The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-09-15
THEY EULOGIzE
ALEXANDER RAMSEY
State HistorlcaIS ocietyHonors
the Memory of Minnesota's
First Governor.

- representatives. IN the capital at
Washington under the, law allowing
each state to thus honor two of its
foremost citizens, "'illustrious either
Tor historic renown or for distin-
guished civic or military service"
A resolution. introduced last night
by Judge. Greenleaf Clark at the meet
ing OF the State Historical society,
PROVIDES that the president and the
secretary of the society prepare q sniff.
able memorial to the legislature for
the necessary action in the matter
ana the required appropriation for IT'S
suitable. accomplishment at the next
session.
The plan received unexpected in
oorsement when Gov. Van SAINT in his
address on Gov. Ramsey expressed his
lntehtlon of asking the legislature to
o oD tie same tfnng provided in the res
olution-uneXpected because the two
proposals were entirely independent
IN origin, each party being in ignor-
ance of the other PLAN
The resolution of Judge Clark is as
follows: - e''
Be it resolved by the Historical So
clety, That under the act of congress of
1864, authorizing the states upon the in
vltatlon OF the president, to provide and
furnish statues in marble or bronze NOT
exceeding two in number for each state
or deceased persons who have been citi-
zens thereof and illustrious for their his
AOhOWA, VI LOT ulSIllRulSn60 civic
mliltary services, such as each state may
oeem TO be worthy Of national comment
grafton, to be placed in the old hall of
Ine mouse OF representatives in the capt.
tol OF the United States set apart for the
purpose, this society do memorialize the
legislature of Minnesota at its next ses-
sion to provide and furnish for one niche
IN IN such statuary hall the statue of Alex
amer ramsey, now dead, full of years
and OF honors, illustrious for his public
services sc as territorial and state governor
IN extlngulshing the Indian right to the
occupancy OF the soil over the fairest part
OF minnesota, and SO preparing it for the
advancing tide of civilization In LAYING
tia ana deep and strong the founda-
sofa, and for his ever memorable stead
fastness. devotion and labor as war
governor In throwing the whole power of
tne stare TO the aid of the federal gov
happy Rebellion of 1861 and for the de-
tense OF the state against savage foes
az tne Sioux Indian massacre of 1862.
uistlngu1shed for craftsmanship in the
nails of congress in the house OF repre-
sentatiVes in his early manhood and in
ms maturer years in the senate, and in
and who. in the intelligent judgment OF
his countrymen, and especially of the
people OF Minnesota is deemed worthy of
national commemoration.
.lfteSoiNed further. That 1t Is made the
duIyi-Of the president and secretary of
this society to prepare and present to
tne next legislature In behalf of this So
ciety such memorial and to ask that the
proper steps be taken to put in execution
the objects thereof and for an appropria-
ton adequate for the purpose. :"
The meeting of the society. after the
regular business had been disposed Of
was devoted to memorial addresses by
several members of the council and
others of the late Gov. Ramsey. all
OF which were marked by a high ap-
probation of his sterling qualities of
mind and character and the wonder
OF mis- achievements during the growth
of the state.
Judge clark's Tribute.
What impressed me most in Gov.
Ramsey, said Judge Greenleaf Clark.
was his perfect mental equipoise-
the perfect command he had over him
self at all times-a mastery over his
faculties which events even of the
most critical import could not over
throw and which always made him a.
man for the crisis. 1t was this mental
balance which enabled him to carry
the heaviest responsibilities with
genial and smiling face and made him
always the cheerful, humorous COM
pan1on In the darkest hours.
His work was done in the con-
hdence of bright tomorrow-in a
supreme faith of his country and the
right. In no one instance was his
readiness and fearlessness shown more
than at the payment of the Indians aft
the traverse des Sioux in 1852, when
with mere handful of soldiers sur
rounded by thousands of excited saw
ages, he ordered the chief, Red Iron
VINO was causing the trouble TO he
seized and thrown into prison until
the dissatisfaction on the part Of the
Indians was adjusted.
another prompt act which justified
itself was his selection of Gen. Siblev
a man with no military training. to
lead the state troops to 6uppress the
sioux at the time of massacre. Gen.
SIbley knew more of the Indians. their
habits and characteristics than anv
other white man living at the time.
But 1t required a bold man to select
him for this service. The selection
was proved by the result when Gen.
Sibiey not only put down the outbreak.
but saved hundreds of captfves held by
The indians. Ramsey was prompt in
offering troops to President Lincoln on
the outbreak of the war, and had the
honor to muster into service the first
Of the vast army which came forward
for the defense of the flag in 1861.
1T is fitting" Judge Clark concluded,
as he offered the resolution mentioned.
that Alexander Ramsey should be
tHuS Selecled TO represent the state
with the history of which his own life
Is so closely identified and who, in fact.
in his own life. SO fully represented the
growth and development of the state
which he saw grow from its infancy to
the proud distinction she occupies to-
day Whatever differences may exist
regarding the second statue to be
placed in the national capitol to repre-
sent Minnesota there can be no doubt
about the fitness of the selection of
Alexander Ramsey
Archbishop lreiand's EuIogy.
The presence of Gov. Ramsey in our
streets before his DEATH" said Arch
bishop Ireland, was forceful and
meaningful. He expressed in himself
the whole half century of toll and
conference.-the practical labors and
the romance and poetry of our half CEN
fury of growth. He was fortunate in
living fourscore years and ten, that the
quite peacefulness of his declining
years might crown the more rugged
activity of his early life-that he might
see the harvest he had helped to SOW,
and reap the satisfaction from a life
full of labor and usefulness.
Alexander Ramsey and the state of