USA > Minnesota > Goodhue County > History of Goodhue county, including a sketch of the territory and state of Minnesota > Part 16
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other State officers had taken the oath of office, and entered upon the discharge of the duties of their several offices. J. S. Watsons was speaker of the House until the 12th of March, when he was succeeded by Hon. George Bradley. On the 25th of March, 1858, a recess was taken until the 2d day of June, from which time it remained in session until the 12th of August, when it adjourned. In the month of December, soon after the Legislature organized, Henry M. Rice and James Shields were elected to represent the new State in the United States Senate.
H. H. Sibley, who had been elected governor, entered upon the dis- charge of his duties on the 24th day of May, 1858.
HARD TIMES-RELIEF SOUGHT THROUGH RAILROAD CORPORATIONS.
When Minnesota became a State, the entire country was suffering from financial depression and embarrassements. There was a famine in the money market, and those who had hoped to aid the develop- ment of the new State on borrowed capital found themselves con- fronted by disappointment. The exigencies of the times were sore and pressing, and the pioneers were ready and willing to listen to any one who had a panacea to offer that promised relief. An act of Congress, approved March 5, 1857, granted 4,500,000 acres of land to the Terri- tory to aid in the construction of a system of railways.
Soon after the passage of this bill, a combination of shrewd, cunning men was formed for the purpose of securing control of these lands, and on the 22d of May, 1857, during the extra session of the Legislature, an act was passed giving the entire grant to certain railroad companies. Not long after the passage of this act, however, the people discovered that those who had obtained control of the lands had neither money nor credit to carry out any of their promised schemes of internal improvements. In the winter of 1857-8 the first session of the State Legislature was invoked by the railroad corporations, and another act was passed, submitting to the people an amendment to the constitu- tion, providing for the loan of State credit to the land grant railroad companies to the amount of $5,000,000, on condition that a certain amount of labor was performed on the projected road. Such public- spirited men as ex-Governor Gorman, D. A. Robertson, William R. Marshall and others saw nothing but mischief in this scheme, and opposed it with all the force they could command, but without avail. On the 15th of April, 1858, the people voted on the amendment, and approved it by a majority of 18,290 votes, out of a total vote of 31,756.
Before the adoption of this amendment, the constitution prohibited the State from loaning its credit to any individual or corporation, but
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by the adoption of this amendment, section ten of article 9 of the con- stitution was made to read-
"The credit of this State shall never be given or loaned in aid of any individual, association or corporation ; except that for the purpose of expediting the construction of the lines of railroads, in aid of which the Congress of the United States has granted lands to the Territory of Minnesota, the governor shall cause to be issued and delivered to each of the companies in which said grants are vested by the Legislative Assembly of Minnesota, the special bonds of the State, bearing an interest of seven per cent. per annum, payable semi-annually in the City of New York, as a loan of public credit, to an amount not exceed- ing twelve hundred and fifty thousand dollars, or an aggregate amount to all of said companies not exceeding five millions of dollars, in manner following, to wit," etc.
The sober, second thought came and a reaction in public sentiment commenced. The words of warning of Messrs. Gorman, Robertson, Marshall, et al., had not been without, influence, and on the 6th of November the people voted to amend this article so as to read:
" The credit of the State shall never be given or loaned in aid of any individual, association or corporation ; nor shall there be any further issue of bonds denominated Minnesota State Railroad Bonds, under what purports to be an amendment to section ten (10,) of article nine (9,) of the constitution, adopted April fifteenth, eighteen hundred and fifty-eight, which is hereby expunged from the constitution, saving, excepting and reserving to the State, nevertheless, all rights, remedies and forfeitures accruing under said amendment."
Governor Sibley refused to issue these bonds unless the companies claiming them would give first mortgage bonds with priority of lien upon their lands, roads and franchises in favor of the State. The companies refused to do this, and one of the companies applied to the Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus to compel the governor to issue the bonds without restrictions. In November the Court, Judge Flandrau dissenting, ordered the governor to issue the bonds as soon as the company delivered their first mortgage bonds, as provided by the constitution.
