Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-08-01

glorious holiday Like the spokes of gigant-
ic wheel will the iron arms of human enterprise
radiate in every direction from the navigable
head of the Mississippi, while thousand streams
of agricultural and mineral wealth will carry
their united tribute to swell the rank und inau-
ence of the gathering metropolis of the west. The
interminable vastness of the great northwest ap-
pears like shadowy nebula of remote and un-
formed stars on some clear summer night From
out this shadow magnificent States will arise
the elements are grouping which are shortly to be
resolved into majestic forms-the genius of civ
ilization and of progress is at work-the days of
doubt are passing blythe hours of realization
and oil destiny are at hand-dreams are becoming
facts-mysteries are mysteries no more. Croak-
ers and sceptics are COMPOUNDED, while the hopes
of the sanguine have been more than fulfilled
The present is greater than the past-the future
must be greater than the present, or the idea of
universal progress and improvement is farce.
If We move at all, it must be onward, and by on
ward mean Uest,cdrd! Thther
''The star Of Empire takes its way.'
Emigration, driven by constant pressure from the
cast is but little attracted to the south. 1t seeks
the invigorating climate of the north and the in
exhaustible fertility of the west. From New
York towards Oregon the great procession moves.
We can conceive Of no event or circumstance
which can materially divert its CONSERVATIVE al
ways points out the best way, though accident and
interest sometimes lead men to neglect her infal-
liblc indications. Prejudice is blind guide, and
is certain if followed to lead public opinion wild
ly astray. Certain contracted minds seem to
talk as if nothing great or glorious good could
ever emanate from the west. Conceited being
mocker of the universe and its Creator-what
know you Of the west? An atom in the sunshine
is not more insignificant than are your prattling
words, so noisy but void of sense-ungrateful to
your God-uncharitable to your race-devoted to
yourself and dead to every sentiment which ma
ture, grand, magnificent and beautiful should
inspire, how can stagnant soul like yours appre-
ciate or comprehend the west! To your blearcd
vision, its stupendous lakes seem more like mar
row pools than seas-its mightiest rivers are re-
duced to feeble streams-its stately forests are
but sickly groves-its fertile valleys but barren
wastes-its pure climate ever tainted with dis
ease, while it's bright Italian skies are disfgured
with green and jaundiced hue! Such is your
idea of the west-such is the idea of the west
concerning you. The west needs not your SYM
pathy or aid. She is abundantly able to take
care of herself. Conscious Of her destiny she
can afford to wait. She can bear ridicule and
laughter and contempt. These things must come,
but they will soon pass away and be succeeded
by wonder, admiration and esteem.
A small confagration we despise, but when the
vast prairies are on fire no man can behold the
awful splendor of the scene unmoved. When
these far spreading affairs of nature burn, and
the incense rises thick to heaven, and the clouds
are gay, and the sky refulgent with blazing fur
mace glow, the terrible grandeur of the spectacle
no language can portray-forming as it does no
unfit emblem of the future power and majesty of
the west.