Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-05-23
THE QUEEN OF THE WEST-AND WHY.

THE QUEEN OF THE wEsT-AND WHY.
The St. Louis Inteligencer, in a recent article
in reply to the Boston Advertiser which had given
the above name to the State of Ohio, remarked
that Ohio might be the Queen of the West now,
but that she would not be very long, for Illinois
would outstrip her and become at no very distant
day the most populous, wealthy and powerful
State in North America. The editor then adds
s'Mssour, though much slower in her growth on
account OF the 'peculiar iasiitutioii,' is incom-
parably superior to Ohio in resources and the sure
prospect of ultimate greatness"
This frank acknowledgement on the part OF Il
leading paper of Slave State, affords theme
for reflection. Need VIC ask why it is that Mis-
souri, is thus left behind in the onward march OF
our Western States Has she not greater facili-
ties for reaching and drawing into her lap the
trade of the surrounding country as either Illinois
or Ohio? Is she not older by far than Illinois,
having, at the time of her admission into the
Union a more solid foundation to work upon p
Are her resources inferior to Ohio? Then why
is it, let us ask, that Missouri, possessing original
" all the advantages we have enumerated, why is
it that she should not keep pace with her sister
States in the path to prosperity and greatness p
The truth falls with stunning blow--it is in
consequence of her ''peculiar institution-in con-
sequence of Slare,y. We do not seek to taunt
Missouri or any other of our Southern States, be-
cause they arc cursed with this cvil-it is enough
to know that it is upon them-that they know it
and feel it-but we seek to demonstrate the fact,
as glarng as the MONDAY sun, that wherever
Slavery touches its bony fingers there mildew
follows, and that if Missouri had abolished Slave
ry twenty years ago, she would to-day be lar IN
advance of any Western State i'll the Union!
Who are the immigrants who are pcopnS and
building up Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and
| Minnesota? Are they from the Slave States -
Not by any means. From whence come they then?
From the hardy soil Of New England, Pcnnsylva-
mia and New York, AMI rather than place their
feet upon slave soil, they would forego many Of
the pleasures, aye, the comforts of life. This is
owing, in great degree to their education, and
hence it will be found that ninc-tcnths of those
who leave their native States to settle in new,
prefer and do populate those States where Slavery
does not exist, to those where negro labor is
brought into competition with their own. Is it
to be wondered at then that Illinois and Ohio are
leaving Missouri behind them? Is it to be Won
dcred at that the very people who are governed
by this odious system of servitude, hate it from
their innermost souls? Is it to be wondered at
that the South arc so sensitive on this delicate
suljecs-conscious as they that every year of
its existence but adds to their moral, social and
political degradation? asH
sSir,'' said gentleman to us while in St.
Louis, short time since, 6 Slavery is doing more
| towards retard'ng our progress a, a State than
any one thing, but what can we do? tits on us
with grasp as tight as the jaws of death, and
Just so long as negroes can be hired to work our
Hemp fields for $3.50 a year and board, in prefer
encc to paying two dollars per day, just so long
we must submit to this in furious system. We are
conscious that it is curse 10 us--we see it, know
it but do the north SUPPOSE that they can hasten
the abolition of Slavery by their TRADE upon lis
Sir, tell you that Missouri will be Free State
in less than ten years, but not in consequences of
| the interference of the North Look around you,
do YOU see many slaves in our city? What has
caused this decrease will tell you, sir, because
we are beginning to inl as business men, that
free labor at two dollars per day, is cheaper in the
end than slave labor at fifty cents, and this is what
will eventually eradicate Slavery from midst.
Let us alone, and Slavery will work out its own
destruction; but attempt to drive Us, and you but
fastcn the bonds still st-on@er.''
There was good, common sense in that gentle
mans reasoning, and we were more fully impress
cd than ever with his assertion that Missouri in
lass than ten years would he Free Statc-and
moreover that the continual agitation of the north
only tends to stir up the bump Of combativeness
| on the part of our Southern friends, preventing
that which, if properly conducted would result in
much good to the nation.
From this see the reason why Missouri is not
ahead of some of tho other Western States. To
this Slavery can be traced the Obstacles in the
way Of her progress, but from the signs Of the
| times led to believe that II brighter day is
| dawnng, and that Missouri, having shaken off the
shackles that bind her, will spread her sails, and
enter vigorously into the chase, relying upon her
own resources and free labor to place her foremost
in the rank of the States of the confcdcracv.
Ii, then, Slavery has been the means of retard-
ing the growth of Missouri, Freedom has been
the means of advancing the greatness and glory
of Ohio and Illinois, and will be the means of
adding untold millions to the wealth of our com-
try. The title then given to Ohio, and that pre-
dictcd for Illinois is well earned, and although
some northern doughface may seek to pervert
justice on the plea of leaving the subject of Slave
ry to the people, still he will find when too late,
that such doctrines are repudiated ly the South,
and that the voice of the North will cOnsign him
and his hopes to an early grave. Let it be under
stood that Freedom has been the means of giving
to one of the States of the Union, that beautiful
and appropriate title of 6 The Queen of the
West," while Slavery has been the means of re-
tarding the progress Of smother State equally as
deserving of the name. rg 9y-s
UNEQU ,LLED.-Wc learn from gentleman who
| is well informed and whom We deem reliable au-
thority, that upwards of fifty houses have been
erected in this city since the opening of spring.
lie is of the opinion, gathered from the number
of contracts now in hand, that during the months
of June, July and August, there win average in
this city one new building per day. To the SUI
perfcal observer this statement may appear RI