The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-07-11

Their uniform, though objected to by many
from association, is exceedingly snowy. A
brilliant scarlet jacket, slashed with gold'
and turned up with blue iacings, land scar
let regulation hat, with IS. P. L. c." on il,
surmounted by snowy red and white plume.
The pants are white, and the company will,
when they are regularly equipped, be suppli-
ed with the U. s. regulation Sabre. The Cav
airy were commanded by Capt. W. H. Col
lins.
THE PROCESSION,
marched through the principal streets, and
about half past ten o'clock, arrived at
THE CAPITOL.
Here q crowd of ladies and citizens had as
sembled in.the council chamber, long before
the time announced for the exercises to COM
mence Finally, the music gave notice OF
the approaching procession, and ere long it
fled into the hail.
THE EXERCISES
then commenced by prayer by Rev. j. N. Mat
tocks, followed by the Reading Of the Decla-
ration of Independence, by VIM. Aug. Crof
fut. This time reverenced and familiar doc
ument, was listened to in breathless atten-
ton that showed how much it is venerated,
as each sentence fell with clear enunciation,
and correct emphasis from the Readers lips,
and applause followed at its close. Next
was
THE GRAFTON,
by James w. Taylor, Esq, of which we will
endeavor to give synopsis, though it fails
to do justice to the long and eloquent address
we were regaled with. He commenced by
an eulogy on the document just read, pro-
nouncing it as the charter of human freedom
the world over, for all time to come. A brief
mention was made of the Revolutionary
times and struggle that gave rise to the oc-
casion we celebrate. Our war of Indepen-
dence, said he, did not close in 1888: it con-
tinued until 1915, nor can it be said that it
was entirely finished until after the second
war with Britain. I look with the same rev.
Grafton on a soldier of that war, as do of
the revolution, because one is but continu-
alton of the other. 1t was with thrill of
pleasure, continued he, that 1 heard to day
when I came into the hall, that there was
present an old man who had witnessed the
inauguration Of Washington lin 1882 AL
low me to introduce him to you, land de-
sccnding from the stand, he took the veteran
by the hand, led him upon the platform, and
introduced him as Mr.. JOHN T. HALsrEAp
Three cheers were given for the aged vete-
ran, whose head the SHOWS of eighty win
tiers had silvered, yet was hale and firm
many standing upon the benches to get
look at the venerable representative of the
times they had met to commemorate. When
the applause ceased, Mr. T. continued y
The few expeditions sent by government
into this country, more to see whether or not
it was habitable, and the few voyages of
early explorers who have left their names
connected with this Territory, are the only
early associations connected with it, of his
torical interest. People might wonder why
we, the inhabitants of a country but yester-
day settled, should celebrate this day. But
I would tell them Of the presence around me
to-day, of persons from every point of ma
tional interest throughout our land, with
hearts swelling with patriotic associations
connected with Lexington and Bunker Hill
in the East, New Orleans in the South, Lake
Erie, Fort Meigs, and Niagara in the North
and West who are here to-day, in their new
homes in Minnesota, to celebrate a day
which reminds us of them all.
And now, what duty devolves upon us as
Americans? Not that of the tented field,
certainly? That day has gone by. Yet
there is no lack of military enthusiasm. Our
war with Mexico, though we found foeman
unworthy our steel, proves this. Set the
prodigies of valor performed by our soldiers
there, are the admiration of the world. Amer
lea will never need soldiers. Let one be asked
for, and ten will offer. But peace must be
our career henceforth. The Mississippi riv-
er, rising from its fountain In our Territory,
and flowing across the breadth of CONT
nent, is bond of Union between the Yves.
tern States on its bank. There is common
nerve of sympathy running between every
great city whose spires are reflected in its
waters, from New Orleans at its mouth, to
St. Paul at its head. No matter what SUBJ
ject might threaten to dissever the States of
this Union, no dismemberment could take
place between the States on the Mississippi
River. The West will be always loyal, al
ways true. 1 defy any combination of hos
tile foreign powers, to draw line of con-
quest across this river; it can never be done.
European powers might seek to gain
point on our Pacific shore, but twenty years
will forever put it beyond their power.
Then, the vast intermediate country will be
settled. The pioneer will have extended in
all directions; and after him will follow pop
ulation, civilization, and the wealth and pow
'er of mighty empires. Letn interest of any
section become predominant, and when the
widest dreams of our fathers have been more
than exceeded, the great principles of Amer
lean freedom will have been the examplar
for theworld. Ifever foreign empires, dynas-
ties and despotisms are to rock to their over
throw, it will be by the prevalence of such
principles. love the Union because it does
so-and I look forward to the time when
they shall prevail.
This is the destiny of the West; it will
be always the champion of freedom.
He spoke eloquently of Minnesota and
concluded his oration with an eulogy upon
her. She is, he said, the centre of the CONT
nent and destined to glorious future. I
foresee the greatness of her destiny. Her fer
tile valleys, many of whom have not yet,
though productive, and lovely as any could
wish, been settled at all, will soon be the en-
pire Of thousands Of people. Let us suppli-
cate the Power that rules over all, that the
convention about to act will lay . policy
broad, liberal and generous, so as to make
our Territory the great State it seems de-
signed to become. Here, the conquests of
peace are to be made, the mightiest of con-
quests the world has Witnessed. The con-