The bonds did not become popular with capitalists. They were not regarded as either safe or profitable investments, and became a drug in the market. After more than $2,000,000 of bonds had been issued, not an iron rail had been laid, and only about 250 miles of grading com- pleted. In his annual message to the second Legislature in December, 1858, Governor Sibley said in relation to the loan of the State credit :
"I regret to be obliged to state that the measure has proved a failure, and has by no means accomplished what was hoped from it,
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either in providing means for the issue of a safe currency, or of aiding the companies in the completion of the work upon the roads."
Alexander Ramsey was elected governor in the fall of 1859, and his administration had to wrestle with the complications growing out of the mistaken policy of loaning the state credit to railroad companies, and his inaugural message delivered to the second Legislature, on the 2d of January, 1860, was largely devoted to a discussion of the question, and the suggestion of "ways and means " to relieve the embarrassment.
MINNESOTIANS IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
If there is any one thing more than another of which the people of the Northern States have reason to be proud, it is of the record they made during the War of the Rebellion. And no State in the patriotic Union-loving North, made a clearer, bolder, more commendable record than the infant State of Minnesota.
This war came on in the third year of Minnesota's existence as a State and in the second year of Governor Ramsey's administration. The people had scarcely become accustomed to the new order of things-to the transition of State independency from territorial depend- ency-and, busied with their individual plans and purposes, for the building of homes and the accumulation of a competence that would secure them against want in the days of old age, they had paid but little heed to the threatenings and mutterings of discontented, oligar- chical slave breeders, slave traders and slave drivers. With the exception of these southern mutterings, the country was enjoying national peace and tranquility when Abraham Lincoln was elected to the presidency in November, 1860. The growth of the Republican party and the spread of its freedom-loving principles threatened to overcome and destroy the influence and power of the proslavery party in the National Legislature, and assuming to believe that it was the purpose and intention of Mr. Lincoln and the Republican party to destroy their cherished institution, they inaugurated a movement for the destruction of the Union and the erection of an independent con- federacy wherein the will of the slave breeder should be the supreme law of the land.
The spring of 1861 found Fort Sumter, at Charleston, South Carolina, garrisoned by a small detachment of United States troops under com- mand of Major Anderson, as gallant and patriotic an officer as ever donned a federal uniform or drew a sword. Maddened at their loss of
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power, the hot-heads of South Carolina mustered in force in April, and demanded that Fort Sumter be surrendered to them. The demand was refused, in the belief that it was made more in a spirit of impetuous bravado than in a spirit of earnest, settled determination; more the act of a drunken mob, than the first earnest of a people determined to rule or ruin. But Major Anderson was given but little time to specu- late upon the situation, and scarcely had the electric wires borne to Northern ears the news of the insulting, treasonable demand, than another message followed stating that the "secessionists" had fired upon the fort, and that the war had in reality commenced. The people were startled from their undertakings almost as much as if a bombshell had unexpectedly fallen and exploded in their fields or their door yards. Another message soon followed, announcing the fact that after a gallant resistance of thirty-four hours, Major Anderson had been forced to haul down the national colors, and surrender the fort to rebels in arms against the government.
The North was astounded, but their astonishment quickly gave way to active preparations to meet the assault and resent the insult to the nation's honor. The gauntlet thrown down by the traitors of the South in their attack upon Fort Sumter was accepted, not, however, in the spirit with which insolence meets insolence-but with a firm, deter- mined spirit of patriotism and love of country. The duty of the President under the constitution and the laws was plain; and above and beyond all, the masses of the people, from whom all political power is derived, demanded the suppression of the rebellion, and stood ready to sustain the authority of their representative and executive officers, to the extent of the last man and the last dollar, to help drive the rebels into the "last ditch."
