The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-01-17

men OF Minnesota, as Ill OF Cucih up W Uuio
inc have carefully RETAINED from agitatlng
he subject until our Delegate has been en-
by Congressional sentiment even
70 thwart his success in matters OF ordinary
When we arrive at that point where our
strength makes us weak in demand tor Ter
ritorial support by Congress, it would seem
to be the part of wisdom and dignity to place
ourselves in position to send Representa-
tives to Congress to demand for our man
hood what has heretofore been granted to our
infancy.
The influence of two Senators and three
with authority to speak ana
vote, will surely secure more favorable iegis-
laton than can be expected from Delegate,
however faithful and efficient he may be in
his capacity as such.
While we remain Territory, our school
lands must lie idle for the want of power to
them where needed for educa-
ii )nal purposes.
When we are admitted into the Union as
State, the swamp and overfowed lands can,
be claimed for State use, and not until then.
Upon our admission as State, we shall
probably receive a donation of public lands
equal to the amount received by Iowa and
Wisconsin, say five or six hundred thousand
acres, for purposes of internal improvement
or otherwise. The longer we remain Terri
tory, and the more dense our population be-
comes, less valuable lands will have to be
taken and if this grant is regarded as de-
sirable object to the State, the sooner we are
admitted the better, under all the circum-
stances.
Upon our admission into the Union, like
other land States of the Government, we shall
upon proper conditions, be entitled to five or
ten per cent. on the net proceeds of the sales
of the public lands within the State, for pur-
poses of internal improvement, which will en-
able us to build common roads from point to
point where they are needed, and which will
fully compensate for many years for all the
appropriations from the National Treasury
for such purposes.
We should bear in mind that if Congress
hesitates to grant further aid to support a
Territorial Government, they will not likely
feel free to grant lands to us while a Terri
ritory to aid in constructing Railroads and
other internal improvements.
If it be true, therefore, that the Govern
ment or Congress think we are able to, and
should take care of ourselves, and, for that
reason, withhold the ordinary funds for sup
porting our judicial system, and perhaps here
after our legislative appropriations, our future
prospects would be greatly promoted by an
early State organization.
While Territory we have no credit as a
Government, if such credit should be desira-
BILE to develope our resources; as a State,
we may command such means as may be
deemed indispensable to our welfare, espe-
cially as our population and wealth are am
pie to justify entire confidence abroad.
1t is to be hoped that during the term of
the incoming National Administration, Con-
gress will provide means for a Railroad to
the Pacific; and in that event it is of the
highest Importance to the Northwest, and
particularly to Minnesota, that she should be
a State, and be fully represented and heard
in both branches of Congress. If this great
PROJECT should be acted upon during the
present session, Minnesota could not be
heard in one branch of Congress, and would
be without vote in the other. There is no
great interest in which Minnesota has so
heavy a stake to be won or lost, as in the
Pacific Railroad. 1t may be constructed so
as to make us one of the wealthiest States
in the Union, and it may be so directed as to
make us mere feeder If our interest is
properly guarded in Congress, our best mar
ket for our vast numbering interest will be
in supplying the rich prairie farmers in the
West with all their building, fencing mate
ria and fuel
A Pacific Railroad will be road to India.
1t will bring us in contact with six hundred
millions of people, with portion of whom
we will ultimately open trade, receiving
their commodities, and supplying them with
beef pork, corn, grain, and breadstuffs Of
cvrey kind. Then, the millions of wealth
that has for ages doubled Cape Horn, VII
pass through the centre Of the continent by
land from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and
this will be not only the American, but also
the European channel of trade between the
two oceans. 1t requires no great effort of
the inauguration to discover how readily
European commerce and traye! would take
this route, by which they can reach the Pa
cific in three thousand miles from Boston or
New York, while they now have to sail near
thirty thousand to reach the same points.
In looking over the ground which promi-
ses the most hopeful results to this region of
the continent, the conviction is forced upon
my mind that united and vigorous effort
should be made for Northern route through
our future State as the surest road to great
ness and power. And if we only prove true
to ourselves in the effort to be successful,
this National highway, stretching from ocean
to ocean, will pass over our rich soil, and fill
it with millions of wealth and all the Incl
dental elements of prosperity and happi-
ness.
Therefore, before this prize is lost to US by
the energy and influence of rival routes, let
us put forth all the political energy we pos
sess to get into position where we may
have "blows to give as we'll as to take" In
our present position, we are helpless in all
political struggles; we are now at the mercy
of public men for good or evil.
1t is therefore my opinion, that the speed
lest action for State government, consistent
with other interests, should be taken. To
this end, would suggest that at an early
day in the session, you pass joint resolu-
ton, recommending a Convention to form a
Constitution. An act should also be passed,
providing for census to be taken in March
or April, the returns to be made to the Cover
nor by the first of May, and direct him to
issue his proclamation for an election of Del
egates to be apportioned according to the ra-
ito of population You may prescribe-certifi-
Gates of election to be given as at present to
members of the Legislature. The Conven-
ton may be authorized to assemble in July.
Then provide for submitting the Constitu-
ton to the people for ratifi :ation at the an
nual October election and If IL shall then he