The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-07-31

10 the last numbss vi tho ST. Peter Courier,
we find an address delivered al 81. Peter. 90
thu Atb inst. by Hop. CHAKLE1 4. FLAsssAu.
We take the liberty Of quoting from Mr.. Pa.
eloquent and intcr~tiuy Grafton, the following
truthful cxirsc,
II there Is one spring which might disorder
the harmony of our Institutions. II Is fitIng
and proper that at this time II should be point
I'd out. The uures,rained liberty oi thought,
spcecb, and the public press, enjoyed 10 this
country, naturally engeDders strong feeling,
and lends unnatural beat and animation u our
political struggles. Interesting qacstions agh
tate the public mind sometimes concerning do
nestle institutions, som,times religion. aud
generally involving important principles and
frequently the interests Of large portions Oh
the Union. Nothing is more IN concert with
the theory Of our Institutions. than that every
question Of moment should be fully discussed
and caDvassed by the people. and 10 the PEG
pie, that an intelligent Judgment may he passed
upon II by the people. who are the last triba-
nal on all questions; AMI which side socrer re-
ceises the approval Of majority Of oil, should
prevail. This In by common consent--this has
been with few exceptions, acquiesccd 10 by
all since our earliest bistory-under this We
have prospcred and mnst continue 10 prosper.
There is nothing more liable To h. wrong
and more frequently reversed by the people
| than their own expressed will. Our history
abound with instances Of whole states being a.
most unanimous in their approval OF some meas.
orc OF public policy one year, and the next
striking IL from their statute book with equal
unanimty--of their one year, denouncing some
public mau as a traitor 10 his cause, and the
| next eieyating hun 10 posts oi honor. These
suggestions are made TO show that the ouly
safe correction for the errors Of the people, and
those they place in power, is by the calm eN.
/ ercise Of reason, which. working 10 people
| like ours will always ensure success, while tu.
| multuous exhibitions Of rage and resort Ia
! force 10 resist tho Expressed will Of the peope
mast hail Of It's purpd~e, and will result IN civil
s.r.a.-ss3 he-tIs.ss.c.soa al or chsr..shed lib
critics. There never was period IN our bsto-
ry when party strifc ran higher than ut the
! prcseBt-thcre never were questions before thu
| American public more fruitful OF dlscori and
turbulence than those that now engage then
attcntion--and never have those question,
from the magnitude OF the interests involved
which required more calm thought, more stl
restraint aud dependence on the cool judgment
Of the people tor their succesAp solution.
Acts Of violence have been committed. mel
who should have breatbed a prayer to IIeaye,
Tor peace, have rushed 10 arms. The nation Il
trembling with MI unnatural excitement, civi
war soeu,s 10 threaten US with It's untold evils
Men who owe their high positions TO the I'm
ion aud the constitution, are estimating ib,
value Of their continuance. | would charge OF
none reasonable motives but attribute all u
our overheat,d nal in the pursuit of scme Ia
vorite theory or meaairc but fellow citizen
the only safe course il 10 lrown down all meI
Of whatever party or crecd who would place
the integrity Of our Union aud constitution III
the balance against oil else beside. rs danger
Gus enthusiasts. or traitors To their country.