The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-05-16
what Ia Our Manifest Dcstinys

what IL Our Manifest Dcstinys
To the Editors Of tie Mnmesotiam
Yesterday promised to elaborate some
what on what conceive to be our best in
terest, respecting the disposition of the R.
R. Grant-at least SO far as the northern d.
vison is concerned.
Now, the way l look upon the matter is
this that it is both our province and our
duty to provide some means, by connection
with some other road or roads, to reach
Chicago by the shortest, and most feasible
route. Chicago is our half way house" to
the Atlantic cities-it is the goal of our
"manifest Destiny" SO far as our intercom-
munication with the East is concerned
Fix it any way we will, taking the seasons
together, and We must pass through Chicago,
and we must not allow our selfishness to
overlook this important point. Indeed, it is
the very height of selfishness to secure it by
the most ready means.
Let US take look at the chart-at the
map of our country. Near the head of Lake
Michigan, lies Chicago, the great centre of
the emphatically Great North West."-
This is one point. Then we see point at or
near Pembina on the Red River of the
North. Now, place the map in proper po-
sition, and draw thread across its face,
from one of these points to the other, you
will find that it will line almost to dot,
with St. Paul, Prescott, Portage City Madi-
son, the capital Of Wisconsin, and one of
the most lovely places in the States, and the
city of GAINESVILLE, to say nothing of numer-
GUS other intermediate towns. This, then, is
our most natural, because most direct route
to Chicago. By this route we can reach that
city by just about 300 miles travel. I think
that is precisely the distance from st. Paul ;
and l know of no other route likely to be
established by Railroad, short of about 400
miles. This, then, is a grand desideratum that
will bear investigation. The question is the
means to be employed to secure 20 us an un-
interrupted connection through. know no
better way to secure its advantages than to
make some business arrangement with the
company or companies possessing the "right
away" in Wisconsin, if such can be done
upon fair and equitable terms-and it seems
to me that now is the time to secure the most
favorable bargain.
Another important consideration to the
citizens of St. Paul and Northwesterly of
this point, is the fact that drawbridge can
be constructed across the st. Croix River
or Lake, somewhere between Prescott and
Hudson, without seriously interrupting the
general navigation, and as this is the only
navigable stream on the line between this
point ard Chicago, we can secure an unin-
terrupted and continuous line of rail to that
important point, both winter and summer,
without in the least obstructing the naviga-
( ton of the Mississippi. I only introduce
this to illustrate, not to convince, for take
it these facts have long since been thorough
ly canvassed and understood.
Now, Mr.. Editor, allow me to say that
you Inexperienced my remarks yesterday
on one material point, which allude to for
the purpose of correction, for think in all
great improvements people should under
stand each other. You seem to think dis
credited the ability of Minnesota men to ope-
rate in Wall street, and to generally finan-
cier for the work. If my remarks will bear
any such construction, 1 must certainly have
been arguing against my own convictions,
for since my sojourn in the Territory, I have
had ample evidence to the contrary. The
Minnesota financiers have souls, whereas I
was speaking of corporation, which in law
is supposed to have /" no SOUL" There are,
no doubt, hundreds of men in Minnesota
who are amply qualified to conduct nego-
citation with the Bulls and Bears of Wall
street, but they are not known as a COM
pany, and as such have not established a
"reputation among the money kings.
Wall street brokers may have all confidence
in men, as men of business andintegrity, and
yet withhold their funds from them under a
corporate name until they learn the business
conduct of the company.
This is the point which would enforce
that, if all other things being satisfactory,
an old esta lished company could aid nego-
Citations and facilitate the work much more
rapid than an entirely new company.
This was the main reason why Wisconsin
gave her grant to the Milwaukee, Chicago,
St. Paul & Fond du Lac Companies, and I
venture to say, from what know of the
matter, those companies could never have
secured the grant on any other account. The
citizens and Legislature were anxious to
place the grant where its benefits would ma
ture in the shortest possible time!
Now, in all this question of political
economy arises-that inasmuch as Minneso-
tians are are compelled to reach their market
over the territory of other States, and by
means of their railroads, will it or will it
not, be policy to make some equitable bust
ness arrangements with them, when we can
claim as a right what might otherwise be
granted as favor at will" Yours, &C.,
ST. PAUL.