Morris tribune., 1881-01-13

Modification and purpose Of such acquisition was
reimbursement to the State. for payment by the
clnds ali the considerations that need be en-
braced for an honorable settlement upon the legal
the unauestionabIe fact that our magnificent rail-
road system Of to-day is largely due to the early
labor performed upon the trunk lines for which
more words to establish the justice of this claim
upon the State.
That the scheme was premature and unwise for so
the and fault iss'e hsSoders a Ss
because the railroad property Recovered npen ore
debt The or those tbsy e
performed the labor contracted for so far as con-
sruction went. That it did not 60 further no,
sponsible for the abandonment Of the enterprise.
For these services SO performed they received
promise Of payment from rom. SOVEREIGN
twenty-two years for the fulhlment Of that
promise from State which boasts of its progress
and prosperity.
her remedy, and disposed of the property
thus acquired Internationally as her own. the con-
clusion seems to Inc irresistible that she assumed
the payment of the debt resting upon such property
by every principle of law and equity. The liability
having been voluntarily incurred, whether it was
wisely created or no, is foreign to the present
fairly given. for which consideration fairly
ceived: and the State having seized the railroad
property ana franchises to indemnify her Tor pay
ments of the bonds, it is difficult to what posi-
BILE justification there can be for her refusal to MAKE
such payment.
This debt was incurred in the darkest period of
our existence 1t was in the struggling hour of
birth, when we had little population or wealth
without agriculture, manufactures or railroads,
and were rich only in youth and hope Congress
had just made us q munfcent land grant in aid of
a comprehensive railroad system, but before il
could be made available the financial crash of 1857
wiped out private fortunes overthrow public credit
n ntrv 1yifh
financial ruin. Capital which had eagerly sought
investment with little temptation could scarcely
now be lured by any offer from its safe retreat Our
landed endowment promised TO be but barren gift,
for without capital it was wholly useless in
centive or practical means for the construction of
the contemplated railroads. In this crisis, when
stagnation and despair threatened total wreck of
all our hopes men were found who reposed faith
both in our resources and in our honor. They
poor, while the State is rich. Should such men
be rewarded by reproach and betrayal. by justice
and gratitude from the State they served?
The circumstances were not unlike those under
which the national bonds were issued which saved
our country from destruction. In both cases the
emergency summoned men of faith and
courage to the rescue; in both the vital necessity
was prompt and ample funds at time when CAPT
tai was most alarmed and least obainable. In both
the credit of the borrowers was bitterly assailed
and deprecated by enemies in the trying hour; in
both the actual amount realized upon the bonds
when at their lowest value but fraction of the
nominal sum for which they were issued in both
rally subserved by the obligations issued; and In
my candid judgment, he argument in both is Of
equa force for shameless reputation or honorable
payment. The brightest jewel in the national
crown of honor shines with the uster of the faith
kept with those who trusted the nation i'll her hour
of need. Shall our State wear the black stigma OF
ty? At time when the value of financial credit
classifies anew the roll of honorable debtors and
eya!ts our country among he nations of the EARTH
sm aGa she sS hs ss tho rule snf
saes Of the son and bear o the
shame as the only dishonored State of the North?
Nay, would not wrong the suffering South; for
while there may possibly be some paatlon for de-
fault by States crippled with internal disorders and
scourged By war; there is none for State fattened
by prosperity and blest by fortune
The discharge of this debt is demanded a sim
pie act of Justice which would be none the less i'm
perative it to involve serious sacrifices But
these not required. The task is plain and easy
million acres of lands, which cost us nothing and
came opportunity to hand, as if fortune would lure
| US from dishonor, can be so advantageously en-
ployed in this direction that scarcely appreciate
increase of taxation would be required to liauidate
the debt. Indeed the exhibit of the State auditor
shows that with wise use of these lands this can
There would thus seem to be every in
centve to favorable action, and none for shrinking
Progress andprosperity and all the institutions
and achievements of which we are justly proud are
nothing compared with the maintenance OF spot
less name Personaldebtors give securities by which
Justice may be compelled. sovereign State gives
only her honor as the priceless pledge of PAYMENT
Fellow citizens, let that be preserved, though all
else perish This subject has been
presented in all its aspects: the legal
obligation of the State has been affirmed
by high judicial authority. The equities, the moral
requirements and matters involving simple bust
ness policy pertaining to it have been concuslvely
shown: But in order to remove all possible doubt
rests. it would be WELL first step toward settle
ment, to obtain from competent source such an
authoritative verdict shall forever set the ques-
ton at rest. To this end would respectfully rec
ommend that at an early day of this session the
opinion Of the supreme court of this State be OBJ
tanned in some way that shall forever settle the
question as to the validity of these bonds.
Minnesota has in most respects proud place
among the States of the Union. She has evinced
her patriotism in war and her wisdom in peace.
She has shown more financial sagacty and concern
for the national credit than older and weather.
States of which more was expected She has been
permitted to grow in prosperity and power. There
order, thrift and contentment. All industries pros
Der, and all interests point to a glorious future.
Only this dshonored debt dims the bright promise
of her proud But meets her at every turn
In every civilized community her citizens are
shamed with the scathing taunt of reputation.
One day Minnesota will have history: but
whether it shall be history of honor or dishonor
her people must soon determine. By the simplest
rule of fair dealing-in the name of law, justice and
honor-as the last public utterance may make to
you, implore the people of Minnesota and you,
gentlemen, their honored representatives, to seize
this last opportunity before 1t is too late, to wipe
this only blot from the fair name of our beloved