With Abraham Lincoln, the people's President and freedom's cham- pion, there was no halting between two opinions. He saw and com- prehended the situation, and, on the 15th day of April, 1861, issued a proclamation calling for " the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of 75,000, to suppress the said combination and execute the laws."
Governor Ramsey was in Washington when the proclamation was issued, and on the Sunday following, in company with two other citizens of the State, he called on the President, and, on behalf of the people, tendered a regiment of volunteers in defense of the cause of the people, the suppression of the rebellion. The tender was accepted, and Governor Ramsey sent a dispatch to Lieutenant-Governor Donnelly, causing the following proclamation to be issued :
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Whereas, the government of the United States, in the due enforcement of the laws, has for several months been resisted by armed organizations of citizens in several of the Southern States, who, precipitating the country into revolution, have seized upon and confiscated the property of the nation to the amount of many millions of dollars ; have taken possession of its forts and arsenals; have fired upon its flag; and at last consum- mating their treason, have, under circumstances of peculiar indignity and humiliation, assaulted and captured a Federal fort, occupied by Federal troops; and whereas, all these outrages, it is evident, are to be followed by an attempt to seize upon the national capital and the offices and archives of the government; and whereas, the President of the United States, recurring in this extremity to the only resource left him, the patriotism of a people who, through three great wars, and all the changes of eighty-five years, have ever proved true to the cause of law, order, and free institutions, has issued a requisition to the governors of the several States for troops to support the government.
Now, therefore, in pursuance of law and of the requisition of the President of the United States, I do hereby give notice that volunteers will be received at the city of St. Paul for one regiment of infantry, composed of ten companies, each of sixty-four pri- vates, one captain, two lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals and one bugler. The volunteer companies already organized, upon complying with the foregoing requirements as to number and officers, will be entitled to be first received.
The term of service will be three months, unless sooner discharged. Volunteers will report themselves to the adjutant-general, at the capitol, St. Paul, by whom orders will at once be issued, giving all the necessary details as to enrollment and organization.
During the week following the publication of this proclamation busi- ness was almost entirely suspended. The national flag was displayed from all public places and private dwellings. There was no mistaking the spirit of the people. Party lines were, for the time, ignored. Bitter words spoken in moments of political heat, were forgiven and forgotten, and joining hands in a common cause, the masses of the people repeated the oath of America's soldier statesman : "By the Great Eternal, the Union must and shall be preserved."
The tocsin of war was sounded. War meetings were held in all the towns, villages and hamlets of the State-at St. Paul, Minneapolis, Hastings, Red Wing, Wabasha, Winona-at which stirring and spirited addresses were made and resolutions adopted that admitted of but one interpretation. The spirit and determination of the people were clearly reflected in the following preamble and resolutions :
WHEREAS, It becomes American citizens to know no political law but their country's welfare; and, whereas, the flag of our country has been insulted, and the laws set at defiance by formidably-organized bands of lawless men, whose avowed purpose and overt acts are high treason against the government; therefore,
Resolved, That in the present endangered state of our country, we will ignore all party differences and distinctions, and will unite in rendering all the aid within our power to the Federal Executive in executing the laws and defending the honor of our national flag.
Resolved, That we recognize the form of government formed by our fathers and bap- tized in their blood, the best in the world, the birthright of citizens, and to be given up but with our lives.
Resolved, That we are unalterably for the Union of the States, one and inseparable, now and forever.
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1
Enlistments commenced at once, and in a few days the first regiment was full; a camp was established at Fort Snelling, and the regiment was mustered into the service by Captain Anderson D. Nelson, of the regular service. On the 27th of April, twelve days after the date of the president's proclamation, the following order was issued by Adju- tant-General John B. Sanborn, in behalf of the governor :
"The commander-in-chief expresses his gratification at the prompt response to the call of the President of the United States upon the militia of Minnesota, and his regret that under the present requisition for only ten companies it is not possible to accept the ser- vices of all the companies offered.
