The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-01-27
~ For the Minnesotian.
Emigration Agent.

MEssRs. EprroRs The Governor, in his
message, recommends to the Legislature the
appointment Of an Emigration Agent to re-
side chiefly in the city of N. Y, whose duty it
shall be to give to the people correct iuforma-
ton of our Territory, &C." That the appoint,
meht of such agent or agents would tend great
ly to advance the interests of Minnesota, and
to increase her population, there can be no
doubt. I wish through your paper
to call the attention of the members OF the
Legislature to few thoughts upon the sugges-
tion that such agent should reside in the city
of New York. The city of New York is the
very last place we should think Of going to
find that class of emigrants best calculated to
perform the labors and endure the hardships of
Pioneer life. What Minnesota most needs is
not merchants and professional men, but in
dustrious, intelligent and enterprising farmers
and mechanics. That few such might be OBJ
tanned by our agent in the city of New York,
we admit, but all know that the result, if not
the object of locating an agent in that city
would be an immense increase of foreign popu'
lation. Our agent would meet the cargoes q
Germans, Irish and other foreigners, many o.
whom he would induce to come to Minnesota
Without wishing to detract anything from the
virtues of our foreign population, would ask
whether with all their ignorance Of our insti
buttons, their own national peculiarities and
prejudices, and in some cases their opposition
to our free schools and other liberal institu
tons, they would constitute as desirable an &C
cession to the population of Minnesota, al
would the same number OF industrious, intelli
gent and enterprising American citizens?
Now by assigning to the proposed agent Of
agents different field of labor, we can al
well have our emigrants from the latter class
as from the former. Turn portion of the tid'
OF emigration that is ever flowing westward
from all the Eastern, Western and Middle
States, into Minnesota, and you will soon SCI
this Territory filling up with class of people
who understand and love our American insti
tutions, and who have the knowledge and tn
energy necessary to q rapid development o
the resources of this Territory.
In place, therefore, of an agent residing il
New York, let him travel extensively through
the States. Let him visit every important ci
ty, county, town, and every considerable vii
lage, and present to the people, in public lee
lures, all such Information as would be calcu
lated to incline those who think of moving
westward, to Minnesota. Let hin. 60 into. th'
farming districts and call the people together
and tell them of the beauty, health. productive
ness and other attractions of this portion of tht
West, and he will spread the Minnesota fevel
wherever he goes, and that fever will burn un
til it carries off those who have it, and bring
them to Minnesota Much might be said upor
this subject, but these few words may, we hope
prove suggestive to the members of our legisla
ture, and should they act upon them, they will
do more for this Territory than it is possible fol
them to do in any other way, or by any other
measure which they may adopt while they are
together. j. G. R.