Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-06-28

And so too tie SUCCESSORS Of this unknown
race, the red man, are passing away and leav-
ing this region open for the peaceful and happy
abode of a christian people.
Are there no fields for investigation here
Has Minnesota no antiquity-no memorials OF
departed greatness worthy Of our study and
our toll
The Indian roams no longer over his favor
ite hunting grounds, nor does lie follow through
our streets, his old war PATH reddening the soil
with the blood Of lis ancient enemies. But
we trace their memorials here. In the lam
guagr OF another, these mountains have be-
| come tier enduring monuments, and Their
rpilaph is Inserted in tie lucid language OF
nature on III. Sc lila jestc rivers
To this Society. then, We leave this race ard
their unknown predecessors, the Investigation of
their history, their habits and chara cter, the pre-
servation OF their traditions, and the record of
their virtues and their vices.
Nor Is our present devoid Of historic interest
and Importance. AS the pioneers of new race,
of civilization, and of Christianity, we hare taken
laying here, broad and deep, upon the ruins of
other races, the foundations of a new empire.
Fellow-citizcns Of Minnesota! there are con-
nectcd with the present, duties and responsible
ties of momentaus import not only to ourselves,
but to all who come after US.
Gentlemen OF the Historical Society! it will be
the province of impartial history to record with
an iron pen the manner in which these response
biities are met ard these duties discharged
have thus attempted, in the briefcst manner
possible, to give YOU an idea of the mission of
the Society which has called us together to-day.
AS citizen of Minnesota, am proud of the
prosp: cts which the Historical Society has opened
out before 1t for useful and honorable activity
| AZ a resident of ST. Paul and member of her
municipal government, grati6ed that this
city is made the home of this organization, and
hope that it may long continue to hare an hon.
orel name and place in our midst:
| At the conclusion Of Mr. B,cker's remarks.
which were received with fattcring dcmonstra-
tons, Lieut.. Maury introduced and spoke ut
some length, MS follows
| SPEECH OF
l.. l.. Z II l. n ANT MArJRY.
On the Laying Of The Corner Stone Of the
MINNESOTA HISTORICAL. SOCIETY.
! Lieut. Mau'y said: You have Just witnessed,
! laGics ard gentlemen, one of the most interesting
ceremonies in which it has been my good fortune
to participate. The corner stone of the Hall of
the Minnesota Historical Society is laid to -dav.
Upon it, noble pile 100 by $50 feet is to rise up
an ornament to your city and an honor to the
people Of this Territory. 1t is glorious under
| taking. Your Society dates back to the frs.
Legislative assembly of the Territory-it was
incorporated then, and its growth has been quite
| equal TO Tint of this city, marvellous and wonder
ful, and mas;c-!ke though it be.
What Il noble and ennobliuz spectacle is now
presented for oar contemplation and adm ration.
| people in the rough and tumble of a new
country. amidst the hardshirs and privatons in
cident thereto a people from whose hearing the
yell of the savage and the orgies of the scalp
dance had not yet died away, preparing to lay on
| the very spo, where many Of them have seen the
Indian plant his wigwam, the corner stone of .
temple dedicated not to history alone, but to
science, literature and art, to everything that
elevates the man and adorns the mind.