The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-02-18

walton. VIxpxx.
Irish Contingent 60 che Population of
sme New states 0r the North-SVess.
To the Edllof. of Tho Pioneer and Democrat
Tho present session Of our Legislature il
regarded as one Of the most important that
has heretofore, or shall h,rcaftcr convene
from the fact that many matters concerning
tho advancement and prosperity of our State
arc TO be considered, among which notice
that phianihropic measure, the Homestead
bill, which, II | mistake not, will become tho
law OF the State. also notice bill for
the encouragement Of emigration, which IN
the basis Of the growth, advancement and
prosperity Of the country. will give u
lew Illustrations Of the contingent from the
Gem Of the Sca" 10 our population, leav.
ing others TO account for themselves.
The seven States carved out II tho north
western ludian territories since the begin.
ming OF this country, have been the iavoritc
goals of all recent emigration. The iacili
ties Of transit offered by the canals and
railroads leading from the old Atlantic
States westward, and the adaptabili,y Of
tho West for agriculture, attracted and
made easy the progress Of the Celtic multi
tudc.
II, In our own age, this young nation has
been able 10 export its superiuous bread
stuilb 10 the other side Of the Atlantic, one
Of the chief causes Is 10 be found in the
constant supply Of cheap Irish labor, which
for fifty years, has been poured along the
avenues Of the West. II, moreover, Ohio,
Michigan, Indiana, Illinois. Wisconsin. Iowa
and Minnesota, have done much 10 increase
the wealth and glory Of the Union, u large
share Of the historical honor IL due 10 Irish
fugitives from British oppression, and their
more fortunate sons, born ~ freemcn.
A glance nj tho growth Of the general
population, since tho reclamation Of tho north
VEST, will enable ~ 10 estimate in ono way;
il Importance 10 the Union. In 1900, The
Union countei q. 5.3O5, ,G25 souls In 1877
7239,s4 in 1920. 9.G5t,60G; in 1880.
I2,s6s.020; in lS40, l7,OG9,l5J; In 1850,
about 23,25OOOO. Not only has the IN.
crease been mainly IN the northw west, but
the abundant produce ol that fertile region
has fed and distcDdel even tho older States.
For every emigrant who comes from the
cast IN spring, an Increase Of produce, or ita
price. goes back IN harvest. This army Of
labor makes AN annual campaign, and gives
u good account OF it,s,lf in every engage.
inont with the wilderness, and the desolation
Of ancient barrenDew. The host TINT un.
lurleJ iis STANDARD nj liuDkers liill, and
took the British coIors down at Yorktown,
is scarcely more entitled 10 b. called the
army Of the liberation, than this cmigranl
multitude, who, armed with tho implements
of labor, smito the forest from the morning
until the evening, and plant. IN advance OF
the ages 10 come the starry banner of the
nation against tho frontier skies Who con.
siiiute this host = In every case il has BEEN
nearly half Irish.
Until 1919. there was. unfortunately, no
customs record of tInigrant arrivals until
the Atlantic States. within ten years back,
appointed local commissioners oi emigration,
We had no exact returns of tho glasses and
origin u those who did arrive.
But the names NJ men and places, the
number oi Catholic churches erected in, and
thu Irish feelings represented by. tho public
ms,n u the west, enable ms 10 estimate tlie
share Of that people 10 the population Of the
several new States Of this quarter
10 the United States Senate, Michigan
las been represented by Generals Cmss and
Fitzgerald, both Of Irish origin Ohio wiz
long represented by Mr.. Allen, man Of real
ability, and not only by blood. but by sym.
pathy, allied To tbs iatbnlsDd VI Burke aod
OC0nncll. Igliana has sent 10 the naine
assembly, Edward A. flanagan, sometime
minister u Berlin and Illinois was proud
Of her adopted son. ~ b1 representative,
Gen Shields, who now represents Minnesota.
The popular branch of Congress has been
also largely recruited by men u Irish ps-
renisge or birth, from the same region. In
the TnIrty-5eooDd Congress there were forty
such representatives.
OF the seven States, Illinois has benn ds
tinguished for the number of IL irish public
servants. Not only In the National Coun-
ciIs, but 10 the not Iess important duties 0f
organizing the finances zad establishing the
credit oi Illinois, sofns Of our emigrnnts
have pcrformod important services " their
adopted State.
kIcon.in. admitted 10 lS4S. has, nj this
prcsnt writing, numerous and influential
Irish population Many Of iu new towns
are aims. exclusively occupied and govern
cJ by that class Of citizcns The town Of
BenL'n " Of this number. being founded by
Mr.. ID. Murphy. native of Wexford, who
sitaward. represented tLe county In the
state SehAte. In Milwaukee, the lrish cit
'ses Animal Report of Commissioners oi