The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-12-31


constitute an item Of expenses that would
stsrtle us il we knew thu gross amount, we
have given our notes at three or five per
cent. month, secured by real estate. Dur
ing this period we have eclipsed the city Of
New York. in the elegance and richness Of
dress, in the spIendor Of our equipage and
in aristocratic hauteur Perhaps no place
on the earth Of the same age OF our own,
ever taxed itself SO severely in aping the
extrsvsgancics, fashions and follies Of over
grown and corrupt cities.
The best Of all fortune which could have
overtaken us, was the check in the western
flow Of eastern money. The people have
been taught a short lesson from necessity,
and they viii learn longer one from re-
Election. Very few, indeed, have taken upon
themselves the latter task for years; but
threatening debts and impending bankruptcy
and poverty, have done what the eloqucnce
OF the world could not have done, and sober
sense Il taking the place of the imagination.
This is not, however, the day for repining
This il not the hour when We should doubt
the richness Of the future. We are now to
some extent being dressed in the garments
Of our Pilgrim Fathers. 1t is we'll that ne
cessiiy has driven IA 10 adopt soEe OF the
ideas which gave to our common country the
prominence which appears not only in our
own estimation but in that OF the
natiocs Of the earth. have hopes
and confidence in the fortunes of Mnneso-
Ia at this time 10 larger extent than dur
ing the most exalted period Of land specu-
laton. Every country must maintain itself
by its internal productions and legitimate
trade or commerce. We have advantages
which should give US "a more important po-
s,ion in the rank Of States than occurs to
the mind upon first impression. 1t is not to
BIZ forgotten that we have a temperate eli.
mate, neither 50 cold as to freeze the ener-
gics Of human beings, nor so warm AS tn
paralyze them. We have that degree OF
latitude which will always furnish and sus-
tain the largest degree OF physical energy
aud mental endurance. This is indispensa-
BILE to the building up Of a great State. We
have a soil that is unsurpassed in its fertility
fitted by nature for Immediate use. We
have an nexhaustible water power, which
the energy of our people will put in mme-
diate requisition to the extent Of our wants.
We are so situated that we are placed in
communication with the immense pine IT,
giops and mineral be,ls Of the North. and,
during large portion OF the year, have II
constant and cheap transportation for the
products Of our industry to all parts of the
earth. Toll, labor, energy and mind alone
are wanted 10 lead or drive US along. and
do honestly believe that We have the ele-
ments in our midst We must miserably
disgrace our ancestry if we fail 10 surmonnt
our momentary cmbarrassments and give
brillancy and largely increased character to
our future IL is TO be hoped and expected
that we have sown our wild oats, and that
upon the ample fortunes remaining we viii
form the foundation Of an enduring pros
perity.
With the industry ard correct vir,uous
habits of the early puritans for our Cover
nors and guides, during few years past,
our condition would have bern far different
from the present A moderate degree of
expenditure would have undoubtedly pre-
vented the enormous advance which ehave
seen in the prices Of real estate, but it would
have u>icej such an advance as would con
stantly have lett the exchanges upon the
East in our favor, and made rs creditors,
instead OF debtors. II would have saved
tina, Suspension in sales, and uncertainty in
value. which is now creating terror in the
hearts Of honest men. But the reflection Is
only useful us i, ,cachc- "a lesson for the
future. 1t is folly 10 lament. Now is the
time to 90 to work and repair the damages.
There il only wanting tenth part Of the
sell denial of those old pioneers of the cast
ern shore, both north and south there Is
only wanting a tenth part OF their energy to
place our new State in position much IN
advance Of many of the old States OF the
Union.
II has been said that the early settlers Of
New England entertained rigid notions of
government, and this Is well known To have
been SO. as well in temporal as in spiritual
affairs. 1t is subject well worth onr in
yestigation, and the enquiry Immediately
suggests itself how lid it happen that the
mos, liberal institutions should have risen
upon foundation Of bigotry AMI supersti-
ton. 1t may BE- said that those who held
the power, became wiser from year to year,
and relaxed their authority over mems
thoughts aud actions. 1t may bc said that
they grew lcnen, under the necessity Of
uniting the exer,ions Of all in making CON-
mon cause against common eacny. Tn
qucstionably these causes were not without
their influence in bringing about the result
which followed II required continuation
of CAUSES. however, 10 lay the foundation Of
government and institutions like ours, and
sustain them AS they have been sustained by
our people TO the present. day. One great
cause which hal and has continued 10 have.
more commanding influence than any Other.
save the energy and intelligence OF our early
pioneers, was the abundance and cheapness
of land. There was al attempt, Il Is true.
to give the control Of the coun,ry 10 the
lew, aud exclude the masses and the mem.
bcrs even Of the colony Of Plymouth them
selves, set oil lands 20 one another as grudg.
ingly, as il all the land upon the continent
overlooked Plymouth harhor But the