The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-01-22

One-tenth part of those in the North.
western States who are at this time intend.
ing next season to undertake the trir
across the northern plains to Idaho, would
make up force which might prove sufii-
clent, under skillful leader, to cope with
all the obstacles in their way, including the
hostility of the Sioux and Grow Indians.
There is an increasing gold-fever among
the people, which will, under favorable
circumstances, add thousands to the popu-
lation OF the Eastern Slope in Idaho, within
the year just begun. And while it is true
that hundreds of these will go from the
depleted ranks of the laboring classes of
Minnesota, we may not unreasonably ex-
pect that, in time to come, their more
productive industry in the farther West
will aid us in establishing profitable trade
and commerce over the northern route be-
tween our State and the mountains.
In consideration of the fact that SO many
are disposed to go to the gold fields, and
also to go by that route, the opening of
which promises great benefits to our State
and the whole Northwest, rather than dis
courage men from going by leaving OBJ
stacles in their way, it would be doing
good service to the State for every inhuen-
entail man in it to aid, in such way she
can, in the opening of Capt. FIsK's pro-
posed new route to the mines It is pro-
ject of the greatest Importance to Mime
sofa, because it proposes to establish tie
shortest and most direct communication
between the commercial East and the far
West, through our State; and because it
will make our cities and towns the gate
ways and marts of that profitable overland
trade which has carried the tide of popu-
lation, with all the comforts of civilization
and the prosperity of flourishing cities, to
the borders of the great desert of the south
ern plains.
Fortunately, this route proposed cor
responds SO nearly with the seemingly
most practicable base of military opera
tions against the hostile Indians-not only
the Sioux, who desolated the frontier homes
of Minnesota, but also the Grows, whose
savage murders of last summer should re-
ceive prompt punishment-thati it is prob
able the commercial and. the military in
terest may be united IN one plan of action,
with mutual benefit therefrom. We have
heretofore stated that Capt. Fisk wishes,
if the Government shall again place him
in charge Of an emigrant party, to conduct
that party, and at the same time open a
practicable summer and winter route, by
as nearly direct a lineas circumstances will
permit, starting from Fort Abercrombie or
Fort Ridgley. We could not find room in
one paper to compile the evidence and in
formation concerning the country to be
traversed, all showing that this project of
Capt. FIsK's is entirely practical, and not
at all founded upon theory or speculation.
1t is sufficient that it will give the shortest
route to Idaho, and to all the mining eoun-
try of the west slope; that the country to
be journeyed over, though partly unex-
plored, is known to abound in grassy val
leys and plains, with pure running water
and wood in plenty and that there are no
mountains to cross, and but two rivers
which must be ferried,- while the hostility
of the Indian tribes is the only real OBJ
stacle in the way.
To those who contemplate going to the
Rocky Mountains next summer, we may
add that the safety of any northern route,
as we'll as the opening of the proposed
direct route, seems now to depend upon
double contingency: First, that the Gov
eminent shall continue its aid in facilitat-
ing emigration to the mining country, and
again detail Capt. FISK as its agent in that
matter for Minnesota; and second, that
the military authorities shall adopt and
vigorously carry out plan of operations
which will not only defend the borders,
but will also seize and hold commanding
points, from whence terms of peace may
be dictated and enforced upon the hunt
ing. grounds and at the homes Of the hos
tile Indians.