The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-01-13

against snch policy, for some time at least
Sir. You can well appreciate the hardships
and privations OF pioneer life. The east.
ern resident or capitalist bred on the lap Of
luxury and incidence cannot be expected to
sympathise with us, emerging, as We are,
slowly, but, lct us hope, surely, from a
financial prosiration the MUD naturally
turns toward some object, some means,
wherewth TO rcplenish aud recupera,e our
almost exhausted energies aud means;
common sense comes 20 the rescue, and be.
fore his minds cye--his every day thoughts
the word Emigration " stands forth In
living characters, melting him on to new
vigor, life and hope. Sir, 10 this new country
land IL our staple emigration our wealth.
Divert the stream Of emigration from us
and our prospects are indeed gloomy--~too
much 80 10 dwell upon but ] cannot bo-
llove that when the true sentiment of the
people becomes known the President will
consummaie policy so suicidal 10 our best
and dearest interests, without, any material
benefit accruing 10 the National Treasury
aud certainly II any reasons could 10 adj.
duced for bringing the public lands into
market at this time, II would be tho ex.
haus,ed condition OF the National Treasury.
| Now. cir, contend that the small amount.
II any, that would find its way into tho
Treasury would he insignificant, indeed
compared with the injury Inflicted on
our State. II is well known that the
policy Of the General Government
Is not to make profit on the gov.
crnment lnnds, but to sell them at the
lowest possible price. to encourage actual
settlement, aud when you consider the cost
ftho purchase ai these lands from Indians,
the expenses necessarily incurred IN doing
SO, the cost Of public surveys, and land
Office expenses, Il will b. found that there
Ia very little profit derived by the general
government ~ M to make IL any consider.
able source Of revenue.
Again, Mr.. Chairman when We consider
the large amount oi Land Warrants now
held by capitalists II will bc reasonable 10
suppose that Minnesota with her natural
advantages, will come In for her share OF
tho location Of them Again, sir. contend
that even our bankers. brokers' and railroad
companies are vitality interested. The two
former professions may possibly benefit by
the public lands coming into market but
even their prosperity would be brief. But
our railroad companies without emigration,
are TO nae a vulgar expression, "a dead
cock in the pit" The new theory advanced
by some that 10 run u railroad into the
wilderness. that society will follow, ia too
dangerous for capitalists 10 try. Past On
pcricncc has proved that those railroad
companies have paid the best where they
have been constructed through populous
regions aud their terpiui being at great
commercial points. Such is the design and
intention Of our railroad companies and II
possibly their attention can be directed
10 this subject which in NIL human pro-
liability IL will. their interest alone will bc
n powerful auxiliary IN accomplishing the
desired end IN the interior have found
recently u large humber Of settlers Oh tho
unoilsfed lands, They are improving their
lands and struggling get surplus OF pro
duce to prove up and pay for their farms
Scarcely ono that have conversd with but
was under the impression that they would
not be called upon 10 pay for their land 10
less than four or five years. And when IN
formed Of the reported intention Of the gov.
crnmen, to bring tho lands into market, II
foll on them like tbundcrbolt, II will be
imlpssibl" for them 10 pay for their lands
Aud the inevitable consequence will be, their
farms will ultimately fall into the hands Of
the non producing speculatm. Any one ac-
| quninted with pioneer lie, well knows
that IL Ia M much ~ any man can do TO get
along with bis clearing. fencing, breaking.
provisions for his family, and pay the ordi-
nary state, county and town tax for the first
three Year, aud 10 bis Obliged To borrow
money to pay for his land, at the usual
Minnesota rates of interest, z and . per
cent per month. with five per cent. per
month after maturity would be tsntamount
to giving away his land and improvements,
Far better TO abandon II, than vase bis
energies and time for the benefit Of those
who are better able to help themselves.
The meeting wss then addressed by s,ve-
raj gentlemen, after which the following
resolutions were unanimously adopted
wHgHrAs Reports are circulated that per
sons interested, are endeayoriBg 10 induce the
President to bring the public lands 81 our State
into market At once. such policy tending only
10 the benefit ~ q few absentee spectators,
and the utter ruin VI large portion Of on best
citizens. without IN any great degree fepleniah
Ing the public treasury, therefore be II
Hssoirsd, That the bringing the public lands
81 the State isto market al this time, would IN
hict the greatest injury on our state, and pros.
usts the energies and resources of the actual
settlers and Industrial community, and prevent
the flow Of emigration into OUT siais.
RssoIrsd. That an appeal Ice made 10 tho
press throughout the State, To pubish tbess
proceedings, and earnestly invite the co opera
lion Of every citizen issofsble ~ this move.
msU,, and In order 10 ascertain the true sehti
ment " the people on q question go vital 10
their Interests, be II further
Kssoirsd. That we recommend the formation
~ Committees In every town and county
throughout the ftate, for the purpose u OBJ
tanning signatures 20 petition to the President
~ the United states, praying that the public
lands IN this r,a,s DO withheld from public sale
for two years, and the Hon. James s'arksyn
respectfully requested TO act ss state CORES
poBdng Secretary, who will answer any en-
curry that may be addressed him ut ~. Paul,
and TO whom petitions should be sent ~ early
az possible, 10 be by him forwarded 10 our Sen.
ators and Representatives Ia Congress for pre-
,entAtion TO the President, and our delegation
l l.. sI. IN. Ill