The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-04-11
The Proposed Celebration.

To tie Editors Of tie -Ninnesotiaa ..-
Although decidedly of opinion that the
proposed celebration was ill-timed and H.
advised, | felt disposed to leave the response
blllty with the gentlemen who, with the best
intentions, l have no doubt, were the movers
learn, however, that as an inducement to
others to contribute literally to the funds
Tor the occasion, it has been said that had
given five hundred dollars to tie Finance
Committee. This is a misstatement which
feel called Oh to correct and in doing SO will
take occasion thus publicly to express my
views in regard to the celebration. When
waited on for subscription, declined con-
trbuting individually, but expressed will
lingness to meet my proportion of any sum
my business partners should subscribe for
the firm. They subscribed the sum named
above.
If the character Of Il local rejoicing, en-
bracing an illumination, supper &C., were to
be given the demonstration, similar to the
late affair at Saltwater, but with more per-
feet arrangement if possible. and involving
comparatively thrilling expenditure, would
not think it out OF place. An event has oc-
Cured which will promote the material
wealth Of our city and the Territory, and for
those who choose to express their satisfac
ton i'll such mode, it is proper enough
But different characters sought tobe given
it. Distinguished guests from abroad are
expected; an expenditure of fifteen or TWEEN
ty thousand dollars is proposed. Now con-
fess that this sum looks quite disproportion-
the celebration.
There will soon he an occasion when dem
onstration at cost of twenty or even fifty
thousand dollars would not be inappropriate,
and would not be like water poured upon
the ground. When the iron bands have uni
ted the navigable waters of the Mississippi
flowing southwark to the land of the orange
and the palm, with the navigable waters of
the Red River flowing northward to Arctic
seas, then will be an occasion when thou
sand invited guests embracing the leading
men, not only of political, but of financial
and commercial circles from all parts Of the
United States would come. Possibly, in
view of acommercial highway being opened to
thevist continental possessions of Great Brit
tain north of us, We might entertain on such
an occasion guests from the commercial cities
OF Europe, whence we get our Iron and our
Cold for these enterprises. An excursion
trip, when the road is opened to the head of
Rcd River, would be an inducement to emf
nent men abroad to visit Minnesota, and to
cross her broad acres of praries to the far
Their border.
1t would well repay the outlay too, in
making Minnesota personally known to one
or two thousand of the leading minds of the
country, interesting them in our prosperity
and here pledge myself if it be necessary.
to give thrice five hundred dollars to such
an enterprise. What inducements shall we
offer at the propoced city celebration in
May, to men abroad to visit us? Surely
they will not come and see our illumination
nor the display of fire works proposed. We
should be rejoicing over an event to us now
only of local significance. Then it will have
been an achievement, interesting to CONT
nent.
BE assured, We shall fail to get dozen
eminent men from abroad here in May.
Then, too, it is at season Of the year
very unfavorable for pleasant impressions Of
OUR climate and country. The earth will
not yet have doncd her summer robes. We
have no spring in this climate. Our sum-
mer the last Of May, leaps, Minerva like
full armed from the head of winter.
J have not thought it necessary to look al
the question in any political aspect. Indeed
if the occasion was appropriate for inviting
distinguished public men, feel sure its char
acter might be rendered unohjectionabIe in
that respect.
Without any constraint or reluctance, but
with cheerlulness, render honor to Senator
Ioombs, who rose above local prejudice and
sectional interest and gave the measure which
was TO benefit part Of the country remote
from his constituents, the prestige Of his
name, the influence of Which, in awning tn.
opposition from his section of the union
we perhaps colho. appreciate. But it is no,
expected that Senator Toombs will be here
in May.
am assured by the gentleman who offer
ed, at the Court House Meeting. the resolu
ton which named NJ. Toombs. that it wa:
to have no connection with the celebration
but simply at some future time during tho
summer to visit Minnesota, and to sig
signify as to the time it would be convenient
when we would suitably acknowledge oul
Indebtedness by a dinner. This 1 esteem
appropriate and delicate-more manly and
becoming than to ask that Statesman t.
witness village illumination-it could no
. be more-and an exhibition of fireworks
This would be boyish. ar p