The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-08-02
Speeches at the Capitol, OH the Occa:
sion OF the visit OF the ROCK ASlahu
Railroad Excursion.
From the D,m0crat Of last ec'


reception of our railroad guests at the Capitol on
the evening of the 9Th June. The speeches deliv-
cred on the occasion were some of the finest spcci-
mems of forensic eloquence VIII CHI it has ever been
our lot to hear. and they have already been
highly praised by the correspondents of the lead
ing Eastern journals, who were present, that we
feel gratified at having an opportunity of PIE cnt-
ing those of Ex President Fillmore and Gov Cor
man to our readers entire, having been favored by
them with copy. We regret lat we are denied
the pleasure Of giving the speech of Mr.. Bancroft
which has been so highly eulogised by all who
had the good fortune to hear it, but we will take
this occasion to Introduce an Interesting letter from
him to Gov German written in this connection.
The guests having assembled in the Council
Chamber, Governor German addressed them
through Mr.. Fillmore, as follows:
Mr. FILIMoRE-The agreeable duty has been
assigned me of meeting YOU upon this interesting
occasion. and bidding you welcome TO Minnesota,
and rendering YOU and your companions III this
excursion, the hospitalities of our new and pros
porous city; and allow me to assure you sir, that
we now with one heart and in the name OF the
whole people of the Territory bid you most cor
dial welcome and but for your arrival one day
before We had expected you, we would have been
comfort to have facilitated your trip to, and around
the picturesque Falls of st. Anthony.
We had hoped that your time would have al
lowed you to see NOR, of our prairlcs, lakes riv-
crs, and fertile soil. We feel that Territory
has been highly honored by this visit and we hoI
that YOU have seen enough of each, to contribute
somewhat to your qualification and our future
prosperity
| cannot LET this occasion pass without assuring
you the high appreciation the people of Mime
sofa have, not only of your personal worth, but of
the disting uishCd services YOU have rendered your
country. both in the councils Of the nation and
President of the United States. 1t was my rrivi-
lcge. (althou@h differing wi h you questions for
mcrly dividing political partics.) to cordially
operate with you and Your administration in those
great measures in the settlement of which you
bore prominent a part, and which restored har-
mony and peace to the country. 1t gives me
pleasure to bear my humble testimony to the
iirmness, prudence, judgement and patriotism of
yourself and Your administration during that
eventflll period in country's history. 1t will
as il should be, gratefully remembered by all
sound Patriots and lovers of the Union
Sir. the germ of Territorial prosperity was
planted under the auspices of your administration
and that of your immediate predecessor The public
officers you sent here to put the machinery of civil
government in motion performed that duty well,
and around YOU is to be seen the evidence of their
success.
thousand Inhabitants in Minnesota, scattered
spar- over Territory twice large as the great
State of New Iork-now they number between
twent live and thirty five thousand souls, and in
crcaSlng in population with Il rapidlv unparalleled
IN the history of our country except in the case of
California Six years ago and this thriving city
numbered ten fifteen frail tenemcns, it
contains between five and six thousand people,
with SIN or seven churches, school houses and SEM
narics OF learning, and start made for colleges
and universities handsomely endowed
Then again. in the name of the people of Min
ncsota, bid YOU most h, artv welcome.
But we are still more largely indebted for this
visit to the magnificent liheralitv of the President.
directors, agents, and stockholders OF the Rock
Island Railroad company; to them as the ESecu-
tive of this Territory. | now, in the name of the
wnoIe people OF Minnesota make uu. most hearty
and sincere acknoW Judgements. ! feel that words
are inadequate TO express our gratitude TO you,
gentlomCn for directing this excursion to the Cap
ltal of Minnesota. Its conception and execution Is
worthy the cnterpri>ing men who were the first to
connect the Atlantic with the waters of the upper
Mississippi. And we feel doublv indebted for
giving these wealthy and learned gentlemen and
ladies from the East. West, North and South an
opportunity to what we regard as the most
hopeful and inviting region in the great North
west; you have at last claimed by iron and steam.
the great Father of Waters TO the great marts of
commerce and cnpo You have indeed accom-
energy. capital and enterprise, the bonds of this
great Union. =
But this is not all we congratulate ourselves
upon. Many Of the and women who have
adorned the literature Of America, are here. The
clergy and the learned professions are here. The
men o. science and art are here. Many dIstin-
sushcd writers, statesmen. historians and polIti-
clans are here. Some Of the most distinguished
representatives of the press are here. And last,
though by no means least the ladies, your wives
and daughters are here, without whose approving
smiles no great end has ever been accomplished.
Then in the name Of Minnesota, bid each and all
a hearty and cordial welcome.
bid the representatives of the press a hearty
welcome. To you Minnesota is already largely
indebted for much of her prosperity, and from your
pens we earnestly hope flat more may now be
known than ever was known before of our pros
pecis and resources. Where we now stand, but
six years ago might be seen the Indian wigwam,
now welcome you gentlemen of the press, to
this beautiful Capitol, built by the muniticence of
the parent Government. But feel that we shall
command your sympathies, when you reflect that
we are Ice bound and imprisoned here four
months in the year. This should not be, and we
did hope that the General Government would
have granted lands for railroad, and thus Civ
en- us the key to unlock our prison home, when it
would cost her so little and relieve so much
but yet it is not done. Soon, however, tie
country must be aroused to the importance of our
trade and resources. To tins end, we arc GrattIed
TO believe, the Rock Island Railroad excursion has
contributed more than we should have been able
to accomplish for ourselves in years to come.
Mr.. FILLMORE rose and said in substance,
l trust your Excelency will believe me when
| say that, this cordial greeting and heartfelt
welcome on behalf Of the citizens of st. Paul by
the Executive of the Territory of Minnesota, takes
me wholly by surprise and II adds greatly to my
embarrassment that am unexpectedly made 50
prominent where felt that have no claim for
consideration beyond that of other gentlemen
composing the large and intelligent party by