The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-10-03

nv, those who have passed beyond the Sur
veys set down ON the public domain, are
trespassers in contemplation of law, and liza
BILE to prosecution. They arc on them with
out title, yet the whole history of the settle
ment of the West is witness that the pioneer
has ever preceded the surveyor, and that
settlements and improvements have always
anticipated sales at auction and private en-
tries. 1t is not presumable that the Gov
eminent Of the United States would wish to
hamper and delay the settlement OF her from
tier by the slow and tedious operations of
the General Land office; that it would desire
to speculate upon the labor Of the pioneer,
and turn to the advantage of the National
Treasury, the increased value of lands arising
from his industry and toll, or that it could
consent that his home should be sold over
his head, and his land put up at open sale, to
be struck off to the highest bidder without
regard to his equitable interest and just pro-
lection.
In this matter, both the general interests
of the country, and the interest and protec-
ton OF the settler, require action; and doubt
not that ii proper representations are again
made by the Legislative Assembly, Congress
would give to them the most favorable con-
sideratiOn.
"These hardy pioneers, who at the sacrifice
of many of the comforts of life have passed
the frontiers of the Union, and with US are
moving steadily to the waters of Hudson's
Bay, cons titute the rank and file of that great
army of peaceful progress, which has shed
brighter lustre on our name, than all the
fields red with carnage, that have witnessed
the triumph of our flag. They bring with
them to the wilderness, which they embel-
fish and advance, maXims of civil liberty, not
engrossed on parchments but inscribed in
their heaits-not as barren distractions, but
as living principles and practical rules of con-
duct. They cost the government neither
monthly pay, nor rations-they solicit no
bounty-they expect no hospital privileges
but they make the country its history, and
its glory. Extension to them of the pre-
emption privilege would be an act of peace
and reposc. 1t would quiet titles, avoid ex-
element, perplexity and inconvenience, give
a substantial character to frontier improve
ments, and secure to the enterprising settler
the undisurbed possession and safe owner
ship of his home"
Now, this is the language of RAMsEY-the
man the Pioneer calls upon the hardy yeo-
many Of Minnesota to vote against, because
he has always been opposed to their dearest
interests" We leave these voters to judge
for themselves knowing full we'll what Their
verdict will be-
But as to SIBLEY. He staid in Congress
during the whole of Gov RAMsEY's term Of
office. Year after year the Legislature O
the Territory urged him to procure the pass
age of this presumption law upon unsurveyed
lands. Year after year the Governor urged
it in his messages, and year after year the
Governors friends in the Legislature-LUD
7 DEN, NORTH, BRuNsoN, DAY, LOOMS, OLM
srED, &c.--passed the memorial. But SIB.
LEY, as Delegate, failed every time to do hi
duty in the premises.
Finally, after Gov. RAMSEY was out of of
flee, and II. NJ. RICE succeeded SIBLEY a.
Delegate, the Ex-Governor and Mr.. RICE me
at Washington during the session of Con
grcss. Before the Committee on Public
Lands of the House they both appeared
and there advocated this great measure
AND SUCCEEDED IN CARRYING 1T! To RAMSEY
and RICE belongs the credit of giving earl,
homes to thousands of the best citizens o
Minnesota; while to SIBLEy is attached thu
stigma of Sinking his duty in this importan
particular, and consequently retarding, fo
four years, the settlement of the Territory
upon the unsurveyed lands.
We would, had we space, go farther, ant
Lore for the early settlers when at the head O
the Fur Company. We might call up SOM
old Witnesses here about St. Paul, to SHOW
how in former times bushel of oats or corr
imported from below was worth twice a
much to him in purchasing as the same ar
tice was when offered for sale by the mel
who first put pillow into the fertile acres @
Minnesota. And why Because he wishe
the settlers to "starve out" as he then ex
pressed it. This country belonged to hr
and his Inlian trading house-in his estima
tion-and no POOR man had right to tres
pass upon his lordly domains. 1t was onl
after the hardy pioneers-whose leading trait
Of character are SO graphically and truthful.
portrayed in the quotation we have mad
from RAMsaY's message-iorced their wa
over his barrier Of monopoly, that he cas-
aside his ariStocratic robes and turned "Demc
GRAFT"
But enough. We will only remark, tina
the Pioneer in concluding its TRADE, make
allusion, in mean inuendo, to the old Siou.
payment of 1852 Now, let Mr.. SIBLET o
any of his lying minons, attempt to rake VI
anything in connection with that matter
IF THEY DARE! We defy Aem!!