Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-06-14

gresS Is astonishing. Take the little town OF
Hastings below this point on the west side of tho
river. 1t is about one year and half old, and
town lots are now selling in it for $4,000 and
$4,000 per lot. The same thing occurs in Pres
colt, in Winona, and in all the rising towns along
the river. At the same time, all kinds Of bust
ness bear a similar proportion. The profits on
any kind of trade or labor are enormous, and
money commands usually as high as three per
cent. per month, often five, and even as high as
eight. When wo contrast these things with the
way things progress in the East, we are tempted
to conclude that all this will advancement will
lead to eventual ruin and Revision. Such,
doubtless, would be the result in any other ceun-
try. But here the necessity of things establishes
political economy, better fitted for the crcum-
devise the secret Of it all is that this land pre-
sents the phenomenon of a great and most fertile
country filling in with wonderful rapidity, by
people unsurpassed in the world for enterprise or
energy. Here, laborers are still scarce and labor
is high. Here, there is little competition and
everything, physical intellectually is rated at the
highest value. Here, the earth's fertile and
habitable surface is sold by the general Govern
ment at price much below it's real intrinsic
value, and above which it must, from the neces-
sity of things, rise. Here, new and crowding
population is fast assuming the old forms, luxu
ries, and ceremonihs of civilization. There are
places everywhere and men are Mt premium
there is Il want of capital everywhere and capital
is at premium; there is necessity for land
everywhere and land is at premium. The his
tory of the world never anything equal to
this emigration, and when once this greatest and
latest discovered continent is perfect,it never will
again. For there is no similar land so to be
populated. Where else in the world could we
see city of nearly 10000 inhabitants rising as
this has done into being in five years? Where
else are there presented facilities such these 3?
Why the very necessities of circumstances, not
the r-sightedness of any man or set of men
have driven all these things into existence. 1t
has transformed the strangest s,rt of men into
the most incompatible of positions. 1t has made
town owners of the half breeds. 1t has turned
the poor wandering pre-emptOr into the wealthy
capitalist. One gentleman in St. Paul, men,
ton the instance to his most redounding credit.
came here five years ago a Understandable is
now banker. His old log blacksmith shop
stands on one corner of the street, his large
stone banking house on the opposite corner.
What commentary on the West! What Il
frontispiece that picture would make to a history
of St. Paul! Why, if We want any further
evidence Of the immense progress of this place,
or of the powerful current Of emigration that
drives it along, we have only TO notice the bust
ness done on the steamboats, bringing passengers
to St. Paul. This is best evidenced by one or
two facts The War Eagle'' cost about $780,
eco to build, last year she cleared S44 900 pro-
fits. The I" City Belle cost about Sll ,OOv to
build, last year she cleared over $4,000 profits
The first more than doubling, the other almost
TRIPPING in one year the whole cost of construc-
ton. And the company to which these boats in
common with others belong, declared last year
dividend upon profit of 100000, besides build
ing several new boats. Nothing but the most
tremendous emigration to this whole country
could bring about such startling results.
But we must come to a conclusion. Ladies'
and gentlemen, you may he indeed thankful that
fortune on your own foresight cast your lot in
this land. In land blest by the special favors
Of heaven. land teaming in fertility and
beauty, and across whose fair bosom no fatal
m.asma spreads with every blast, bearing sick
ness and desoation upon its wings. In a Ian
certain to progress as it has already progressed,
speedily and undeviatinsy in the path to COM
mercia, agricultural and national importance.
You will grow old, but faster than you grow in
years will your STATE increase in refinement of
arts and greatness of position. You will see
year after year, gathered around you all the
adornments and decorations of life; and the
embers of the Indians fire will scarcely have
disappeared from the heath where his wiswam
stood: before the halls and palaces of the most
elaborate social life will rise upon their Site
Your children, great nation, will inherit these
fields and cities, and will bear on with all the
enterprise AMI activity of their parents, the in
terests of Minnesota on that path of progress
most certainly marked out for her by Provi-
dence.