Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-01-30
TUESDAY,

hardly know how to condense my remarks and
do any thing like justice to the subject. 1t is
known that our Government is divided into three
Departments under the ConstitEtion,-thc Exec
utive, Legislative and Judicial, each acting as
checks upon the other. The Congress of the
United States is the Representative of the great
American principle of popular sovereignty, which
has its foundation in the will of the people. Itis
to this branch Of the Government we look for the
chief scources of happiness and prosperity.
They have the power to lay, and collect taxes
provide for the common defence-to borrow
money-to regulat, commerce-to promote the
progress of science and the useful arts--to con-
stitute Courts of Jud:caturc--to declare war, to
raise armies, to maintain navy. They have, by
the construction given to the Constitution by one
of the great political parties of the country how
presslY given by the Constitution, on which re-
suits as a necessary, incident to some express
grant. The great idea with which our forefathers
were imbucd, was that the people capable of
self-government, and the great principle has been
tested for more than sixty years, and each year
confirming the confidence of the American patriot,
that Americans, at least, are capable of self
government.
The Congress of the United States, in their
wisdom and patriotism have proven the sound
ness of this principle in extending our institu-
tions from the line of the North Western Terri
tory, to the golden shores of the Pacific. Where
ever Americans are found, there this great prnci-
pie is recognized. By the wisdom of Congress-
ional enactments, within the past six years, one
State and seven Territories have sprung into exist
ence, each of which are daily giving proofs of
the wisdom of this policy and this intelligent
audience assembled around this festive board.
The Hon. President, before reading this toast,
alluded to one principle contained in the act Or
ganizing the Territory of Minnesota, by which
Congress reserved the power of disappearing any
act of our Territorial Legislature. l need only
say, that if l were in the Congress of the U. S.
and the proposition was made to reserve to Con-
gress this veto power upon the acts of her chill
drcn with Territories, should 60 against it. Power
is as safe in the hands of the people of the Ter
ritories, it would have been in their hands be-
fore they left their old homes in the States. |
have yet to learn that we have less sense and
judgment while residing in Territory than while
residing with s'thc Old Folks at Home.' We
brought with us our primmcrs and spelling books,
and our fathers and mothers carefully deposited
in our care the Bible. We have here our school
houses and our churches,-and we cherish as high
ly here as we did at home the principle that man
is capable of elf-Governmeut
We may err individually or collectively, but no
do hat
to find an antidote for the poison.
This festive occasion is fraught with great inter-
est, much more so fear than you seem to appre-
ciate. was deeply impressed with the import
ance and magnitude of the Wire Suspension
Bridge connecting St. Anthony and Minneapolis.
1t struck me then, as it does now, as an event
spring in the great west, and the very confines
of civilization, worthy Of the most marked men,
tion; and consequently took occasion to bring
it before the country in my late official m ,ssage,
which was permitted to deliver to the Legisla-
ture of our Territory now in session. Laughter.
is now complete, and Minnesota men, and
capital, and Minnesota enterprise, now
claim the honor of being the first to span the great
king of rivers. This is wonderful enterprise,
when we consider that we standing at the Falls
of St. Anthony, 2200 miles from the mouth of
this great river, and when but yesterday, as it
were, we were crossing its morbid waters in log
canoe, and pushing as with the palm of our hands
the red man of the forest and prairie farther and
farther back from the habitations of civilized
man.
Let not the opportunity pass you of making
known to the Congress of the United States, the
accomplishment Of this great work. Point them
to the fact that it is upon the line of the Northern
Branch Of the Pacific Railway. Who knows but
this mighty structure may yet bear the weight Of
the commerce of the Pacific, as it mingles with
that of the Atlantic. This is no Utopian idea,
for the country that has people whose enterprise
constructs such noble specimen of art, deserves
the attention of the National Congress. St. Paul,
with all her population, capitol and commerce,
has permitted Minneapolis and ST. Anthony, to
snatch the palm from her. And you deserve the
honor. Do not let your apathy lose you the pres
tige your capital and enterprise have won.
These festive occasions are both interesting and
instructive. They bring together our people, who
thus become known to each other personally, po-
litically and socially. In this new country we
are surrounded by ladies and gentlemen of varied
sentiments, sympathies, education and associa-
ton, and here VIC able by forming each others
acquaintance to disabusc ourselves of prejud.ces
that, without occasions like these might exist for
years.
| cannot let the occasion close, without tender
ing my sincere acknowledging to the highly
accomplished engineer, whose scientific skill PLAN
ned and executed this great structure of art.
May his life be prolonged many years for the
benefit Of his country, and may this festive occa-
sion be productive of much good to this Territory.
cloud Applause).
4. The Army and Nary.-The past has clothed
them with imperishablc honors-may their future
be as glorious as their past.
Capt. ]. II. Simpson responded. He stated
that he expected that he would respond to another
toast, but when the Army or Navy was mentioned,
he felt duty bound to say something although they
needed no eulogv from him. The speaker then
alluded to what the soldiers of the revolution had
done in those days which tried mems souls-to
the many dark scenes witnessed by the troops
to the triumph which followed our arms and to the
glorious liberty achieved by them. To the Army
and Navy we were indebted for our Institutions
for the opportunity of enjoying the festivities on
this occasion for all tho privileges Of civil and
religious freedom. The many daring exploits of
our Navy were alluded to--the courageous conduct