The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-04-25
HgHRy ANDERSON, Seci'y.
Correspondence Of the Pioneer.

The mail from the northwest arrived
last night, with adsices from Minnesota
as late as the 25th ult | have received
copy Of the Chronicle and Register Of
the Odd Feb, which is pretty severe up
on its correspondent and yours, for hav-
ing expressed hope that Mr.. Cass'
speech might go far towards saving the
Union, and intimates in terms quite
strong enough to be ineligible, that
minnesota was unduly Influenced by
the opinions Of that gentleman. have
nothing to reply to the attack which the
Chronicle has seen fit to make upon Gen.
Cass, except to remark, that so far from
attempting to infringe upon the rights of
the people of the Territories in his speech
on the Wilmot Proviso, if the Chronicle
had perused that document attentivelv,
which it admits it had not, it would have
found that those rights are therein up
held in the most strong and eloquent Ian
guage, such as will call forth response
in the breast fevery Minnesotian He
took the broad ground that the people
of the Territories were not to be consid-
cred as mere machine, to be bought
and sold at the pleasure of the General
Governmen mt, but that they had rights I'M
der the constitution as American citizens,
inherent, substantial and inalienable.-
He fortified his position with regard to
the Wilmot Proviso, by stating at sub
sequent period, that before he promulga-
ted his sentiments as to its unconstitu-
tionality, he had advised with an emf
nent and distinguished Judge of the Su-
preme Court of the United States, Mr.
Mclean, who agreed with him entirely
in that opinion. AS to the charge against
myself, | have only to say that | have
never in my letters or elsewhere, en-
dorsed all the conclusions at which Gen
c. arrived In his speech; on the contra
~, there are some OF these from which
[ entirely dissent. The hope which |
expressed and which has been animad-
verified upon by the Chronicle, meant
nothing more than that the general and
anti-sectional ground which it was as
serted he would take in his speech,
would tend to soothe the existing agita-
ton, as much from the fact of his being
a northern man, as that his character
and personal influence were known to
have great weight in the country, espe-
cially when brought to bear upon ques-
ton, with which political considerations
had nothing to do. / think you will find
that used similar language with regard
to the speeches of Mcssrs. Clay and Web
stcr.
My only objects in making frequent
communications to the Pioneer and
Chronicle have been to add somewhat to
the general interest of these papers, and
to keep the public advised of the pro-
gress Of congressional Legislation, not
only in matters in which the Territory
was particularly interested, but in con-
nection with the great questions which
agitate the country. To do this faithful
ly and correctly, have deemed it ne
cessary to glance briefly in my cores
pondence, at the views entertained and
expressed by the leading personages in
the Senate. And when | see any one
who is so regarded, rise in his place and
proclaim himself in favor of peace, har-
uiOiJ di'u TIC CIilOi', sup IlOt W IN
quire whether he belongs to this or that
political party, whether he be Clay, Ben
ton, Cass, or Webster, but ! hail him
with a warm aad glowing heat, as a
true embodiment of the conservatism of
the country, that conservatism which
embraces the masses of the bone and
sinew of the north, without distinction of
sect or party, that conservatism which,
while it will adopt all proper methods
within the scope of the constitution to
prevent the extension Of slavery into
new territory, ''and to let the oppressed
60 Free" will not be found Ieaguing it.
self with the spirit Of abolitionisin, to
carry on crusade against that institu-
ton, in those States where it is rccog-
nized as part of the law Of the land
In connection with this subject, ! will
state, that have a copy of the Baltimore
american of the 18th inst. before me, a
paper ably conducted, patriotic in IFS de-
votion to the Union, and warm advo-
cate of the present Administration, which
asserts that 'Gen. Cass has taken his
stand upon the ground assumed nv Pres
ident Taylor. with regard to the subject