The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-03-25
Old settlers Assoetation

A gentleman who CHANGED 10 h. present,
ut the first meeting Of this Association held
at the Hall Of the Historical Society of
Minnesota on Saturday, February 18th,
1858, has furnished us the following sketch
Of Homc of the remarks made on hat occa
sion.
The objects OF the Association are iraught
with deep concern 10 the Stats nnd the his
torian. Time will continue to augmen, this
interest.
After the reading Of the charter by the
Secretary, A. L. LARrEsrgrR, Esq. The
President, Gov. SIBLKr. requested Judge
GooDRrci 10 address the meeting and state
it, objects. Mr. GooDRIcm declined for the
reason that In his opinion Gov. SiuLEY was
much better qualified TO do justice tn the
occasion; that be had resided longer in Min
nzota--and had acted more prominent part
in It's history thnt his name WIS peculiarly
associated with that Of Minnesota both ~
Territory and State that he had been
the first 10 ask the nation TO recognize our
claim a. Territory that be had been our
first Delegate IN Congress For thee rea
son he desired Gov SIrLgy TO address the
meeting.
Whercupon Mr.. 5IpLry said,
GgsriKxgs am most happy 10 NEE,
70 many Of my old friends anil acquaintance
at this first aIScmblage Of the Old Settlers
Association Our charter has well defined
ia objects, which ARE few in number, but OF
interes, and importance b. 10 tl,osc who
shall come AFTER IA. II is in the power Of
each Of IL members to gather materials OF
fact and incident, Of which he IL personally
cognizant, connected with his own career,
or with that Of the old uoyagepa pioneers
II Minnesota, which can I've obtained from
no other source ] trust we shall MI he
willing u devote portion OF our time to
this object. let us form record, which
shall bc invaluable 10 the future hIsto.
rian Of the political organization of which
W. ARE now a component part. With this
view, beg that each Of you will commit 10
paper and present At the sui,scquen, mct
ings Of this society, all such information NJ
you may poa-ess, however trivial and unim
portant the details may now APPEAR % be-
Tor such minute variations are really ii far
more intrinsic value 10 illustrate the state OF
society in Minnesota during ia early period
than any mesg'r record Of the prominent
events which have occurred during the last
tn years
We came here many years ago. We have
shared In tolls. privations, and dangers from
which ibos who have arrived among Us nj
later day, were happily exempt. We have
seen Minnesota in all the phases Of her cxis-
tencs-wben her prairies and ipr forests
were in posse~i0n u the red and the
whites were few In numbers, up 10 the pre-
ant time. when she il about 10 enter the
Union Of Confedersted States. Our Asso
citation will CEASE u exit, when we, who
date our advent previous - the LIT Of Jan.
uary 1850, shall have passed away. From
the nature Of the case W. can have no sue
ce~sors. Death has entered our ranks since
our charter was passsd, few months since,
and taken one Of our. incorJoratDrs, and
we are reminded thereby, that due diligence
must b. u.pi 70 carry out ths particular de-
sign We have ia view, "fr tie night concth
In which no man can work" For myself I
will cborfulIy contribute Of facts connected
with tbe history Of Minnesota, since have
bsn resident within its borders, 10 the
extent Of my Information, and render what
Other aid ] can 10 make this Association
useful ~ well ~ interesting