Minnesota weekly times., 1856-10-11
Minnesota as . s,s'.s-Finai.

| JOHN L. WARREN, ESQ., Sir,--Your article in
the Pioneer of the ID iust., has been perused BY
me with much pleasure. Iaocord to you my ad.
miration for the ingenuity displayed in maintain.
ing your position, for the high toned character Of
your article, and for the manly courtesy with
which you treat your opponent. ''The agitation Of
thought il the beginning of wisdom," and with
out this agitation much that is good is left to
moulder ON the shelves Of oblivion, while proper
treatment of subject which at first appears un-
interesting often tends to beneficial results. Let
Us hope that the present discussion will at least
awaken an interest among the people, and prepare
them to act understandiugly on question OF
vital importance to their future prosperity. When
truth is left to combat error, we need not fear
for the collision
As you have net felt disposed to controvert
the positions laid down by me in previous arti-
Gle, shall consider briefly only such points as
have direct bearing upon the question at issue,
and then dsmi'as the matter for the consideration
of those to whom it more properly belongs.
You seem to think that the people are of the
opinion that We Shave been dependent upon the
national 60 '5ernment long enough" and therefore
Minnesota should become State. / labor under
the conviction. forced upon me by contact with
the settlers from various parts of the Territory,
that in this particular you err. 1t may be true,
that the people in the cities are anxious for a
State government, because they have capital and
enterprrze to carry forward their Improvements
without the aid of government, but outside of
the cities, where the honest hand of toll lays
open the earth for cultivation, different feeling
exists. The farmers want troads built and streams
believe it willy and relieve them Of tue burden,
they will by no means favor the admission of Min
nesota least for year or two to come.
And then again you take it for granted that all
further appropriations to be stopped, predica-
ting your belief on the simple fact that az the last
session of Congress taunts were thrown out by a
certain member that we were able to take care of
ourselves. And yet Iowa and Wisconsin (which
we presume are not so capable of taking care of
themselves as Minnesota) received millions of
acres of land for Railroad purposes while we re-
ceived none. Truly, Congress must have an ex-
alted opinion of our resources and greatness =
Iowa and Wisconsin can come under the fostering
care of Government, while Minnesota, a child of
Government, is cable to take care of ITSELF"
Queerlogio for Congress, but which in my opinion,
only shows pique on the part of that body un.
worthy the high and noble name it bears. Is
Minnesota selfish? Has she received more ap-
preparations than New Mexico, Oregon, or other
Territories? Look to the record, and it will tell
you "No." Why then should she be despised for
asking for her equal portion Of the public money ?
Why should she be taunted with begging? Be-
cause it is the purpose of certain politicians to
coerce her into the Union, in order to carry out
their well-lsid schemes. If our friend Warren
is not cognizant OF this fact, zoe are. The peo-
pie are not moving in this question-it is politi-
clans. Mark our assertion, and watch the Sc
quel.
am somewhat amused in the change of
public opinion from that of last fall. Then, q
candidate was placed simply upon the appropri-
alton platform national politics were ignored
and the changes rung from one end of the Terri
tory to the other that MIR. Rice could do better in
"beggnlg" for Minnesota than any other man,
and SO MIR. Rice was elected by good round ma
jority. What now? Mr.. Warren says-ss There
is species of dishonesty in grasping too eagerly
after what does not belong to us, and which the
Government has no right to bestow." How much
have we received during the last session of Con-
gress? 1t must be "big pile," for last fall
we were told that Mr.. Rice would get US appro-
priations amounting to not less than $500, 900
20 Sba hno IL
Of that amount9 Why then this change in pub
lie opinion? There must be Il cause for it what
is it, Let thoughtful men decide.
do not believe with Mr.. Warren that the
credit of our merchants " would be greatly aug
mented" by our becoming State. Their credit
is already good-as good as could be desired,
and in what way it could be better under State
Government, l am at loss to know. Nor do
believe that :" our towns and cities would swell
any faster into Commercial Importance" or that
capital would be any more abundant. On the
contrary, as regards the latter proposition,
think if the rates of interest lowered by lsv,
under State Government, money would be
scarcer, because it would be diverted to other
channels. Capital is like real estate--will 90
where it can command the most. This fact has
been fully and thoroughly demonstrated in this
Territory.
still maintain that because we are prosperous,
therefore it is best to let well enough alone,'
nor can see any good reasons ,ohy we should
not continue to prosper under a Territorial Gov
ernment for the next Eve years to come as ra-
pidly As We have during the past. During the
five years, that "imnense portion of the Gov
ernment land" alluded to by Mr.. Warren, would
be settled by practical farmers, who, in develop
ing the soil, would enrich the Territory, and thus
add to our solidity and prosperity, whereas were
we to come in as State immediately most OF
this " immense portion of the Governments iand''
would become the property of speculators, and
remain as dead weight upon the people. The
Iron Horse" will not 60 where there is mere
solisude,"-it must have something more tan
gible to feed upon, and am grati6ed to learn
that capitalists are now becoming aware of this.
Bacon says, "First produce your facts--then
build your theory" Isay, first get your farms,
then build your roads. And in this can con-
ceive nothing " fallacious," metaphysical or mys-
terious.
lwish it distinctly understood, that l do moi
desire to keep Minnesota out of the Union only
so long as will conduce to her prosperity. If in
two years our farmers can get footing can
raise sufficiently of their land to pay for car
reach that position where a State Government
will not be onerous ;-f our new towns, in the
allotted period, can get sufficiently under way "a
prevent bsnkruptcy--if our appropriations an
cut Off, in word the people are willing "a