The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-07-14
HON. Taollls 4 HEHnatoks:
The Complimentary Banquet Of
the Common Council and
Citizens to him
Last Night.
FULL REPORT or THE AD-
DRESSES AND PRO
eCEEDINGS. 3

From The DAILY OF Thursday ~ w.
The complimentary supper given to
Senator THOMAS A. HEEpRIoKs by the
| Oorlmon Council and citizens, Slast night
at the International, was an impor-
tant and interesting occasion, both in the
views expressed by the speakers and The
pleasant nature Of TIE attendant exercises.
About one hundred aguests sat down At
ehalfpast nine O'Clock to 1.-THE finest snip
per that ever graced the boards Of the n
ternationaL, Col BEtorrEE seemed % have
spared ne pains or expense IL. its prsnaya-
tion. But we must lent sh0rtb onro mote:
on this part Of HseWbahquet gAnds turn
to the intellectual enter tainhent which
followed. It was opened BY the Hon.
JOHN s. Primer, who rose and addressed
the company as follows baeb 2 eda a
REMARKS OF MAYOR rRNcE. Wopnas
r. GxNrLxsKN ~ hayethe honor TO introduce
to you our distinguished guest, Hon. Senator
tHendricks Of Indiana, . gentleman who aa
Commissioner of the General Land Oftlce, and
subsequently as United, States Senator has
proved himself to be the warm supporter and
advocate of the interests of our State With q
Just appreciation of the commanding geographi-
llcal position of Minnesota, and Of her other
great natural advantages, he has generously
Elabored for her benefit and, we are assembled
this evening at the invitation Of the City Coun.
Gil to welcome him as visitor among us| and
to give expression to the grateful recognition
| of his good offices which we all entertain. His
/ 10 ii f&n sc<<> ~
Minnesota as one of her best and truesf friends.
| Senator Hendricks on rising was greeted
with much applause, and spoke. il substance,
as follows: ,.r,;s,,l.l t,,.tsf.. ..~9,f :. c.
SPEECH Or SENATOR HENDRICKS. -, ~
Mr.. Mayor add Gentlemen: 20 - gu ps,l9'a
To satisfy his own Judgment and conscience
| is the first desire Of an honest man upon whom
public and responsible duties are ,devolvedl
but next, and second only to that b priced the
approval Of the people whose interests are Of
In the resolutions of the Common Council
h0noriDg me with the Inequalities Of this city,
mention Is made of my former connection
with the General Land Office, and of my pres
emit position In the Senate Of the United States
-and the Council were pleased 70 cay that
had iabored for the interests Of Minnesota ,l and
The prophecies of this occasion win not al
low me to speak of the estimate put upon my
official conduct when reviewed in the forum of
j my own judgment and conscience, but ] am
| allowed to say that your approval and the
fattering manner In which IL has been ex-
tpressed Is the cause of profound Qualification.
Commissioners of the General Land Office, In
1856. the immigration into this State was very
large. The settlements were not In particular To-
calities, but were largely difIused over the more
accessible and desirable portions ofthe state. In
that respect the settlement of Minnes0tawas Pc
cuiiar andcalled for great activity in the prose
cuti0n OF the public surveys, so that they
might be in advance of the demands of the
settlers, and that each settler might know the
exact boundary OF his claim under the pre-
emption laws, and that the conflicts growing
out of the tapping of claims. SO hurtful 10 :.
new country, might be avoided. p, tA
Next in importance to the surveys was the
early examination and prompt decision Of the
claims made by the settlers, and the adjudica-
ton of conflicting claims, so that rights should
4 be fixed and known; for Improvements can
not advance-the farmers cannot have courage
and enterprise, when the titles of the lands are
/ not settled. =. rrithN f"
4 rience, / need not speak of the importance OF
9 correct decision In the case of each claim, so
that the patent when issued shall be satisfactory
| evidence ofa certain and unimpeachable right
| If the survey were 60 correctly made and SO
accurately described, and the claims of the set
tiers 30 promptly and rightly decided, that You
| have but few prctracted and doubtful land
| that the administration of our admirable land
| system was creditable to those having it in
| charge, and blessing to the country. For
| myself would only claim that was animat-
ed by the sentiment that the public domain
should be 90 managed as to furnish homes for
/ Al L. n II,
subject Of monopoly and speculation.
did not think 1t enough that Congress
should provide for the survey and sale of the
lands but / thought aid ought to be given to
the settlers In the development of the coun-
try. 1t Is the settler, who, by his enterprise
and labor, gives value to the public lands.
Every farm that s opened--every church and
and neighborhnoi rad that is constructed up-
on the frontier. gives value to the unsold lands
| of the United States. It is common seutL
ment Of equity that owners of large tracts of
land should aid in the construction of works
Of general improvement which enhance their
value: for It Is hardly fair that they enjoy the
benefits without aiding to bear the burthens.
Then, as large proprietor Of the land. Why
should not the Government aid in such great
works of improvement as are necessarily be-
yond the means Of the settlers7 Il Is i,ut a
wise disposal Of portion of her lands. there.
BY enhancing the value and bringing into mar
ket the residue, which clearly may be done nm
der the provisions Of the constitution.
1t Is not now Questioned that Congress NAV
encourage commerce BY survey Of the coasts.
the erection of light houses and the improve.
ment OF the great harbora Why, then, shall
it be questioned that In aid Of agriculture Con-
gress may, by granting portion of her lands,
assist in the constructions of works of inn.
provement of national importance, and thus
contribute to the development Of this great
Western country? Guided by this view,
have felt 1t my duty TO support the policy Of
granting portions of the pnDlic lands to the
States and Territories in aid of important rail-
road enterprises; and after being assured of the
probable success Of the work, I supported the
grant to this State to aid IN the constitution
OF that road which is to connect the waters Of
the greatest lake with the waters Of the great
est river in North America. The pleasure of
my visit to your State and city has been greatly
increased by the assurance that the work Il
now about to be commenced, and its early
compilation may be anticipated know not
when may be IN Minnesota again, bat I hope
to have the pleasure Of joining yo1 IN the eeie-
hat 80 AZ -