" The following companies, under the operation of general order No. 1, have been accepted : Company B, 2d Regiment, Capt. Lester; Company A, 6th Regiment, Capt. Pell; Company A, 7th Regiment, Capt. Colvill; Company A, 8th Regiment, Capt. Dike; Company A, 13th Regiment, Capt. Adams; Company A, 16th Regiment, Capt. Putnam; Company A, 17th Regiment, Capt. Morgan; Company A, 23d Regiment, Capt. Wilkin; Company B, 23d Regiment, Capt. Acker; Company A, 25th Regiment, Capt. Brownley. Each officer and private is recommended to provide himself with a blanket. Captains of the above companies will report their respective commauds to the Adjutant General at Fort Snelling.
"The commander-in-chlef recommends the companies not enumerated above, to maintain their organization and perfect their drill, and that patriotic citizens throughout the State continue to enroll themselves and be ready for any emergency."
There was no abatement in the patriotic ardor of the people. Enlist- ments continued throughout the State, and on the 3rd of May, Governor Ramsey telegraphed the offer of another regiment to the President.
The first call of the President was for 75,000 men. Mr. Lincoln and others in authority at Washington, soon saw the terrible mistake he had made, in that he did not call for a larger number. The magnitude of the rebellion had been underestimated. More men were needed, and more calls were issued, until the aggregate reached 3,339,748. Of this number Minnesota furnished her full proportion, without the humilia- tion of a draft.
May 7, 1861, Secretary of War Cameron, sent the following dispatch to Governor Ramsey :
" It is decidedly preferable that all the regiments mustered into the service of the government from your State not already actually sent forward, should be mustered into service for three years or during the war. If any persons belonging to the regiments already mustered for three months, but not yet actually sent forward, should be unwil- ling to serve for three years or during the war, could not their places be filled by others willing to serve?"
There was no unwillingness, and on the 11th of May Lieutenant Governor Donnelly telegraphed Governor Ramsey, then in Washington :
" The entire First Regiment, by its commissioned officers, is this day tendered to the President for three years or during the war. The men will be mustered in to-day by Capt. Nelson. In case of deficiency in the ranks, what course would you recommend ?"
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Governor Ramsey replied : "Adjutant General Thomas authorizes me to say that Capt. . Nelson may muster in Col. Gorman's regiment at once for three years or during the war. Do this at once, under dispatch of May 7th."
While the regiment was being raised and mustered into the service, the ladies of St. Paul were not idle, but had purchased the material and made a handsome silk flag for presentation to the regiment. On the 25th of May the regiment marched down to receive it. It was presented from the Statehouse steps. The regiment was formed in a hollow square in front of the building, and at ten o'clock, Mrs. Governor Ramsey appeared on the steps carrying the flag, and Captain Stans- bury, of the U. S. A. Topographical Engineers, made the presentation speech in behalf of the donors, to which Colonel Gorman responded in a speech full of patriotic wisdom.
June 14th, the regiment was ordered to Washington, and on the Sat- urday morning following the first regiment raised in the State of Min- nesota embarked on the steamers Northern Belle and War Eagle, for the field of duty. Before leaving Fort Snelling, Rev. E. D. Neill, who had been appointed chaplain to the regiment, delivered an address that was so full of patriotism, Christian love and manly duty, as to be worthy of preservation :
" Soldiers of Minnesota! This is not the hour for many words. The moment your faces are turned towards the South you assume a new attitude. Gray-haired sires, ven- erable matrons, young men and fair maidens, will look upon you with pride as you glide by their peaceful homes. From week to week they will eagerly search the newspapers to learn your position and condition.
" To-day the whole State view you as representative men, and you no doubt realize that the honor of our commonwealth is largely entrusted to your keeping.
" Your errand is not to overrun, but to uphold, the most tolerant aud forbearing gov- ernment on earth. You go to war with misguided brethren, not with wrathful but with mournful hearts. Your demeanor from the day of enlistment shows that you are fit for something else than ' treason, stratagem and spoils.'
" To fight for a great principle is a noble work. We are all erring and fallible men ; but the civilized world feel that you are engaged in a just cause, which God will defend.
