The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-02-11
The Shinplas:er Var

Thepublic prints of ST. Paul this week show
clearly that We still have shinplasters among
Vs. 1t appears that our denunciations last |
summer, Of the st. Anthony and Central Amer
lean frauds-for the performance Of which pa
triotc duty the citizens o: St. Paul, in public |
meeting, through Chas. Fl. Parker, thanked the
Minnesota Democrat, which had never opened
its mouth upon the subject-have done but lit
tie good and that the eagerness of mankind to
get hold ofanything that can be palmed Off as
money, arrests entirely in our midst all at
tempts to drive hence large quantity of the
most worthless trash that ever a community was
cursed with.
Our opinion upon all shinplastnr operations
IL Of record. We have not changed it, nor do we
Intend to, let Borup & Cakes and all the most
wealthy and responsible men on earth. 90 into
the business. But so considerable a number of
our people have not the moral fortitude, or the
business independence, to stand up against the
pressing tide of shinplasterdom, that our dsap-
probation amounts scarcely to the weight of a
hair. One man resolves to take a certain spe-
eies OF shinplaster in business; his neighbor
says ne must also take it for selfprotection ::
and SO the matter runs all over the country.
And IN view OF these facts-this practical state
OF things-we would thousand times prefer
the circulation Of certificates of deposit where
men OF the means and business integrity of
borup & Cakes, doing business Immediately
here in our midst are held responsible for the: II
redemption, than to encourage the flood of
trash from abroad which other gentlemen
bankers have helped to scatter broadcast ovcr
the Territory. five are to have shinplazters
and we consider that matter dccidcd-let lis.
for heavens sake be allowed to know the men.
and their business standing, who issue them
We give place to communication from MFR.
y. h. Parker, touching this matter With the
merits OF the controversy-which we consider
purely a matter of personal business with him
we have nothing to do. Mr. p. is as much to
rs as Borup Cakes. He and they are bank
ers and money dealers-rcspectablc and honor
bic men in all their transactions, so far as we
know-but all Of them striving their hest to
make money out of the community. This is
natural and not improper, in a business sense
among men. The Borup firm will therefore ex-
cuse US If we do not admit-and they have not
asked US to-that they issue their certificates
purely Tor the public good and the other if VIC
deny that he is actuated in his war unon tber,
by an entirely disntcrcstcd zeal for the pcon,o,s
welfare. Mr.. P. defends himself we'll from the
issue made in this weeks Pioneer but scarcely
escapes the charge of having violated the Drju-
epic ne denounces others for having forfeited
1D. IiNNEsoTIAN-Dear Sir Il am undcr
great ooigation to "a subscriber, who nro.
Pouucs 10 the editor of the Pioneer cert,i,,
questions IN relation to a certificate of denosi.
igaEd oy me, and by relation of a few facts
VII, oisaDuse the public mind in relation IN
az. sn.racter OF the transaction. and show to
man OF the committee appointed nv = nmhi;.
meetihg 70 condemn the course Of act;or ~
4essrs. Richards 4 Clark, of Central Amer;con
6ahk notoriety, to the present moment bore
oeen eons'sfe {, and him. the impotence If tho
sarcastic argument which he Encied the tisnlov
copy OF said certificate would furnish. I
.m disposed to be charitable towards him a,d
70 believe that he supposcs have been cn I
s us same shinplaster attempt, which. when
sooPtea Dy others, l condemn. will first an
swe. us interrogatories. by informing bim-of
%nas ne was doubtless aware, to witEtbat .,bo
A1cye Is NOT tue unfortunate predecessor to
which referred, and which the peonle cons;oneS ~
70 well merited and timely oblivion =" and
which," DC. N''''es Win
TO the facts. A month or so after the Indie.
nation meeting referred to, gentlemen in b,3.
siness In this city came into my office and in
formed me that he had on hand lot of rs and
~ cent blank certificates Of deposit, which be
$50 Ssa obtained in New York city, and remarking
that small change was very scarce. pronosed
"a soss SHOULD sign and let him have Sl0 Of them
|" supply, in part, what he conceived to be a