The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-02-20
For the Union.
MINNESOTA,

f'e@ MINNESOTA, tsat #tfH
Msssrs EDToRs: The citizens Of this young and vigor
Territory but feel deep modification at the
charges which have been made In the New York press Of
fraud aud bribery in securing grant Of the public lands
for railroad purposes within her limits Let me give but
brief review of her settlement the development Of her
sources and the energy Of her people, show that she
deserving the favorable consideration of the highsninded
and honorable Of both branches Of the national legislature
no oaier what the corrupt vena outside Of her limits
may have done to cast stigma upon her fair fame But
eight years ago Minnesota did not contain population Of
iofe than twelve hundred inhabitants The spot which
is now situated the city of ST. Paul. with its schools and
seminar les Of learning its churches and benevolent and
chatabe institutions then occupied by about twelve
log and frame buildings and by about fifty people The
land which situated the towns Of Red Wing Browns
ville Wnona Mansato Faribaul Minneapolis Sbackapee
and Others with their thrifty and enterprsing population
of two and three thousand people, then forbidden
ground 10 the feet Of the white The Indian held
pyeme control Not until the 4h of February 1853
the land west of tie Mississippi and north OF the Iowa line
thrown open TO settlement; but settlements extend
from Root river in the southeastern of the Terrific
ry beyond the Blue Earth river Spread before
you the map of Minnesota and let the eye glance that
immense extent Of country from the Iowa line westward to
the 9eh deg of west longitude and the 45h Of north at
ude This vast country to 1858 the home Of the
wild Sioux; it susains population of nearly one
hundred and fifty thousand white men. Stages are
now constantly running during the winter from St
Paul to Dubuque, Iowa, and TO Saltwater, ST. An
thony, Watab, Shackapce, and Mankato, ard mail
route has been lately established from Mankato to
Sioux city, the Missouri river The enterprise of Mn
nesotians been confined direction 1t
has penetrated to the British line and Pembna the Red
River of the North Buchanan Lake Superior, Little
Falls the Upper Mississippi with many other places,
nave sprung up as If by magic. steamboat hns been
plying above the falls of St Anthony for the last five years
and the waters of the Red River of the North will be
united by canal with the Minnesota aud thus form one
continued of navigation from the Mississippi the
British line progress of Minnesota one OF the won
deIs Of the age From what Goes it spring. From the
desire Of to better his condition and to leave home
for his children Men of little in the East fo sake
their old homes and their household gods and undergo
hardshps TOLL and suffering in the West in the wds OF
Minnesota obtain spot earth that they may call
their God has planted this desire in the human
breast and it is that ought to be aged and cult
waited. The man who has home of his own, and in
teres in the SOIL becomes conservative aud good citizen
These pioneers that have thus gone forth in the wilder
ness and made their homes have preserved themselves
from the dcpredations of the savages and kept them
peace without the expenditure of cent and above
the ordinary expenditure Of the government While Ore
gon and Washington and the other Territories have bsen
involved in bloody Indian wars and have thus an
immense outlay of public money, Minnesota, although
nearly surTounUeu ny WarHhe uiDes-tDe OnppeWa9,
Sioux and Winneblgoeshas preserved The peace
full relations with her Indian neghbors. This fact alone
speaks loud in commentator of the courage and ortitde
Of her citizens, and Of their uprightness and integrity
for they alone command the respect of the Indian who
treat him with humanity and faithful their engage
ments
And now, Messrs. Editors, what do these men, who
have thus penetrated the wilds of Minnesota ard made
themselves homes ask of Congress
They ask grant OF public lands enable them through
the action OF their representatives in the legislative
bly, to open railroads carry the produce of their labor
and toll to market They ask only what hes been granted
to Iowa. Wiscs nsn Michigan Louisiana and other west
ern and southern States But their which re-
luires the peculiar consideration Of Congress For nearly
I've months in the year their rivers blocked up by the
Ice and navigation They therefore, for that
period of from all communication with the rest Of the
republic, except by Stage seghs Taking ali these
things into consideration will Congress grant what
Minnesota asks For what object, Messrs. Editors have
these charges of fraud which FIRST alluded been made
they got up by interested parties aud money opera
tors outside of the Territory and friends Of the Pacific rail-
road in order 10 defeat the Minnesota bill What Mime
soan has asked these New York 70 nterfere7 Has
the delegate from Minnesota No. lie is competent him
selfto represent the interests of his constituents Has any
man from Minnesota ! answer empba,cay, No. Min
has but small representation in Gs departments
here and In Congress although containing population of
two hundred thousand but that and her cit
zens here know her interest and her wants and are vii
ling and able 10 protect the and provide for the other