The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-03-28
norton Of the same Mississippi and perhaps

portion of the same mississippi and perhaps
St. Croix boundary, which forms the only
exception to the regular shape of the State
the outlines of which have been before ex
amined. From the Mississippi to the Mis-
souri,, at point between the Northern line
of Iowa and the parallel of 1915 or 4O-45.
the extreme distance cannot be less than 400
miles, The average distance in round num-
bers is about 375 miles. The width from
the Southern boundary of the Territory to
point so miles North of Saint Paul would
be $50 miles. The area, $4,000 square
miles. Exactness is not attempted IN
any of the figures given in this article, but
they will be found sufficiently accurate for
practical purposes. To sum up and place
results side by side:
NORTH AND South LINE.
Length Of State s $40 miles. Il
EAST AND WEST LINE.
Length of State, $50 miles.
Width 4" % lou
Area lxg.f $4,000 50.
1t is unnecessary to prove that, other
things being equal, an exact square would be
the perfection of shape without any refer
ence to it's contents. Then so far as the
question of proportion is concerned, the sin
gle inquiry is, which approaches most nearly
to a square, the State as proposed by Con-
gress, or the State as proposed by the
friends of an East and West division-let
the figures and the map answer. The COM
parison which has been drawn is probably
more favorable to the East and West line
than the results of the adoption of that lire
would ultimately show, because it is not
simply a matter of doubt, but almost GER
tainty that the Mississippi and not the st.
Croix would be the boundary on the East.
This statement needs no confirmation in
the mind of any person who has taken pains
to learn the sentiment of the densely peo-
pied district between the St. Croix and the
Mississippi, of the population still further
North, and of no nconsiderable or uninfu-
entail portion of the inhabitants of the Min
nesota Valley. The map will show that the
adoption Of the Mississippi as the Eastern
bounday would seriously mar the proper
tons of the East and West line State, as it
has been taken for granted for present pur-
poses. No attempt has been made in this
article to compare the resources of the two
contemplated States, or the general advan-'
tages which would result from the adoption
of one division or the other. The inquiry
has been entirely confined to the question
of shape and compactness. AT future time,
perhaps, the subject may be examined from
other points of view. The boundaries OF
the State in which he is to live cannot and
ought not to be a matter of indifference to
the citizen. 1t is subject of immediate
consequence, subject upon which final &C
ton is to be taken in few short months
Its Just determination calls for thorough
canvassing, a candid, calm and dispassionate
examination of facts. 1t cannot be merely a
question how far our particular locality is to
be from the Capital, nor how much the value
of this village or that farm is to be increas
ed. We ought to rise above all such trihing
and personal considerations, and looking
back into the past for instruction, and for
ward into the future for results, to make
such decision as will, upon the whole, give
rs the greatest State in all the elements of
true greatness and universal prosperity; such
decision as will be confirmed in the SUI
preme Court of Posterity.
JOHN NJ. BERRY.
Faribault, March II.