The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-12-23
For the Minnesotian.
The Board Of Trade of St. Paul.

the officers and Directors of the Board OF
Trade
President-W. R. MARSHALL.
pice President-T FOSTER.
Secretary-S. W. WALKER.
Iredsurer-A. H. CATHCARr.
Directors-David Day, A. L. Larpenteur.
Alex. Rey. a. T. Chamblin, S. W. Walker, C. T.
Whitney, W. E. Hunt, Jos. NJ. Marshall, Geo.
W. Turnbull, Isaac Markley and A S. Elfelt.
The fret meeting Ct the Board of Directors
will take place on Tuesday evening the 10th
inst.
enclose you the address prepared by a
committee of the Board for publication.
S. W. WALKER, Sec.
Address.
As places spring from obscurity, and assume
positions of importance in the commercial
world, the wants and necessities Of such, at
first limited and few, become wide and far
reaching.
st. Paul, which but short time ago, was
meagre collection of log buildings, has advanc-
ed rapidly from that obscure beginning, and is
now regarded as place Of rapidly rising i'm
| poitoHCS tulOuSUOuI our tutlTc
Probably no place within the limits of the
United States, five except the almost magical
growth OF the towns and cities of California,
has advanced as rapply as it has done in all
that constituted the elements of a truly pros
porous place. Its position at the head of prac-
tical steamboat navigation Of one amongst the
noblest rivers of the globe, has been, no doubt,
one of the chief causes of its uncXampled pros
perity. But in addition to this, it is the capi-
tai, and at the same time, the metropolis of a
large Territory whose prospects for the future
are in the highest degree bright and fiattering
"a Territory possessing soil not surpassed
for richness and fertility by any portion ofour
widely extended country-wth climate
bright, healthful and invigoratiDg in the high
est degree, stimulating the energies of man in
the varied pursuits of life,-togcther with a
country aboundng with bright streams Of the
purest waters: and innumerabe lakes of the
rarest beauty, lying nestled in the bosoms of
its gentle undulations.
A Territory possessing these natural advan-
tages, of far greater Importance to it than
would he the richest mines of Mexico or Peru,
must in the natural and irresistible course of
events, become very soon, the home ola dense,
industrious and entcrprising population. St.
Paul, from is position, is naturally, and from
its rapid advance. unavoidably the business
centre of this Territory, and as such has du-
ty to perform. It's cItiZens are called upon TO
employ their energies in doing whatever may
contribute to the prosperity of itself,and there
by indirectly promote the welfare of the Terri
tory.
AS step in the performance of this duty,
the business men of ST. Paul have recently met
together and organized sBoard of Trade .
a measure impcriously called for by the de-
mands of its constantly increasing business
The sphere of the duties of such an organiza-
tion is indicated by the title. Its operations
will legitimatcly extend to the consideration
of everything which may affect the business in
tcrcsts Of the community. and the performance
of whatever will tend to the increase and ex-
tension Of the trade, and the just regulation of
its business affairs. Trade constitutes the
great business Of life with the most of men,
The numerous wants of civilized community
render it necessity and it is therefore init
mately connected with the happiness Of man.
kind. Such being the case, its proper rcgula-
tion becomes permanent duty with every
community.
In the operations Of trade, difficulties arc con-
stantly arising between parties, which from the
different habits of thinking among men, and
from the struggle of the passions, are difficult
of adjustment. 1t will be one of the legitimate
duties of the Board of Trade to settle such diff
ferenccs when referred to it. Another import
ant duty will be at some future timc-the ne
ccssity for it at present, hardly exists-to fix
uniform market prices, at different times, to
the principal and most important articles of
commerce, in order to establish as much uni
formity as possible in business operations
A further duty will devolve upon it, in the
prevention offraudulent practices among bust
ness men. as well as to give some attention to
the business character of the merchants of st.
Paul. in order that the worthy may not suffer
from the acts of the unprincipled and design
ing. Money being the great medium for the
exchange or values, WILL as uIattcr or course,
claim large share of attention. 1t is rather a
misfortune for the people of this country that
we have not some more secure system of bank
ing amongst us than those already existing.
Every days experience sadly demonstrates
that these systems, through the dishonesty OF
men, are liable to the worst abuses, and repeat
cd losses are entailed upon the community,
which too frequently fall upon those who are
the least able to bear them. The well-inform-
ed and shrewd business man can, in many cases,
avoid the falling ruins, whereas many classes
of the community, destitute of proper informa-
ton find too often that the rewards of their
toll and their means of sustenance lies in the
promises to pay of some skilful and unprinci-
pied financial juggler, or Of some rotten, broken
down banking institution. The severe and bit
ter lessons of the past does not seem to teach
wisdom in the future and as we despair of