Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-03-20
THE RESERVE LANDS-GOOD NEWS FOR
@- go i-iDiEa SETTLERS. '-~ '.''

THE RESERVE LANDs-GOoD NEWS FOR
= 'P -'Diia SETTLERS. '-'
The mail of Friday brought the gratifying news
that the Bill granting presumption rights to ac-
rual settlers on the Military Reserve, had passed
the Senate, and would in all probability receive
the signature of the President. We hail this in
formation with heartfelt pleasure, for now the
honest, worthy pioneer will have an opportunity
to procure valid title to his land, and cultivate
bis homestead in peace. The inhabitants of Min
neapolis have particular reasons for rejoicing,
for many who had spent thousands of dollars in
improving their farms and were fearful that at
last they might slip from them, need no longer
indulge in misgivings, but 60 forward in the good
work Of developing the resources of our Terri
tory. 1t is true, that by the passage of this act
many who were poor have become prospectiyely
rich, for the land that few weeks ago was worth
Slipper acre, is at least worth $50 now. But all
this is legitimate. He who staked his all, and
ventured on these lands-who worked day and
night to keep them from the avaricious grasp Of
the speculator-who endured the privations of a
frontier life, the hot suns of summer and the cold
blasts of winter, richly deserves whatever ad-
vance good title may give him.
The ignorance which prevails at Washington
and elsewhere concerning the hardships Of the
pioneer, is truly lamcntable. Were the facts, as
they exist, laid before Congress, or could the
members of that body see them just as they are,
we feel very confident that greater privileges
would be granted those who penetrate the thick
forests of barbarism and pave the way for civil-
cation. Who else but the pioneer has been the
means of adding State after State to this already
great Union? Who has done more than he to
disseminate civil and religious liberty? Who has
suffered more, toiled more, harder or more earn
estly for the welfare of his &c dear native land "
than he? Go where you will, and you will find
him, battling with nature, confronting the red
man and winding his way over the Rocky Noun
tains almost to the Pacific Coast. Nothing daunts
him-nothing stays his march-onward he push
es, followed by host of others until what once
was barrenness, produces beauty and plenty. And
shall not such be rewarded? What does he ask
Merely that Government will protect him in hold
ing small spot Of land, upon which he can build
his cottage and be shielded from the storms of
life. He wants that which he can call his oc,,,
and which he can bcqucath to his children when
s'lifc's ftful fever's o'er.'' He who would derry
him this, would deny the weary traveller with a
drink of water when gurglng streams ripple by
his door. And yet Government does deny him
this, and in too many cases, even when he is will
ling to pay for the land, he is driven from it by
the speculator, who like the horse lecch, is never
satisfied, but cries ssgive! givc!'' We look for
ward to the time when the hardy pioneer will re-
ceive the reward of his toil-when our National
Legislature will be convinced Of the fact that he
who leads the van in the march of civilization, is
deserving of few acres of the public domain,
and that all such by the possession of these acres
will become better men, better christians and bet
ter patriots. When this day comes, as it surely
will come, the whole extent of our country will be
dotted with the marks of industry-new marts Of
trade will De open to the States, and a more &C.
NAL and friendly spirit will animate the bosoms
of those who can truly exclaim-" We are Amer
ic on citizens, not because we were born here
not because chance has placed us upon the shores
of the free, but because we own the soil upon
which we tread-because we are component parts
Of the great confederacy Of States,-w will de-
fend our own. We will $3.50 - ~ 2 ."'
80 sstrike for green graves Of our srcs. 9iinf
fnt God and native and.'2 =. rf,s
| Nothing will tend so much to consolidate and
perpetuate the institutions of freedom, than the
ownership Of the soil. Nothing will tend to ele-
vate man SO much in the scale Of manhood as the
ownership of the soil. Nothing will tend to create
more intense patriotism than the knowledge that
! he who walks uprightly beneath the stars and
the stripes, owns portion of the soil over which
that banner foats;-he is proud of it, and ere he
would allow ono star to be dimmed, he would
wade through rivers of blood God speed the
day when the hardy pioneer shall enjoy the fruits
of his labor--when a more perfect system of
equalization shall predominant, when he who is
able and willing to work, can become the posses
sor Of that which he can righfully call his own.
l59u- 10 ST. PATRICKy DAY. sd bej -s.
Although Saturday wus cold and somewhat
clustering day, yet quite large number of our
the anniversary Of their Patron Saint. In the
early part of the day, the procession, under the
direction of John Bell, Chief Marshal, Patrick
Murnane, John Smith, Vim. B. McGrory, John
Rogers, and Patrick Ryan; Assistants, passed our
Office headed bya band of music, followed by
four men carrying q large and beautiful Ameri-
can Aag-then came the green flag of ireland
trimmed with gold, on one side of which was an
outspread Eagle, on the other the words "Apostle
of Ireland" Following these flags came forty
eight Sc Sons of Erin" decorated In their neat
regalia, who behaved in such manner as to re-
feet credit upon the occasion. The procession
proceeded to. the Catholic Church, whore 4 SER
mon was delivered by Rev. Mr. Murray, whichis
highly spoken of by those who heard Il. At the