The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-03-24
Gbe Gmi9rant Sin 9pnrnul,
CAIx OF Dakota Co.. M. II.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH "a, 1858.
Minnesota and her Defamerx.

Inc enorts put forth by parties inimical to the pros
perlty OF Minnesota, within the past year. to proven
emigrants settling here, have produced a contrary eaec
fromthat intended-they have produced discussion an
examination into the merits Of the questionable yer
object that is most desirable to our people. The calum
mes uttered!have given occasion for replies that hav
forever set them aside, and the Misrepresentation hay
been met with evidence so indisputably true, that thei
bare statement has enhanced the high character this Stat
possessed over almost all the western territory. 70
nealtn1ulness, delightful climate, richness of soil, ant
beauty OF the country. In the accomplishment of thi
work, much credit is due to the St. Paul papers, who's
perseverlng efforts have brought out much valuable IL
formation to illustrate the position and claims maintaine,
Tor TINS country as the most desirable for the emierant
Every journal has done something to meet the charge
made against the country by jealous and ignorant par
ties, and their earnestness has put to silence the mos
dangerous class OF traducers,-those in adjoining local
1tics. dangerous they were, because their articles wsr,
circulated at the East as evidence from parties in clos
proximity to the scenes they pretended to describe and
authoritatively speak. One of these articles we hat
occasion to allude to, from the McGregor 1owa) Times
which represented our Territory as being in a state o
restitution and that it dreaded the horrors that wcr
IN store for the starving settlers huddled together with
Out shelter, cut off from the world for half a year, un
der q rigorous winter. Its effect was to torture tn
feelings of every one at the East who had relatives o
friends residing here, and who could not know hoy
rldiculously absurd such statements we're. Looking a
Its effects, we pronounced it an infamous article, de
signed to lnjurc the reputation Of the country by ex
citing the horror Of crcdulous parties. In reply, tn
editor took umbrage at our charge of infamous, as be
ing grave and uncalled for, as the article was writer
without any such motive as implied by us. 1t may b.
that some milder term would have been more polite
but regarding it in its effects, and knowing how littl,
ground there was for such a statement, we characterized
1t accordingly. We presume the writer has since learned
what is here thought of the authors of such articles
and will not be likely to err so again.
But against all the charges and forebodings of sucl
parties the best and most effective answer is the presen,
aspect Of afai rs here, and the cheerful tone exhibited
IN our papers as regards the condition of our citizens
in all sections. We renew the labors of life with more
vigor, and greater faith than can be shown to exist il
any other part of the country. In nothing is there
ground for invidious remark. Every letter that goe:
hence breathes full of the inspiring feelings of the wri
tiers, and in every neighborhood in the East, these eo
1"SnS ~" - UoAAS SOOu WOIA, UUtu 10 UISpCl IalSe
impressions and awaken a lively interest in those who
are thinking Of coming West, towards Minnesota.
Other towns, like ours, we suppose, are having in
quiries sent to their citizens, relative to business oppor
TUNES, and farming facilities in their neighborhood. In
one from Cape May, it is stated that a large humble,
from that extreme point are getting ready to put them
selves in line with the marching host that are on thei,
way to the West, and the party are disposed to come t.
this quarter from reading accounts of the country.
Our belief is that the good effects of the attack,
alluded to will go on increasing, and the power to do fur.
ther mischief will be frustrated by the very prominence
given thereby to the condition and characteristics Of
Minnesota, which must ever excise a favorable influence
the better they are known.
The County Agricultural Society.
Agreeable TO the call issued by the committee ap.
pointed for the purpose, a large number of the farmers
from various sections of the County, met in this town
on the goth inst, and organized the Dakota County
Agricultural Society. 1t was truly gratifying to wit.
ness the deep interest each one present seemed to take
in the object in view, to have it not only a permanent
institution, but such as should reflect the credit of the
first agricultural County in the State, and be produc.
tive in ~elevating the noble class of laborers of which
they were the worthy represe natives.
We believe their work was we'll done; we also be.
lieve that it will be carried on to the lasting good OF
the farming community in one respect, at least, this
will eminently be the case-it will establish q better
social feeling, bringing together parties having kindred
purposes and feelings, hitherto isolated for lack of some
such bond of union among them. By it, also, thei,
selfrespect will be raised, as they witness the importan,
position they hold in the esteem of all classes and the
emulation to excel, will call out their highest powers
and afford them much qualification, while the e~xaltatiou
Of their great calling will be secured.
All this, and a great deal more may easily be accom-.
plished by every farmo Or taking hold and doing his part
and every town and precinct uniting among themselves
to strengthen the parent society. Let no one wait fol
his neighbor, but move forward in the matter immedi
ately, and urge upon your ~neighbors the same duty
and when the Fall Exhibition comes off it will be O
matter Of pride and qualification to every one to witness
the wondrous results that have followed their efforts
and not only our county, but the entire State will be
a large gamer thereby.
1t is unnecessary to point out the mode to pursue t.
carry out tho intended object; every class will best un
derstand their duty when once they feel the true i'm
portance of the movement so happily inaugurated al
this time. We call especial attention to the proceedings
at the first Annual Meeting, and bear in mind the re-
ference to the series Of meetings to be held. that they
may be made creditable to each community.
L. N. Countryman, Esq, it will be seen, has been
appointed to take charge Of the column in our paper We
have appropriated to the use Of the society. He will
prove an efficient aid in this department but, at the
same time, he must have the help of every member to
supply him with their useful hints and suggestions to
enable him to give it the interest it should have.
Several journals of our State have been calling at
%tention, lately, to the method pursued by the govern
ment relative to the publication of the laws. As nov
pursued it is a mere formality, whereas the design was
to make the people acquainted with them that they
might observe and obey them from and after thei1
passage and publication How can laws be ~respectes
until they are understood ? And what judges and jurie.
III