The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-02-20
Reported for the Minnesotian.
vsst,na to Encourage Immigration.


ence met in the Hall of the House of Rep
resentatives at the Capitol, in St. Paul, on
Saturday evening, the 18th of February,
inst, and was organized by the appointment
of Judge AARON GooDRIcu as Chairman,
and E. WHlrEFIELD as Secretary.
Dr. FOSTER stated the object Of the meet
ing to be, first, to listen to lecture by
lGNArIus DoNNELLY, Esq, on the best means
of Encouraging Immigration into Minnesota,
and, second, the expression OF an OPINION oy
the meeting on the subject
The Chairman then introduced MIR. DON
NELLY to the meeting, who delivered Lee
ture upon the subject of Immigration.
After some further remarks by DIR. FOSTER,
Col. G. HEWITT, and the Chairman, the fol-
lowing resolutions were introduced and
passed:
Resolred That in the opinion OF TINS meeting, the'
ought to adopt efficient measures TO encour-
age Immigration to Minnesota the ensuing season.
Resolred That a Commit tee of three, be appointed
to take charge this matter and to bring this subject
personally TO the attention of the members Of the LegiS-
a,nre accommodated with the suggestions contained in
the lecture delivered This evening by lgnatius Donney
Esq.
The Chairman appointed Col. G. HEWITT,
L. MARVIN and j. w. BASS, Committee, I'M
der the second resolution. On motion, ad-
journed
AARON GOODRICH,
Chairman.
f. WHITEHEAD, Secretary.
CORRESPONDENCE
The Committee in charge of the subject of
Immigration, immediately the same evening,
addressed the following letter 10 Mr.. DOM
ELY {:
ST. PAUL, Feb. Ii, 1855.
1GNArIUs DoNNELLY, EsQ.-Dear Sir:-The under
signed, in discharge of the duties assigned them by the
meeting held in the Capitol this evening" respectfully
quest copy for publication of the address you dev-
cred on the occasion.
We believe it the duty of our citizens to set the
country such facts regarding soil, climate, &C., as
will contradict the many false statements which have
been extensively published by those interested in d.
verting the tide of emigration from Minnesota. To
this end think the publication of your address admir-
ably adapted. Respectfully,
GIRART HEWITT
L. MARVIN,
J. W. BASS,
Committee.
TO which communication Mr.. DoNNELLY
made reply as follows
ST. PAUL, Feb. 10, 1858.
Messrs. GIRART HEWITT L. MARVIN AND j. W. BASS, CON-
MITTEE, &c.-Genaemen Il have received your po
lite communication of this date requesting for publica
ton, copy of my address delivered this evening in the
-c.t
ing emigration.
take great pleasure in complying with your request
and sincerely hope that my production may be of some
service in advancing the interests of Minnesota in the
matters referred to in it.
1 am, very respectfully, yours,
IGNATIUs DONNELLY.
LECTURE OF MR.. DONNELLY ON ENCOURAGING
IMMIGRATION.
FELLOW CITIZENS Under 4 republican
form of government what is every bodys bus
mess is nobody's business, and hence matters
of the highest moment often lose themselves
in mere discussion, through the want of some
one to take hold and make them his own
In MINOR affairs this state of things is eXcus-
able, but where circumstances arise that con-
Germ nearly the direct welfare of the commu-
nifty, it is the part of every well-meaning cit
izen to contribute his quota of thought and
action to its assistance.
This rlust be my excuse for appearing be-
fore you this evening.
There is no denying the fact that we are
all looking earnestly and hopefully to the
coming spring emigration-tO a new infiOod-
ing of that tide of life which has already re-
deemed us from the wilderness. And as
general thing we all anticipate such tide
There is a universal belief throughout the
Territory that we will receive next spring a
larger immigration than has ever yet entered
Minnesota in any one year. This may be so;
but there are certain signs in the horizon
which, to some eyes, seem to betoken other
wise. There is no questioning the fact that
the utter disrupture of commercial ties and
public confidence which has occurred in the
East, and the fearful train of individual dis
aster consequent upon it, will drive an i'm
mense number of Eastern people Westward
during the coming spring. Thisis a conclusion
justified by the experience of former panics
and by the information daily received from
the older parts of the country. But this
point granted, argues nothing for Minnesota.
The emigration may be of degree unpar-
allied in the history of the United States. and
yet it may be directed into such channels as
will be of no advantage whatever to the
people Of this Territory. L think many of
my hearers will agree with me when say
that it is evident there is row going on
through the columns of Eastern newspapers,
a deep,lad and systematic scheme to mis-
represent and injure our Territory. We can
hardly pick up an Eastern journal without
coming upon some horrible story of destitu-
ton and suffering in Minnesota some &C.
count of men, women and children frozen by
the dozen some Indian outrage, or some in
credible therm ometrical statistics showing a
degree of cold under which an Esquimaux
would succumb. These things would be
amusing, could We but lose sight of their in
furious effects on our most important inter-
ests; they would even be pardonable were it
possible to ascribc them to ignorance on the
part of those propagating them. We are
forced, however, to contrary conclusion
They are too persistent and too continuous
to be accidental They have no tang iblc
source within the Territory, nor any feast
even analogous on which to find basis
Moreover, the journals perpetrating them re-
fuse to publish the corrections and contradic-
tions afterwards set forth in our own press.
Do my hearers doubt that these causes
have already produced serious detrimental
results Twill quote an extract from a let
ter lately addressed by S. NJ. Cook, of Gran
by Mass, to Ex-Gov. Alex. Ramsey. After
some preparatory remarks, he goes on to
say ::
Since my return to Mass, (from Minnesota) have
become pretty thoroughly convinced that large emf.
gra>ion will push Westward another spring. and as fully
convinced that Minnesota will not receive her due
portion thereof, unless vigorous effort is made to
countcract some Of tie that just at this time,
operating against her. hags already encountered the
agents of the Illinois Central r. K. Co. who are now
trayersng the Eastern States for the purpose Of getting
settlers for their lands, and, you well aware
Kansas has her recruiting officers all through the East
Now under these circumstances, does not behoove
friends of Minnesota to enter the field to assert her
claims?
If we need testimony TO corroborate Mr..