The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-06-17
FRIDAY MORNING, JUNE l6, 1854.
An Inconsistent Ssribbler,

An Inconsistent Ssribbler.
THE FOURTH ADVENT OF EzEI.."-Since 1850,
the st. Louis Republican has had an annual
correspondent in Minnesota who writes under
the signature of Eel" The cold stagcrs''
Of the period back to which VIC advert will rec
ollcct him. ae was wont to find great many
things in Minnesota and particularly in ST. Paul,
to pra'r, and little to condemn. We have new
CT been able to find out who the gentleman is
in propria persona, although with the rest of
hopeful citizens we have often advcrtod to his
some sense - one who cast his eye into the
great future. and could see with certainty the
high destiny that awaited us.
We are sorry to change our opinion of.Ezcl''
yet. per force. we must do so, after reading his
account of Minnesota affairs, as they appeared
to him May 9th of this year of Grace. lie now
appears as a sOurcd Spectator who has let his
chances slip, as he thinks, of doing the very
thing which be finds so much fault with others
for doing. We find his philippe in late num-
Der Of the Republican. Letting out in his us
nal enthusiastic style, he says Of the newly set
tied lands:
THAT other part called the Military Reserve
of Fort Smelling is equally settled from end to
end and side to side with elegant and cXpcn-
sivc improvements, and tar too much laid out
aud expended upon the doubtful uncertainty
of whether the occupant will be able to COM
pete with the Land Shark spcculator. when the
same shall he offered for sale at public auction
TO the highest bidder !; for. while the farmer has
expended his means in improving and bcauti-
flying. for himself, wife, and dear little ones,
Il home in the West. at great toll, fatigue. and
tailoring under great disadvantages. the latter
has laid low and kept dark. with his money
at interest. watching his opportunity to leap
upon the chance. and bid high against the la
porous and worthy pioneer, and take from him
his hard earnings for Il song, and thereby di>si
pate and drive to destruction the man, and oh
literate all hope and prospect Of the original
squattcr and claimant"
This is of the bona file settlers upon the
Military Reserve. All right. We all can
join "Ezle in his laulablc hopes that these men
will he protected in holding their claims when
the sale comes OIL. But read further, and see
the Inconsistency Of the nnny, when he char
acterizcs the same class OF settlers upon other
potions orthc lands not yet in market rs Grim
inals and outlaws. After abusing the whole
body of clergy of the Territory, in Il regular
fish market vein, he speaks as follows of tho. c
who have claims upon land not on the "Mili-
tary Reserve"
AT least 2,OO0 cords OF wood are cut upon
the Sioux lands lately treated for, every week
and sold to the steamboats, that ply the waters
between Galcna and st. Paul ut from 81 IS to
S. 90 per cord and this is said to be lawful
because it has been the custom-without right.
title or shadow of claim, trcspass and make
their thousands before the land is offered in
market-bcforc it is surveyed and sold-that
when he who has the means to purchase finds it
stripped Of its riches and some iilching rascal
and trcspasscr made rich by continued wrongs,
and that sanctioned and applaudcd by the &C
clcsiastical crowd who should be praying the
Lord to forgive them their trcspasscs as they
forgive those that trcspass against them, and
render unto Caesar the things that belong to
Caesar. Fine houses and farms lie along the
river on the Wisconsin side many of which
have been acquired by trcspassers on the old
Sioux timber lands sin the winter time, by cut
ting down and slid on the frost across the
river on the ice and there pilng up their thou
sands of cords of wood ready for sale against
the opening of the river in the spring and it is
maintained by these hircling. hvpocrit!cal. a
bominalle clcrgymcn to be right and lawful
because of the custom, and is winkcd ut. Take
care vain talking man, remember that. Right
wrongs no man, while two wrongs will never
make one right.
Most holy and upright /" Ezcl!'' wilt thou
condescend to tell us the difference between the
honesty and worth of those who build houses
upon unsurvcycd lands of the Reserve, and
those who open up and improve wild lands of
the Reserve? Why are the walls of your SYM
pathetic tears poured out for fear the Reserve
suuatters will be cheated out of their claims
while you would have the claimants of other
lands along the river sent TO the Pcntcntiary.
and to a worse place, for doing the same thing
getting money to improve their farms by sell
ing wood to steamboats,. Oh Eel, Eel we re
afraid you have claim on the Reserve your
self, Of dubious validity.
The other portions of your letter are too alb
surd TO require notice.