has inherited, or he is so
impressed with the responsibilities of managing
a large property, that he fOrsakes the folly of
his years and becomes at once a grave man of
business. The same is true, to some extent,
when young men are called to fill important
offices. If sent to the Legislature, or Congress,
they may give themselves up to run all lengths
! in dsS patton choosing the most reckless of
| their compcers as associates, they spend their
nights in dissipation and their days in idlcness.
The whole pay of the session is squandcrcd upon
their vices, and a short time proves to their
constituents their inability and nworthncss
to fill the high place assigned them. They thus
wreck themselves and their political prospects
Or, on the other hand such an elevation to office
may inspire the young man with sense of the
responsibilities resting upon him he aims to
acquire knowledge of the manner of doing
| business: studies the interests of the people he
serves: by attention to duty and by wise action,
he establishes reputation in the hearts of the
people. and lays good foundation for long
and prosperous political career. The same is
true in the learned professions. 1t is not so
much genius few favorable circumstances
well improved, that make the great man. A
young man may sink from high and proms-
ing beginning into obscurity; or, by dilgcnt
| Improvement of his talents rise from that as n
starting point.
Those who have become truly great in our
who stood by their principles and were ready
to sacrifice SELF patronage and seeming popu-
larlty to the welfare of society. Such men have
raised storms of opposition. and breasted the
waves of abuse the waters have rolled over
them, but still they stand erect. their feet plan
tea upon the rocks of a lasting fame. Emigra-
ton to country like this is calculated TO bring
out these two traits of character. Some on ar
irving here, find themselves removed beyond
the restraints of home, change from virtuous
TO vicious life, cast away all the fair promises
they ever gave. throw off the fear of God tram
pie human and Divine laws under their feet
form companionship with the most wicked and
unprnclpcd men in the community. and thus
40 all they can to transplant into this virgin
SOL, all the curses of a hoary corruption that
have been maturcd in older communities.
Others, inspired by the wide field of useful
ness and gain opened to them. determine TO act
like men, They become the friends of law. or
dcr and religion, and cultivate an interest i'm
the welfare of growing city. They become
men OF public spirit. and contribute of their
means, time and influence for the promotion of
every valuable enterprise.
Both these classes are found in this commu.
NIFTY but we are happy to believe that. not
withstandlng the vice and sin which We witness
Oh inc part OF some in our midst, there is i'm
our Territory larger proportion of truly pub
TIC spirited men. than can be found i'm the same
number OF frontier settlers any where in the
great West; men who seem determined TO do
what they can to make Minnesota the bright
north star of the Republic. A good opport,lni-
ty for the accomplishing of any great object
should always be an Indictment to the under
taxing. Such an opportunity We have for the
accomplishment of great things in this Terrific
ry. Here would turn your attention to our
geographical position. Nature has her radiatinr
points. The Sun is the center of the solar svs,
tenn and his rays fill the circle. A good harbor.
the mouth OF navigable river, the junction of
great streams and the head of navigation on
large rivers, other things being equal, are all
points fixed by Nature for large cities. and GEN.
tiers OF commercial. political and religious influ-
cncc. Spread out the map of the United States.
and you behold Minnesota midway between the
two Occans-thc great center of the North
West! Its capital, st. Paul, just at the head of
navigation OF the granlCSt riyer ON narfh at