The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-04-18

Capital stronger than SectiOnalism.
Capital, like matter, obeys the laws o
gravitaton. Wherever it is most strongly
attracted, there we may be sure 1t will co.
But it is necessary to define, the limits o
the attractive power. Our formula is pred
Gated upon condition Of personal and COM
mercial freedom, such as we enjoy in this
country, and might not be altogether true
under despotic government like that OF
Russia, though even there the rule would be
subject to but slight exception. Capital, we
have said, will go where it is most strongly
attracted, and in the long run it is sure to be
attracted where it can be used to the best
neutrality-suspicious. active and extensive busi-
ness operations imperatively require its pres
ence-where great natural resources await
the hand of labor to shape them to use, and
develop their highest values.
Such field for the use Of capital is en-
phatically the great Northwest, where the
amount employed in active business bears so
ly is to be. 1t will be no news to our bust
ness men to say that money capital is now
flowing into this great and but partially de-
veloped region in steadily increasing streams.
Hundreds of new farms are being opened ev-
cry month towns are sprinsing up as IT by
magic over the broad surface of our praires;
cities of metropolitan proportions and unex-
ampled growth cluster around the great lakes.
The world knows that grand future is be-
fore us, and is sending us not only its money,
but its hosts of men and women and chill
dren, who are worth infinitely more than
money to the country.
In this connection we are reminded OF the
gratifying fact that enlightened interest has
proved itself more than match for section
alism. Enterprising Southerners, in looking
to the grand developments of our favored re-
gion, have forgotten all about the peculiar
institution" if they ever felt an interest in
it, and thought only of a judicious invest
ment of their money, and desirable homes
for themselves and their families. 1t would
be easy to reckon up some millions of South
ern capital invested in our city alone, and
more is coming from day to day. Neither
have the advantages of the country through
out the States of the Northwest been over
looked by Southern enterprise, as we lave
shown on several previous occasions.
But some facts have recently come to our
knowledge that very strongly illustrate the
force of interest as opposed to sectionalism.
Since the death of John G. Calhoun, the
most unfinching champion of slavery among
the public men of the South has unquestlon-
ably been the Hon. Robert Il. Toombs. He
was the pillar of the last Southern Conven-
ton. His presence gave emphasis to the
greatest ovation given in honor of the late
Preston S. Brooks. In short, he has put
himself forward on all occasions as the most
logged advocate of the extreme demands of
the Shareholders. One might therefore have
inferred that he would tolerate no Northern
thing of interest, and good deal of surprise
was manifested at his able and earnest advo-
cacy of the Minnesota Land Grant Bill at
the last session Of Congress. He took the
lead in its discussion in the Senate, and his
efforts materially contributed to the success
of the measure. Whence the unexpected
milk in the cocoa nut? The explanation be-
comes easy when We are told, as we have,
that he has invested money in Minnesota
lands, and has other pecuniary interests
around Lake Superior. 1t is not at all i'm
possible that Mr.. Toombs may some day be-
come citizen of the Northwest, and then
farewell to his championship of the peculiar
ests more strong and peculiar, one of which
may DE OeSlTc W represent NoTtu"Coteiii
freemen in Congress. Such an event does not
seem very probable, neither would it very
surprising, considering the extraordinary
changes that are now taking place in our
political and social relations.
/ Senator Alexander II. Slidell, of Louisia
ma, only second in zeal to Mr. Toombs as {;
champion of slavery, is, we learn, also invest
Ing capital in the Northwest, and fact has
come to our knowledge showing that he is
better financier than politician. His agent,
who had been travelling over this State with
a view to investment, wrote back to his prin-
cipal that the country was making great pro
grcss, but he thought lanlwas held altoscth
or too high, as quite as good could be obtain
ed in Missouri for mere fraction of its cost.
What should he do? Mark the answer of
the pro-slavery Senator: "Buy in Illinois by
all means" This single fact upsets the whole
southern theory of the profitable character
of slavery, and demonstrates that those who
hold it do not believe what they say.
These and other similar facts that might be
mentioned are unmistakable indications of
the omnipotence of capital over all the falla-
cies Of false political economy founded up
on slave labor. They are but the beginning