The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-09-16
FRIDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER Is. 1854
Plan for Future Operations.

Plan for Future Operations,
The Democrat of Saturday last contained
communication signed Many Citizens. pro-
posing plan Of future operations to be pur-
sued by the people Of Minnesota, in regard to
the all-absOrbing question of Railroad. The
following sentence occurs as suggestive of the
plan:
We would now suggest that the people of
tie Territory assemble in convention and an
point committee OF three fellow citizens in
ahom they can coniide, and whose duty it shall
Lee TO prepare bill securing a grant of land to
The Territory, which bill should be submitted
I" an adjourned meeting of the Convention.
and when properly endorsed by Them. and
lacked by memorial, prepared by, and thus
rnenating from the people. should be sent to
Washington in December
his or something similar has been suggest
ell by many practical and deeply interested
inea among the citizens of st. Paul who, with
Us. regard the speedy construction of a Rail-
road, as paramount in Importance at this time,
instead of spending precious moments in cavl-
ing with a band of reckless adventures, whose
end and aim is clearly to destroy instead Of to
create. limo better plan for future action can
he devised-and we have heard none suggest
ed as yet that strikes us as more plausible
we certainly hope this one will be carried
out
Following up The suggestions of the CON-
muHication, the editor of the Democrat in his
Issue of Wednesday evening expresses the fol-
lowing views in regard to this matter We
copy his article entire. His IDEAS are clearly
and calmly expressed, and for this reason, if no
other, are worthy of general attention, even
from those who may not agree with the opin-
ions advanced
Since The publication of the Saturday num-
her Of this paper. we have convcrsed with a
number of the active and entcrprising business
men Of St POul, all of whom express decided
and warm appreciation of a general movement
on the part o: the people, having for its object
the renewal of the grant of land for the con-
struction Of a Rail Road, SO hastily and unjust
iy withdrawn at the close of the late session of
Congress.
1t is extreme folly TO waste our time in USE
less controversies about the past Whilst de-
signing and short sighted men are guarreling
about the cause of the injury We have received
that injury may become irreparable. st. Paul
Is more deeply interested in this matter by ma
ny degrees OF interest. if interest indeed can be
estimated. than any other place. Then let st.
Paul take the lead in a calm. sensible and en-
ergetic effort to adopt some practical plan
whereby all the influence of the people of Min
nesota without distinction of party may be
brought TO bear in behalf of measure SO es-
sential to their prosperity. We will of course
gladly acquicsce in the views ofthosc who have
more experience in public affairs than we have
ourselves. With view however merely to d.
rect attention to the subject, we suggest that
number of our citizens write and have publish
ed, a call for public meeting to be held at the
Court House or the Capitol. for the purpose of
making arrangements for the assembling of a
Territorial convention, in which all sections o.
the Territory shall have chance of reprcsen-
tatiol in numbers corresponding with their
representation in the Legislative Assembly
the duty of which convention shall be 10 pre-
pare a bill making the necessary grant in the
proper form. TO bc presented to Congress early
at its next session. 1t will be unwisc to let this
Congress pass without again urging the meas
ure upon their consideration. We know that
Z majority Of the members of both branches are
favorable TO the project. The Senate passed
upon il twice last session with almost entire
unanimity and although many friendly men,
beers were absent the House agreed upon the
last bill by decided majority. All who voted
for the measure VIII he glad of an opportunity
to alleviate the effects of their inconsideratc
action in repeating the grant.
The fact that the entire people of a Territory
acting in thrir popular capacity. voluntary and
manifestly without any other object than the
promotion of the public good. ask of the Ma
tional Government the adoption ola measure
for the development of the resources of this
magnificent and wealthy region. and measure
too which will put money into the Treasury in
stead Of drawing money from it. will certainly
have a great weight with those to whom the
appl:cation is made We do most sincerely be-
liere that if the people will unite cordially,
disintcrcstedly. intelligcntly and with an eye
al, lre1,p Of |,
great enterprise they will triumph-Minnesota
will triumph-the Northwest will triumph
and the whole nation will rejoice.
Our opinion upon this subject is not based
upon mere suppositiOn. but from actual knowl-
edge of many of the members OF the House and
a careful observation of all action in regard to
ste first bili during some months of last win
Ger. and we can positively assert that opposition
&c tie Interests OF Minnesota did not prevent
chas bill fam ,,assng, !,ut the amendment OF
Mr.. Kerr introduced TO distract the minds OF
members and bring w Issues repugnant to the
Democratic PARTY accomplished It's defeat IN
Comniitee Of s.e EICic By oie majority. lad
che ;ri sIeod spea its HesitS alone. 1t would
have passed st that time by handsome ma
soritY.
Yor TAKE Away Nj iIsEarY.-A ptohibito-
II lioucr Law il il said. lie violation OF perso-
nal ,ib.sty What right. it is asked, has any
man or AIRY body OF men, or eEen the stare 10
say what 4 shaii sell, sns what shall not buy
The question is answered by determining
precisely wha, is meant by personal liberty. -
Does per sonal liberty consist il doing, without
srolestetion anything man may choose TO do
This is not liberty, it is iawlessness. Liberty
Is reye, ts do what We please, while We DO nc
axru to Others. or nothing inconsistent with
the public good Do We complain OF this. NO
aps get observe bow this limits. restraints and
shsei.es cur freedom of action. We cannot in
49, ram u..,Sar rot strike his children. MOI