The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-03-31
A NEW ENTERPRIsE.-We copy the following
from the st. Louis Republican

"A NEW ENTERPKiSE.-Ne copy tue IOlIOWlng
communication from the st. Louis Republican
of March 6: rFf m 4
Northern Trade.
HANNIBAL, Feb, ~, 1856.
Mr. EDITOR lin an interes ting editorial in
your paper of the oath inst, you speak of the
large Northern trade, embracing a scope of
country stretching from the Missouri river to
st. Paul. and the Importance to St. Louis of re-
tanning it, Nothing can be more true. The
district described is the finest agricultural
country in the world. If st. Louis would pro-
gress in the future asin the past, she must cease
to rely on her extraordinary natural advanta-
ges. and take step forward with the spirit of
the eye. Nature designed st. Louis as the
great enfrepot of this Northern trade, and she
has. with success. for years. enjoyed its advan-
tages. But nature, in this particular. s being
overc me by art Chicago is in the field az
rival, aud though enjoying an unenviable re-
putation. both in matters of morals and trade,
yet she is rival too dangerous to be despised.
Without any natural connection with the Mis-
sissippi, she is tapping the trade of that river
at no less than four different points abose Han
nibal, by railroads, and is carrying off the pro-
auctions, not only of the Eastern bank, but
with q greedy hand, is reaching over to the
western bank OF the Mississippi. To counterfeit
these movements and retain this trade to ST.
Louis, you are pleased to say. Mr.. Editor. two
things are necessary, which you describe with
force. Now, sir, they are very good. as far as
they go but do not cover the whole ground.
Permit nae to say there is one thing indispens-
IDLE to St. Louis, if she would retain her north
ern trade. If st. Louis really wishes to retain
this trade, her philosophical men must move
at once in building railroad from st. Charles
TO st. Paul on the bank OF the Mississippi, pas
sing through the principal towns on the river.
There is already charter for such road to
the northern line of the State. The North Mis-
souri, Railroad can not, as is supposed by some,
do away with the necessity to ST. Louis of this
road. The line of that road is some fifty or six
ty miles west of til" Mississippi, and ,citi:n the
rich and broad belt lying 6efareen the North
Missouri Road and the mississippi riper. is
the great trade Of the country you describe.
1t is this immense trade, which, during four
months in the year, is locked up and has an
outlet that Chicago is struggling to gain-and
she will get it, of necessity, unless this road is
speedily built. If successful she will soon be
| what st. Louis is, and St. Louis fall back, per-
haps, to what Chicago was. The Importance OF
this road to ST. Louis, like the trade of the
country it wOnld drain. cannot be over esti
mated. 1t may prone of more Importance to
| st. Louis, tn enabling her to retain her pre-
sent Northern trade, than the North Missouri
Road. Whatever benefits st. Louis. rebounds
to the interest of the whole State. She is just
ly the pride of the State, and should be encour-
! aged and sustained in her efforts to retain her
trade. Let us have the road. Who will move
| first in the matter? l..