The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-03

will demonstrate, to be the solution OF the
great question OF inter oceanic communica-
ton on the continent OF North America.
Indian TTaaing ard indisn Traders.
There are some slight symptoms obserya-
bic in the columns Of the 1'mn. that its
editor il affected with u mild type Of the
moccasiu and Indian trading fever We
can only account for il by the fact that, in
his headlong race for the organshp Of the
Republican party. he 6nds il necessary to
ieign Sigh, attack OF DR.. FosrERs mono
mania, in order to concllate or gain over
certain OF the Blacks, by holding up all
those engaged in the Indian trade--who for
the mos. part are Democra,s--as swindlcrs
in their business operations, and knaves and
tricksters in politics. The injustice to some
Of the most respectable. talented snd intluen.
tinl men Of tho State. implied and intended
In this continual and uniounded babblipg Is
o subject Of just complaint.
The Indian traders OF Minnesota, az q
class, are educated and cultivated gentlemen,
who were attracted to the Northwest more
by love OF adventure than love Of gain.
That they have welded large influence in
our territorial politics, and arc still recog.
nized by the people "a worthy of being en-.
trusted with the management OF public AZ
fairs, is due, not to the fact that they sold
Mackenaw blankets, tea, sugar, aud flour,
to naked and hungry Sioux and Chippewas,
but because they were the first settlers Of
the State,-the pioneers Of civilization and
commercial enterprise, and as such, OBJ
tanned by perseverance,. industry and bust
ness foresight, not only thorough knowl.
edge OF the resources Of Minnesota, and ex-
,ensive pccuniary interests in Il, but an al
most universal acquaintance with the PEG.
pie who came after them, and who very M.
turally looked TO their predecessors for in
formation, advice AMI often for assistance.
pecuniary aud otherwise. This is the secre,
of the influence of the Indian traders OF Min
ncsota.
Ia the early history OF the State before the
advent Of specimen and ol'ic, seekers, the In
dian traders were the very back bone OF Min.
ncsota. They took the lead in every project
for its settlement and advancement, and TO
their energy the people Of the State are. in
u great measure, indebted not only Tor its
organization as n Territory, but for its pros
pcrity aud rapid progress during the frs,
five years Of its existence, They exercised
a controlling influence in our local legisla
ton and government, but it is yet to be
shown, that they were influenced by other
motives than desire for the welfare Of Min,
nesota
IA business men, these much abused
traders have been liberal and enterprising
and many points in the State, and 81
Paul among them, are indebted to then
intelligent foresight tor the position the,
have achieved in population and wealth
The msrc mention Of III. names %
! such men "a Res, SimRy. krrsoS. BAN
LEV, Bsows, FoRBrs, M'Lgop, CuLvEH
SrsEiE. and many others, will recall Il
thousands Of Minnesotiaps u series OF long.
continued and successful labors to promot,
the highest prosperity Of the State and it
people.
That the Indian traders arr mostly intn
entail Democrats. is the so,e reason why
they have acquired the cnmity Of ,h'
Blacks The people OF Minnesota do No
share this prejudice, however. rs every elcc
ton since lSlg demonstrates. All w. asi
Tor the class, is tia, they shall BE- treated "a
other men. and judged by their devotion :,
the State, and no, by the character OF thri
mercantile pursuits. The Democracy, Il
placing them in public positions look alon
to their political fidelity, fitness and Ill.,
to faithfully serve the public. aud the oPpt
,ition. in critcsiug their Official acts shoub
be r,s ricted TO these legitimate topics.