" In introducing myself to you, I would say, I come not to command, but to be a friend, and to point you to the ' Friend of friends,' who sticketh closer than a brother, who pities when no earthly eye can pity, and who can save when no earthly arm can save.
" As far as in me lies, I am ready to make known the glad tidings of the gospel-the simple but sublime truth as it is in Christ Jesus. The religion I shall inculcate will make you feel self-denying, courageous, cheerful here, and happy hereafter.
" Soldiers ! If you would be obedient to God, you must honor him who has been ordained to lead you forth. The Colonel's will must be your will. If, like the Roman Centurion, he says ' go,' go you must. If he says 'come,' come you must. God grant you all the Hebrew's enduring faith, and you will be sure to have the Hebrew's valor. Now, with the Hebrew's benediction, I will close :
" The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen !"
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At an early hour in the morning the regiment reached the upper landing at St. Paul, and amid the conflicting feelings of the citizens of the capital, marched through the city to the lower landing, and again embarked on the steamboat, and were soon borne beyond the sight of the dense throng of relatives, friends and neighbors, who had gathered to bid them " good bye " and " God speed." Some of them never came back to make glad the hearts that grew sad when the order came for them to march away where the enemy threatened. They died the death of brave men, and their memories are sacredly enshrined in the hearts of the people of the Union they fell to preserve and maintain.
So responded the patriotic sons of Minnesota to the first call of the President for men to subdue the rebellion. Other calls followed and other men were ready as long as there was an armed foe in the field- as long as there was an unholy arm raised against the " government of our fathers."
The regiment passed through Chicago on the 22d of June, 1861, en route for Washington, the point to which it had been ordered. On the 23d, the Tribune published the following :
" Gallant Minnesota deserves high credit for her noble sons and their appearance yesterday. They have enjoyed in their make-up that rare and excellent process of selection and culling from the older States, which has thrown into the van of civilization the hardy lumbermen and first settlers of the wilds. There are few regiments we ever saw that can compete in brawn and muscle with these Minnesotians, used to the axe, the rifle, the oar, the setting pole, and thus every way splendid material for soldiers."
Another Chicago journal notes under the caption of the " Northern Hive : "-
" The advent of the Minnesota regiment on Sunday, on their way to the seat of war, was suggestive of many curious reflections. It carried the mind back to the twilight of modern civilization, to the days when not hireling mercenaries, but companions in arms, free men of Northern Europe, burst from their icy homes and overwhelmed their effem- inate southern neighbors. The old story of the world's history seemed to be repeated ; and chronicle and tradition alike teach us what the result must be. As we beheld the men march by, their stalwart forms, wild dress, martial bearing, and healthy complexions, gave reality to the reflection-that is, after all was the reflection of the scene,-that those were forms as brawny, faces as intelligent, expressions as resolute, as in the days of old issued from the northern bee-hive to plant the foundations of all that we now know of freedom and civilization."
The regiment remained at Washington a few days, and was then ordered to cross the Potomac, where it went into camp in the rear of Alexandria. From there the gallant First went wherever the fortunes of war directed, making a record that was not only a pride and honor to itself, but a credit to the State it represented.
This was but the beginning of Minnesota's offering in defense of the Union. To every call of the president there was a ready and a hearty
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response. Whenever men or money were needed, men and money were given. As an instance of the patriotic liberality of the people, when a call was made for hospital funds for the benefit of the First Regiment-that is for money to purchase such delicacies as the sick and debilitated needed, there was such a hearty response that the chaplain of the regiment wrote to Governor Ramsey, and through him to the people, as follows :
" WASHINGTON, August 13.
TO GOVERNOR RAMSEY :- Don't kill us with kindness. Tell liberal men and noble women to send no more money or clothing. God bless them. E. D. NEILL."
To the request for money for the purposes named above, the people of the several localities named below responded as follows :
St. Paul,
$573.83
Faribault,
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