St. Paul daily globe., 1893-07-13
THE MINNESOTA BUILDING.
Minnesota With Minnesota Left
Out-Gen. j. II. Bakers Roast.

OuC-Gen. d ii. bakers ROaSt.
Gen. j. H. Baker has visited the fair
and inspected the various state build
ings. Each one has been made a repre-
sentative of the distinctive features of
the state except Minnesota's. The gen.
eral has written lette: to the Mankato
Review, in which he lets his feelings
find expression in that wav of which he
is master. He says: You know that
it belongs to Minnesota from the fact
that its name is on the front OF the
building and from no other reason.
SO far as the building symbolizes
anything it might as we'll stand for any
nameleSs and unknown country. There
is not suggestion of Minnesota about
it," After specifying the many things
emblematical of the state which might
have been used he SAYS:
The walls of our building are silent
as the grave as to our distinguished
men. or noted physical or historic facts.
How hOme-like ana eternaliy Just it
would have been to have placed there
the portraits OF Henry Hastings Sibley
and Alexander Ramsey? There are the
two Rtces, Henry and Edmund, whose
presence would have looked in place OH
those walls. The picture of Johnathan
Carver would have been in order. The
faces of Joseph K. Brown and James
Nj. Goodhue would have been pleasant
to see. The face of good Bishop Whip
pie, his Grace John Ireland. and those
of John II. Stevens and Rev. +. D. Nell
would have been refreshing to look at.
What ails our governors that their
painted heads are banished from
our building? Our own Donnelly's
portrait, which, unlike his politi-
cal teachings, could have done
no harm, would have enlivened the
walls with thoughts of Bacon and of
home. The pleasant faces of Charles E.
Fiandrau, Joseph A. Wheelock, James
j. Hill, or jolly Pat Kelly would have
made the place feel homelike. The
portraits of all these could have been
had for the asking. with no expense.
save transportation, just as did the
other states secure their pictures. Even
the kindly face of good Mrs. Van Cleve
would have looked motherly well
come.
Where too. are the battle-flags of our
patriotic state? Illinois has every reg
mental flag. weather-beaten and battle
torn, III conspicuous cases, to tell the
visitor how we'll her SONS served the i'm
periled nation. But there is not one
picture, flag, or syllable to tell how
even the immortal First fought like
llOilS DIT G6lLNSDuTR.
This building of ours is Minnesota,
with Minnesota entirely left out There
is nothing there to individualize our
state, people, or products. Chisel off
the name Minnesota from its frontlet
and the passing crowd would wonder
what was the purpose, aim or object in
erecting that building. Even the pagans
of the South Sea Islands tell much of
themselves in their houses and their
products. 1t Is true that the stuffed
moose and few antelopes are there,
| and so is the everlasting Indian in front
| of the building. For myself, l wish Buff
| falo Bill would take his best rifle and
| smash that Indian into thousand
| pleceSi Minnesota has scored too high
| mark in the worlds best civilization
| to be longer represented by the barbar-
| ians she has driven out at the point of
bloody rifles.
The stranger from New England or
! elsewhere who has never been West,
and who is to learn his lesson from the
| exhibits of the Columbian exposition.
! should he step into the Iowa or Kansas
| state buildings, will find thousand
| good reasons in either why he should
| emigrate thither. Should he step into
the Minnesota building, he will scarce
| ly find a single reason why he should
| go there. except it might be in the in
telligence and high character of the
| people he would meet. We have missed
the one golden opportunity of century
| i'll scoring some great points before the
| jury of the whole world"