The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-09-11

of traders used their great influence with
the Indians to accept the treaty, and
that influence was powerful. But the
traders worked from mercenary motives.
Their combined claims amounted to
S2O9,2 200. Most of these accounts were OF
long standing, and were, perhaps justly,
provided for in the terms of the treaty.
But the one man in that entire body
OF whites, who worked from no sordld
motives, was Alexander Ramsey.
The treaty itself was the most i'm
posing spectacle yet presented in the
Northwest. All the dignitaries of the
territory, an army of traders, speculat-
ors, editors, and all the great Dakota
chiefs, in barbaric pomp, with thousands
of their painted followers, were present.
Why it has not received the historic,
literary, and artistic notice it so well
deserves, it is difficult to understand.
In the events of that day, it excluded
and Overshadowed all other concerns.
1t gave 23,OOOOOO acres of land to the
state, and this the most picturesque and
fertile on earth. The Almighty could
have made a better country, but he
never did.
The ink was not yet dry on the pages
OF that treaty, when a stream OF I'M
migration poured in, and barbarism gave
way to civilization. Ramsey beheld the
realization of his dream; magnificent
destiny to the state was assured.
| One of the noblest features of this
treaty was, that it was contracted by
peaceful persuasion. Nearly all the
treaties of our government with the
aborigines have been the result of bloody
wars, and made at the point of the bay
onet. This pacific treaty stands in all
honor and credit with that of William
Penn. Not a soldier was present, nor
were they at any time required.
All that is wanting is an artist like
Benjamin West, who gave PENIS treaty
to the world, and the scene will be i'm
mortal. Yonder stands your new capitol,
with
Granite and marble and granite,
Corridor, column and dome,
a capitol huge as a planet,
And massive as marble built
Rome"
This edifice will ever be regarded with
enthusiasm, for its grace, its elegance
and dignity. Therefore let us hang its
inviolate walls with glorious state his
tories, first and foremost of which should
be the scene representing the great
treaty of 1851
1t may be proper here to note, that
some disappointed traders, whose claims
were not allowed, brought charges
against Ramsey, affecting the integrity
of his conduct in the negotiations. 1t is
sufficient to state that these charges
were fully investigated by hostile
70 nd ha t-,,,, a,,{l
Dictated. Lethe, long since, sent her
story.
Correlative to this negotia ton, by
authority of Congress, he visited the
Red River Indians in 1850, and made
. most important treaty with the Ojib-
ways, which was not ratified till he
himself became a senator in 1868. This
treaty covered thirty miles on each side
of the Red River, and now includes the
fertile counties of Kittson, Marshall,
Polk and Norman, in Minnesota. Still
later, by his influence chiefly, the Win
nebagos were permanently removed from
the heart of the fairest portion of the
state. By his early and persistent eff
forts, the colonist, the cOnqueror, the
civilizer, the Anglo Saxon, posses the
state, and the pagan is gone! What SEN
timentality regrets the change!
In the period between the close of his
office as territorial governor and his
election as the second executive of the
state, he. loyalty performed every duty
OF good citizen, serving one term as
mayor of the city of St. Paul.
The slavery question, with potency
that subordinated all other political
ideas, was now sovereign of the ascend
ant" Hitherto, in territorial politics,
the Democrats held undisputed sway.
On the 25th of July, 1855, the oppon-
ents of the Nebraska bill held meet
ing at st. Anthony, and assumed the
name Republican" They issued a call
for a convention, and Alexander Ram
sey was the first name signed to that
proclamation
From that day onward, his allegiance
to Republican principles was unfaltering
More and more these principles informed
and infused his convictions. He believed
that his party creed was the best for the
country and humanity. All the ills of
the republic could be indicated in that
political pharmacy. He made no I'M
, natural political alliances, but stood his
ground upon the well defined principles
OF his party. He constantly gave his
patronage to the support of his party,
except during the period of the civil war.
when he bestowed his favors equally on
I both parties, and with a discriminating
hand.
In 1857, state constitution was to be
made. A governor, state officers, two
members OF congress and two United
States Senators were the prizes. The
contest was sharp. and both sides claim
ed majority. The result was double
convention bat by flash of common
sense, each faction produced the same
constitution, alike even in photography
| and punctuation. Promptly it was ap-
proved, and the arch of the state was
locked in the cohesion of granite perma-
nence. Henry Fl. Sibley was the Demo
cratic candidate for governor. and Alex
ander Ramsey led the Republican col
umn. He was counted out under cir
cumstances of great doubt.
In 1859, Alexander Ramsey was again
the logical Republican nominee, and was
elected governor by decisive majority.
Under his leadership, the Republicans
attained power, to be dislodged but once
in fortyfve years.
NO other governor ever so impressed
ms individuality upon the state. Well
dld Henry A. Swift declare, that his
administration twas distinct era in the
history of the state.'' The studv of
his messages reveals his practical pur
| poses, and consummate skill as a pub
| cf fAr I'D