The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-11-25
Correspondence of Pioneer and Democrat.


NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 1859.
Some three years ago, the writer was talk.
ing with a citizen of st. Paul on its pros
poets. As may we'll be imagined be was
extremely eloquent on its rapid growth, its
substantial improvements, its position as
great distributing point, the fertility of the
tributary lands, and the high prices that the
agricultural products would command. In
great part Of what was said very hearth
ly concurred, but observed that the rapid
growth was<o certain extent facticious.
How so? was the reply.
In this way. 1t is evident that these i'm
provenents are not with good earnings, but
mainly by foreign capital attracted by a
high rate of interest.
Your place like all other newly settled
points, expend more than you can make, and
you very properly call upon eastern friends
to aid you which they will always very
eheerfnlly do, so long as you pay them
promptly, higher rates than they can attain
elsewhere. You can now pay those rates
out Of the profits that you are deriving from
the emigration that is now flowing through
your country.
But when that emigration ceases or even
diminishes, what then will be your position?
We shall then be able to export, was the re.
ply. How?
This was certainly little of poser, but
the reply came, however, without much hest.
tation.
Why down the river of course. What
will it cost to send bushel of grain to st.
Louis, to New Orleans, or to New York,
across Illinois and via Chicago?
He had never figured on that. I then
said. 1t is true you have not only posi-
ton but the position of this section, but en-
igration while it may aid you, will never
make you large city. Your location is good
therefore. not because it will be central
point for emigrants and their supplies, but
because it will be the point from which your
surplus will be sent to the seaboard. You
can send grain to New York cheaper than
it can be done at Dubuque, and instead Of
sending grain doavn the river, it will come up
the river to be shipped at good point.
I do not clearly understand was the re-
spouse.
Are you not nearer to Lake Superior
than Dubuque is to Lake Michigan? And
will you not then both be at about the same
distance from New York?
Dubuque is two hundred and twenty miles
by railroad to Chicago, and you are one
hundred and forty miles from Superior. II
you then had railroad to Superior, a
bushel of grain would command the same
price with you as it would at Dubuque OF
St. Louis.
Do not your people see that the day is
fast approaching when you are to be an ex-
porting State, and then where will stand
St. Paul?
Well, the fact is, replied my friend, we
are going ahead fast enough, and are not
thinking of much else just now, excepting
town lots, which are very profitable.
l have given you pretty faithful record
of the conversation, and while many will
probably now acknowledge to some extent
the business of my views, yet doubt whether
the vast Importance of railroad to Lake
Superior is appreciated fully.
know that now is not the time to inau-
gurate new railroad, and yet it is the time
to have your attention fixed and your ener-
gies directed in the proper direction, so that
when 81 that good time" shall have some
symptoms of arriving, you will know to
what to direct your energies.
How much would be added to the wealth
of St. Paul to-day had you railroad to
Lake Superior, you can easily estimate.
But it is not there; so much the worse.
The sooner it is there, so much the better.
You are recuperative people, and when
you begin to emerge, think of nothing else,
talk of nothing else, work for nothing else.
Your other railroads are Injuries; this one
a necessity. Providence helps those who
help themselves. X.