The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-07-28

e CAPT. FIsK'Sa ExPEDrr40N.
The meeting Monday night ct Ingersoll,s
Hall TO consider what steps should be taken
to encourage Fisk's Expedition was wen at
tended, notwithstanding the inclemency Of the
weather. f.-.t ~. - = -.
Mayor Prince was elected President Hor.
ace Thompson, Esq, D. M. Ingersoll, ESQ.,.
and Capt. Blakely, Vice Presidents; and e
Fisher, Secretary.
Horace Thompson, as Chairman of the Com
mittee of the City Council appointed to devise
ways and means, said that upon consultation
the Committee thought 1t best to refer the sub.
ject of the proposed testimonial to public
meeting Of the citizens of st. Paul. He show
ed the vast travel over the Southern route to
the gold regions, amounting 80 far this season
to over 5000 wagons and over 10000 head of
cattle. He argued that the route proposed BY
Capt. Fisk was the most practicable, and that
we should give the expedition substantial aid.
Capt. Russell Blakely was called upon, and
he responded by giving an account of previous
efforts made here to get the route opened to
Montana, and to have it suitably protected.
The route through this State was only ]. 600
miles. while from almost any other point It was
over LOO miles. The distance from Fort
Abercrombie to the mouth Of the Big Horn is
600 miles. Capt Blakely complimented Capt
Fisk - live, energetic man, and said his
Hhole route was just a. easy and practicable as
that Between st. Paul and the Red River.
Mr.. Horse Thompson then offered the fol.
lowing resolution, which was unanimously
adopted:
Resosssd. That the citizens Of st. Paul will
tender TO Capt Psk compliment of not less
than 81 900.
Mr.. Thompson read letter from Mr.. c. D.
Strong, enclosing subscription of $50; Mr..
Thompson subscribed $50; Captain Blakeley
$50; and John Nininger go.
On motion of Mr.. Thompson, the committee
appointed by the city was requested to solicit
further aid. d. w. Ingersoll was added to the
committee.
Gen. Thomas F. Meagher then came into
the Hall and was greeted with much applause.
Mayor Prince introduced him to the audience.
he seemed to be suffering from a cod and
apologised for attempting to speak. He diu
not feel like stranger In our beautiful CITY.
Minnesota was once represented in the Senate
cQ.
Shields, whom he had heard speak in rapturous
panegyric of the State and people. In the
army he had the cordial companionship of the
boys of the First Minnesota who always fought
like Irish in disguise. He acknowledged that
he was induced to come west to better his for
tunes-to improve his condition. It was pain
full to him that so many of the Irish remained
in the spot where they first landed-to do 60
was no Improvement to their characters and
fortunes. If the great waves of immigration
would throb over the prairies-over and be-
yond the Mississippi, their good qualities
would be preserved fresh: useful heroism
would be added-and they would acquire
spirit OF Independence which they do not now
possess. he would use his influence to induce
them to come here.
Another motive which induced him to 20 to |
Montana, was to set An example to the return |
ing soldiers. and to influence his old compau- |
ions in arms to adopt again the pursuits of |
the march, or bivouac or battlefield. they |
would not readily again feel content with more |
quiet scenes. It was not . crown of hurels- |
such as military conqueror wears-that the |
explorer or immigrant receives, bat one full as |
honorable, that of good and useful citizen, |
who has rendered the Republic service. And |
when he had, In some speeches IN New York,
advised his fellow soldiers and fellow country. |
men to emigrate, 1t was with the intention of |
setting them the example, for he would not |
ask them to do what he would not do himself |
Applause. ~
he hoped that Capt Fisk would be encour. |
aged and assisted In his expedition, By substan-
tial aid, to enable him to have the success such
an enterprise deserves. The citizens of st.
Paul cannot fail to feel an interest in making |
their city the grand gateway Of the route to
the Mining RegionA And such II win be- If
the Yellowstone expedition opens the short |
and superior route to Montana and Virginia
City that they propose. Nor was it merely
mercenary influences that should lead to this
as the result would be an extension of popula-
ton to the North West, the opening of new
strength of our country. (Applause.)
Gen. Meagher then took leave of the audi
ence and retired, and the meeting adjourned =