The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-04-18

| CeRASal o9rQm8ef thAM SecstonnsSpns
I Capital, like matter, obeys the laws Of
gravitahon. Wherever it is most strongly
attractsd, there we 'may be sur6 It viii co.
But it is necessary, to define, the limits Of
the attractive power. Our formula is predi
GATED upon condition of personal and com
,nercial freedom, such as we enjoy in this
country, and might. not be altogether true
under despotic government like that OF
Russia, though even there the rule would be
subject to but slight exception. Capital, we
have said, will 60 where it is most strongly
attracted, and in the long run it is sure to be
attracted where it can be used to the best
sdvantage-wherea active and extensive BUSH
ness operations imperatively require its pres
ence-where great natural resources await
the hand of labor to shape them to use, and
develop their highest values.
Such field for the use of capital is en-
phatically the great Northwest, where the
amount employed in active business bears so
small proportion to the business that short
" is to be. 1t will be no news to our busi-
ness men to say that money capital is now
flowing into this great and but partially de-
veloped region in steadily increasing streams.
Hundreds of new farms are being opened ev-
cry month towns are springng up as II by
magic over the broad surface OF our pralries;
cities of metropolitan proportions and uneX-
ampled growth cluster around the great lakes.
The world knows that grand future is be-
fore us, and is sending us not only its money,
but its hosts of men and women and chill
dren, who are worth infinitely more than
money to the country.
In this connection we are reminded OF the
gratifying fact that enlightened interest has
proved itself more than match for section
ahsm. Enterprising Southerners, in looking
to the grand developments of our favored re-
gion, have forgotten all about the peculiar
institution" if they ever felt an interest in
it, and thought only of judicious invest
ment of their money, and desirable homes
for themselves and their families. 1t would
| be easy to reckon up some millions OF South
ern capital invested in our city alone, and
more is coming from day to day. Neither
| have the advantages of the country through
| out the States of the Northwest been over
looked by Southern enterprise, as we have
shown on several previous occasions.
| But some facts have recently come to our
knowledge that very strongly illustrate the
! force of interest as opposed to sectionalism.
| Since the death of John G. Calhoun, the
most unfinching champion of slavery among
the public men of the South has unquestlon-
| ably been the Hon. Robert Il. Toombs. He
was the pillar of the last Southern Conven-
ton. His presence gave emphasis to the
greatest ovation given in honor of the late
/ Preston S. Brooks. In short, he has put
himself forward on all occasions as the most
| logged advocate of the extreme demands OF
the shareholders. One might therefore have
inferred that he would tolerate no Northern
| thing of interest, and good deal of surprise
| was manifested at his able and earnest advO-
| cacy of the Minnesota Land Grant Bill at
| the last session Of Congress. He took the
| lead in its discussion in the Senate, and his
! efforts materially contributed to the success
| of the measure Whence the unexpected
| milk in the cocoa nut 4? The explanation be-
comes easy when we are told, as we have,
| that he has invested money in Minnesota
lands, and has other pecuniary interests
around Lake Superior. 1t is not at all i'm
possible that Mr. Toombs may some day be-
come citizen of the Northwest, and then
! farewell to his championship of the peculiar
institution. He will then have other inter
ests more strong and peculiar, one OF winch
may be desire to represent Northwestern
freemen in Congress. Such an event does not
seem very probable, neither would it very
surprising, considering the extraordinary
changes that are now taking place in oul
| political and social relations.
! Senator Alexander H. Slidell, of louisa
ma, only second in zeal to Mr.. Toombs as /;
champion of slavery, is, we learn, also invest
/ ing capital in the Northwest, and a fact ha'
come to our knowledge showing that he is
better financier than politician. His agent
who had been travelling over this State Will
view to investment, wrote back to his prIn
opal that the country was making great pro
gress, but he thought lanlwas held altoseth
or too high, as quite as good could be obtain
ed in Missouri for mere fraction of its cost
What should he do? Mark the answer o
the pro-slavery Senator: "Buy in Illinois by
all means" This single fact upsets the whole
southern theory of the profitable character
of slavery, and demonstrates that those wht
bold it do not believe what they say.
These and other similar facts that might be
mentioned are unmistakable indications O
the omnipotence of capital over all the falla
cies Of false political economy founded up
on slave labor. They are but the "beginnne