The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-05-23
. For the Daily Minnesotian.
To the Friends of Liberty.

politics but though say and write little
Is to politics, nevertheless l al,caus have an
eye to the success Of righteous principles.
Let me therefore this once, depart from my
accustomed silence, and address you on a
theme that concerns the highest interests Of
our beloved country.
There is an election approaching us, by
far the most important ever held in the Ter
ritory. Time and circumstances have re-
Gently made known to us that Minnesota
will so have to assume the relations and
responsibilities of sovereign State. BY an
emigration unparalleled in the history of the
Western country, has this rapid develop
ment been brought about and though un-
precedented, our Territory is settled by in
tellgent, and, in the main, well educated
people. These people, who have adopted a
new home to love, cherish and build up
and beautify, should have character as
liberal as minds untainted by the foul
breathings Of the slave oligarchy could
make il.
To the majority, perhaps, this election is
important in this one fact only, viz, the
framing of constitution, and, consequent
ly, transit to the position of State. To
many, the mere thing to be obtained is Of
vastly more Importance than anything else,
whereas very great disregard is often shown
as to who shall be the representatives or de-
legates for procuring the thing desired.
These comprise the floating, Auctuatng pop
ulation-purchasable often for a song-yet
as often productive Of mighty results.
Therefore, voters, the most important
question that now should attract your at
tention is, who sh4ll be the trainers of our
State Charter?
We want all sound men in our Constitu-
tional Convention !
We want no dishonest ones there
We want no fanatics there
We want no bigots there
We want no men there in whose bosoms
the fire of liberty burns less fervently than
in those of our chlvalrous fathers of '76!
We want body of men there who can
unite in love, union and harmony by the af-
finity of intelligence, kindness and liberal
principles
We want body Of men there thorough
ly and honestly Republican, thoroughly and
honestly Democratic, in the true sense of that
term-men who can say, with the immortal
Jefferson, that they believe " all men are
born free and equal = and who can boldly
say, they believe the American Republic was
established on just such broad basis,
which implies that every being wearing the
human form, and the likeness of God, shall
be free.
Minnesota ought to be Republican. She
is Republican if every voter will do his duty.
Minnesota should take her place beside her
sister States-the Republican States of the
North for from them she has been mostly
settled, and should in her infancy portray
unqualified opposition to slavery extension,
much rather than mean vassalage to the
promoters of that abominable evil.
Democracy is not now what it once was,
if the meaning Of that word has changed as
much as the party. No; the party pos
sesses the name but does not deserve it.
For them to claim it. is a scandal on the
broad declaration of rights-the Magma
Charta-that guarantees to us liberty. Who
ever belongs or desires to belong to that
party, must endorse the sentiments of the
great leaders, one of which is that slavery
is national" Pure democracy with ven
geance Such should be the standard of
our republic, that whatever becomes nation
al, should be hailed as glorious. Who so
base as to hold that slavery is glorious ?
No it is not national, or we cease to be
republic. 1t is dangerous, outrageous pa
rasite that has fastened itself upon u.s. is
sucking out our life blood, and is neverthe-
less loved and nourished by those who should
be the foremost to make our country what
it was destined to be-purely free.
Furthermore, the actions Of the present
administration are, if possible, more alarm
ing than those Of the preceding. Many of
its appointments show that it regards the
interests CT slavery nsurpation and slavery
extension as demanding its assiduous care.
Border Ruffianism still exists-exi>ts. be-
cause it is nourished and acquiesced in. Be-
gus laws and Illegal taxes are imposed upon
a suffering people by the secret machina-
tions of the same domneering party, and it
is apparent that q fair portion of the West
ern Territory is to become the property OF
the slave mirions. Southern favorites and
Southern principles find Judgment in the
bosom Of the great National Democratic
party and slavery extenson-by fair or
foul meons-is its great watchword That
this is so, appeal to the world to substan-
tiate-I appeal to the candid of all parties.
What: therefore, can We hope from the Dem
ocratic party should it become predominant
in Minnesota Nothing more, Sirs, that an
important abetting of that evil, the most
monstrous that can be imagined.
What, you ask, has all this to do with the
approaching election ? What has it to do
with the framing Of the Constitution 2 What
further has it to do with the future welfare OF
Minnesota Why should we now trouble
ourselves with the excitement in Kansas OF
the rottenness of party? To these ques
tons one answer will suffice. 1t will give
better reputation to Minnesota-make i
known abroad that she is thoroughly Re
publican. Do you not believe. Sirs, that nj
greater blessing could happen to kansa
than for her to be free That will be onl
by the pc: severance of Republican sent
ment. Let Minnesota be governed by
similar sentiment. Her voice will then coun
for freedom-for righteousness will coun
one link in the great chain of states linke