The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-03-18

sion Is, although we speak with less conf
dence than In the other Instances, tina, the
companies have provided for in,cres, rcgu.
larry. There certainly has been no taxation
for such purpose, although we think tina,
the Missouri Legislature, during the recent
financial crisis, issued some additional bonds
to relieve the companies, ON account of
single interest payment but such an cx-
ception, il il occurred, is one which illus
trates and supports the general fact Of the
complete immunity of the States above emu
merated, from any taxation on account If
their loans OF State credit, A late CORES
pendent of the PloNxsR was ~ confident in
this respect as 10 assert, and challenge con
tradiction,tha not one instance can be found,
although more than 100000. 900 OF State
bonds have been loaned to railroad GONNA,
MES in the United States and Canada, wherr
the people authorizing these loans have
been required TO pay single dollar.
We have thus closed an enumeration,
which will be recognized as Possessing IA
national interest. Minnesota, in taking the
attitude now proposed TO the people for their
approval, simply cooperaies with Canada
in our own latitude, and the States below
the Ohio, in equaizing the railroad in,cres.
of the continent. How often have We wit
messed in noighborhoods and larger local.
ties, similar concurrence of cxtrrntes ,u-
balance centre. What on n smaller scale
might be regarded as sectional, here rises to
the dignity and forecast Of statesmanship-
The issue now to be decided by this com.
munlty, will tfs,, not only the quality of in
dividuals, but whether Minnesota, ~ a COM
mani'y, Is capable of selling a great oppor-
tunity. Adopt this loan measure. aud the
capitalists OF the world will be aroused To
the inevitable future of the Northwest Re
icct it, and Minnesota sinks into secondary
position in the struggle for rank upon the
Western bank Of the Mississippi
We repeat our words" the struggle for
controlling position west Of the Missssip
pL' The Pacific Railroad question IL in
VOWED in the issue of that struggle; and who
can now oyer-estimatc the value of one
years railroad progress from the western
bank Of the Mississippi River. Let us look
at Iowa and Missouri, which are TO be our
immediate rivals. HusT's Noc,ants Nor
og,ne for March, quotes from the Amsr,can
Rdtrood Annuai, that on the It Of Janu-
AIRY lat, Iowa had 2GO miles of railroad m
operation Missouri 81 miles Even in
these times, the cities and railroad compa-
MES interested in centralizng the railroad
system Of the continent, have secured the nc.
gotiati0n OF the bonds OF the Missssippi
Railroad Company from Rock Island 10
Council Bluffs in sufficient amount TO con
s,ruct the line; while Missouri, backed by
powerful st Louis, hopes TO connect with
aDsas 10y two routes, at no distant day
Let Minnesota summon the energy which
her State organization now enables her TO
put forth, and we shall have no apprehension
OF losing the prestige Of our noble geograpl-
zeal position. We aIlude 10 the States i'm.
mediately below us in no invidous spirit
by no means. We honor them for their he
roIc cxertions TO commend their respective
routes 81 the Platte and Kansas valleys, 10
the public favor, IA the most eligible high.
ways to the Pacific, and as presenting the
greatest attractions TO emigran,s. On the
other hand, marty two-thirds Of the IIegisla-
ture feel warranted by the exigcpcics Of the
times, and the advantages Of our position, in
proposing a measure which will instantly
place Minnesota in the foremost rank Of the
Mississippi and Lake Sta,es--ior hers are
the great advantages Of each connection.
With the impulse communicated by the loan
Of State credit, who doubts the ability Of
our Senators and Representatives, acting
conveniently with the extreme north, 10 OBJ
tain fair and equal recognition I've ask no
more Of Pacific route near the interna,
tlonaI boundary! An Affirmative vote on
the 18th Of April it cannot b. Otherwise
will not only stimulate every department, Of
business in our midst-it will not only secure
vigorous railroad construction, with no hnz-
ard Of los or taxation--but II will involve
even more important consequences. !, will
yDdicate the indomitable Tirit hitherto 20
generally attributed to the people Of Mime
sofa; and when our rank in the Union ia
technically declared, no State will 70 deserve
and Command spcoesfal career, ~ this, our
own creation, ut the Sources Of the Mississip-
p aud the ST. Lawrence.