The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-05-22


he attained that the project of arraying the
people Of Minnesota against each other up-
der the old party standards would be suci-
dial, and tend to deprive US Of the sympathy
aud aid, OF one or other Of The powerful POI
litical divisions into which the American
Congress is separated--an that the true
policy of the Territory consists in non-ii.
reference with national politics, at least un-
III the sectional questions which have REM
the two-pariies into fragments shalt I've dis
posed of, then. will il he equally the duty OF
every gOod citizen to resist all attempts al
present organic ,lion. propose to glance
mt the present condition OF parties in The
States, particularly in connection with the
new issues which the progress of events has
forced upon them. .T..'n
The principal questions which now agi-
tate and distract both parties, are those vI
The tariff, the power of Congress to improve
rivers aud harbors, and of free soil. Il the
votes cast during the late session Of Con
gress lac examined, il will be found that up
ON these topics there WAS no unity Of action
or opinion among the Democrats, and as
little among the Wings. The old disc,p.
line of party organization ceased to produce
its wonte.i effects, and every man ''did that
which was right in his own eyes" Nor
can il be said with propriety that any OF
these coniroverted points have been settled
or that they will not constitute SO great n
bone of contention, as actually To prevent
The regular party nomination Of PresidcIl-
tial candidate for 1882.
The Baltimore platform of 1914, il is W. II
known cannot now unite the Democracy,
unless very essentially modified, ami new
principles introduced. Should a National
Convention of that party he held, The South
ern delegates will he instructed To require a
distinct admission from the North, that
Congress has no power 10 lcgiSlaIe upon
the subject of slavery within The Territories
Or to improve rivers and harbOrs, except
so far as specially granted by the navy pow
err in the Constitution. Does any sane man
believe that the free soil Democracy Of New
York, Ohio, and other States will concele
The former, or the Webster Democracy the
latter point: Let past experience and OBJ
srrvatIon answer The question.
In Pennsy lvania, the tariff issue will en-
ter largely into the next contest, and unless
the Democratic party advocates a modifca-
ton Of the tariff of 1886, so as To increase
the duties upon coal, iron AMI other articles,
there is every reason TO suppose that it can
not be successful. Aud yet any such mo,ii-
fication will he resisted 10y the South and
West almost to man. In view Of these
differences, the reasonahleness of which can
not he denied, and of the fact that the lines
Of dernarcation between the OLD parties are
less plainly marked at thi. day, than they
have heen for the last fifty years, new s. un-
settled questions having pushed the former
Issues '.from their Stools" al least for the
time--where would ask is The wisdom, or
policy, or The necessity of few thousand
people in an infant Territory precipitating
into the political cauldron, be-
fore the parties to which they respectively
belong shall have settled upon fixed poll
cy which may embrace all mooted points,
and prepared for a renewal of the contest
upon basis which every man can under
stand! We claim for the Democratic par
~, that it is a progressive party, equal to
every exIgency which may arise, and as
earthquakes and storms are necessary for
the publication of the physical world, so
must we expect periodical uphenving Of
the masses, to test and regulate the great
principles of that school of which Jefferson
was the founder, and Of which many Of US
are the disciples.
y ,r is the Wing party in less distract
ed condition than its opponents. The same
questions have dissolved the bond of union
which held them together. and il is alto
,ether probable that the differences which
exist are of character so irreconcilable, as
o preclude any nomination for the Presi-
iency, which will receive unanimous or
hearty support from the members Of that
party.
Those Democrats in the Territory who
ire in favor of an immediate organization,
would do well to reflect before they place
themselves in position, which may in some
aspects prove antagonis,ical to that plat
Orin, sooner or later to be erected by the
National Democratic Party, for The guild
nee OF all It's component parts. For if you
'rgaDiZe, you must lay down your pro-
!rau,me OF principles, which must nece. sa-
lily embrace all the agitsiing topics Of the
lay. You must enunciate your opinions
learly upon the powers of Congress IN re-
I'ect to slavery, and the construction of
works of Internal improvement. aud other
ssurs which are now matters Of strife in
he Democratic ranks. Unless you do this
these questions will be forced
pon you by your opponents. If you do
ot construct a platform of principles 10y !
Which the Democracy can abide, aud meet
ss"uliS from every quarter, your organiza-
on will be defective, incomplete, and in ef- |
sct no organization at all. The time is
asst when men will follow political leaders,
'ihout first ascertaining whittier they are
, he led. rejoice that it is so, AMI that
'merican citizens of every political creed
re not disposed longer to pin their faith to
ne sleeves Of protested politicians; but will
eason and Judge for themselves.
Democracy, in its true sense, exacts no
lind homage from its followers. 1t invites
ne critical examination of its principles 10y
u men, as the enbodiement of political
uihs of Il practical character, under the
'fluence of which the mind of the citizen
elevated 10 "A correct perception Of his .Iu-
es and obligations 10 his fellows, as well
!. TO himself. Individuals who combine to
'ake war upon those who are engaged in
roper vocation, or to deprive any class Of
tizens OF their civil or political rights, are
ot and cannot be Democrats. The very
ature and essence OF pure Democracy, IN
Dive the extensionIof the elective franchise
ID of every other political privilege to all
tizens alike. 1t regards the rich and the
Dor, the professional man and the mechan-
, the merchant and the laborer, the learn .
and the ignorant, as occupying the same ,
osItIon, and secures TO each and all the b,
me rights, and equal protection in the