The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-08-11
For the Pioneer.
ST. PAUL, Aug. 8, 1853.

ST. PAUL, Aug. 8, 1853.
Mr. fdsor: Permit me 10 occupy u portion Of YOUR
columns Tor the purpose of having plk" with the
Democratic voters Of this town. oa the subject of the
approaching election. And particularly allow me TO
say lew words to that portion of them who are from
P''ne1@e thorough going temperance men.
ion doubtless remember the fate Of the prohibitorv
law IN the last Legislature. You also have not Eor-
gotten, we thnk, h'w that law was defeated, and by
1hoss eofe. II we though, the names of those Hon
orao'e gentlemen had escaped your recollection,
would insert them here in staring capitals TO refresh
your memory. Many Of you, also. signed respect
in petition 10 that Honorable body praying for the
passage OF that hw-sinilar petitions were laid on
their table from every inhabitad portion Of the Terri
tory. To those petitions were appended the names
oil sober, respectable, and influential citizens Those
names 10 large extent composed the "toiling mil.
hons oi Minnesoia-ihe hardy inntermen-those
who shove the plane. and carry the hod, labor al
the bench, and follow the pow--men who had
risM TO demand Of Legislators who had gained their
position through their votes that their reasonable re-
quest should lie granted. Your request was denied.
ne petition OF less than one-third Of YOUR nuuber
scraped together in The rum holes of ST. Paul and
Saltwater, and eled by the addition Of names that
never had an eX'stenof save on paper, was granted
ard the law was defeated.
The minority who voted for that law in the Lcgis-
ature, were influenced in their course by the un,ns-
taxable Will of malorit, of the people. They did
their duty, and deserve the thanks of all sober hon
est citizens But II Is matter OF record that ma
Jor, OF that csisature thrust your petitions con-
iemptuously aside, and virtually gave you to under
stand that your wishes To be regarded hen
they conllicted with the interests Of gentlemen who
deal out whiskey for i've cents glass. Now we
wish to enquire why does this state Of things exist!
why have the Rumselicrs controlled two-thirds Of
the elections in 81. Paul, heretoiore! WHY have the
servants OF the people been afraid TO obey the will OF
the majority, expressed so plainly and emphaticaly
as II has been on THIS Liquor Law Why are there
Yet politicians seeking for office who vaine the good
viii and influence Of the GROCERIES on Third sire t.
more than the heart. and cordial support Of the moral
and sober mechanic and business mani II Is not be-
cause the Kummies compose ma jority OF citizens,
Tor every public move OF the for the last eigh
teen months has given unequiyOca denial to this.
The petitions of last winter show very different
state Of affairs.
We conceive the fault t. he at the door of TIE tenn
perance men-those Of them who mixing N the
ranks Of the politicians and who hold positions OF IN
lucnce in the party. They have been afraid To take
An open stand against the known wishes Of The Rum
seller. They have been fearful Of losing has vote
and have trusted To party drill, personal influence
TO secure the support Of temperance men for ticket,
on which their name and a rsmnie's stand side l.,
side. Hence the cry that the temperance question
should not be mingled with poitcs,-th 1t should
not be made requisite III selecting nominees, that
those nominees should obey the viii Of the people on
this, As on all other subjects. They anxious and
DESTROYS that he law should ne PASSED bat are Meth
ANXIOUS DESTROYS of risking their chances OF
oince or OF endangcring their influence in the party
by il too open or cordial suppnu OF the law. The
consequence Is that either out and out Rum ticket
Is nominated, or else Il mixture ot temperance men
and Rummlcs. and the friends e the prohibory law
are expected IN obedience To patty drill to support
that ticket. We, as much Thy, opposed 10
ENGRAVING the Maine Law upon the creed of the Dem
oclatic party-but We also opposed to making the
aN. fp,..e IA! HtIruh 's If ~
That this virtually has been attempted one can
deny. The ground has been taken that il is
~ To- place in Office who favorable 10 the
Enlistment OF doggeres on every street corner, m
order secure the influence of the establishments.
For one we opposed TO this. We do not believe
that it necessary for the existence success Of any
party. And If Rum politicians and temperance poll
t,cons viii ret learn this, Is time that those who
signed the petitions and those who support that law
had taught them the lesson. W hat DO gain 10y
tempor,1ing! /! the of the people remain quiet
for years III this natter do you suppose that politi-
clans viii ever raise hand to grant your wishes!
An important election - approaching 81. Paul
has voice in the election Of eight members Of the
approaching Legislature. We are satisfied that tderc
enough temperance voters here 10 elect eight men
Of the right stamp-and II should be done TIE
place 10 them is the Nominating Cauruses.
If yon do not attend these, rest assured that ticket
will be constructed that VIII not obey your wishes on
this subject. You will then have no alternative ex-
cepi 10 support that ticket ana thus desert tenn
perance principles, else refuse your support and
cut Yourself Oft from your party. Ii YOU allow your
selves TO be placed in this po-ito 1t will he your
FAULT and yours alone. We therefore hope that eve
" who signed those petitions, and every man
who claims to he friend If that law, will attend the
primary meetings, and east their united votes for
whom they hSotc viii be true to them.
Of the success of such ticket there can be
sonahle doubt. No contends that inajori-
y OF the people are opposed 10 that law. They know
better, and hence the anxiety keep the question
still. We DO not advise Won to desert your party. Ii
is not necessary 10 do Ga the contrary, cling
il, and while You contend for the principles Of that
party contend for men who viii carry ont Of the
best established of those prnciiaes, viz: ''Ihat the
minority have right TO rule, and right to instruct
through their petitions
We claim To be democrat, and claim right to
work and vote in the ranks of the party. We did
not obtain that right from any leader, and are not
disposed 10 surrender it al the bidding Of any one,
because contend in those ranks for The Of
temperance principles. We trust there are many in
that party who are not on, good democrats, bu. at
the same time ANTI-RUM.