The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-02-07
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lived in the benighted days Of Jefferson

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And how humiliating it is to reflect ths
our fathers reposed confidence in these mel
elevated them to the highest Office in tn
gift Of a free people, and that these recip
ents of the nations homage, died profoundl
ignorant of the great principles Of huma
rights which have since they were gathered
their fathers, and in our enlightened tim
made the people of Kansas, peaceful, pros
porous and happy-the pride and gem of tn
earth!
That this immortal conception, of "Leav
ing the people perfectly free, to regulate thei
own affairs in their own way" has BEEF
raised up in Kansas, like as the brazen ser
pent was lifted up in the wilderness, tina
whatsoever looketh thereon shall be healed O
all civil and political inflrmities-may liv,
and not die. Some politicians forget, tina
while they are playing the cameleon, tn,
constitution remains the same, that while i
is to the demagogue stumbling block" i
is, has been, and ever should be, the patriot
hope, the statesman's pride, the nation
glory. That in times of trouble it has served
as the "cloud by day and the pillar of fir,
by night.'
That it is adapted to our wants in every
stage of our national career, that like the
cherubiums in the temple of God, on Mount
Moriah, it hath spread its protecting wings
over our people from the Atlantic to the Pa.
cific, that while we are thus gathered and
protected, "none can modest or make us
afraid" that if we would that it be well
with us in the latter days, we will see to it.
that the constitution of our fathers shall be
the constitution of their children.
If the American people desire any other
or further experiments in s'squatter sover-
eighty" or would fix upon orr national
esceutcheon, stains more deep or damned
than those inflicted by Shay's Instruction,
the whisky rebellion in Pennsylvania, nulifi
cation in South Carolina, the Toledo war,
DORIS Rebellion the Anti-Renters Of
New York, and the Kansas Nebraska bill,
together with the disgracefIl scenes of VIC
lence and blood which have been it's legai-
mate results, may God in his wisdom grant
that Minnesota shall not be the scene of its
action.
If our people must indulge these propens-
ties, let the scene of action be as far removed
from us as possible repair to Graytown,
lombard it afresh, murder few more ne
groes, steal their Bungoes, turn fillibusters
"extend the area of freedom" by joining
Walker, and leave it to the Judgment of pos
terity, after rejecting upon the chronicles of
these times, to say whether perpetual muta-
ton in our laws, perpetual corruption, perpe-
heol railroad and bank charters, and the stock
in trade for doing these jobs, and the intamy
resulting therefrom, shall, or shall not, con-
stitute our immortality?
1t appears to be the vandalic opinion of
some, that instead of Minnesota being ad-
mitted by the nation into its confederacy in
accordance with the constitution and usage
of our government, that Minnesota after
defining her oacn boundaries, shall declare her.
self sovereign State, and admit herself into
the Union. How these gentlemen arivea at
this conclusion: livingas they do in "commu-
nifty" not constituting State within this con-
federacy or out of it, nor State, kingdom or
empire, Independent Of IL, but constituting an
integral part of the Republic, in VIII Oh every
citizen of the nation is interested. Having
lived under the protertion of the general
government, shared its bounty, claimed its
protection, acknowledged it's dominion, and
recognized its right to govern and dispose
of its territory--the Territory of Minnesota
since the day Of our territorial being how
these gentlemen who have thus lived and
thus acted, and who we'll know that no
court or functionary can issue process
touching the rights of any human being
within the whole length and breadth of our
Territory, not involving the sum of ten cents
except such process run Sin the name of the
United States" the only name under heaven
whereby, in Minnesota, we have ever uttered
single legal or constitutional truth-en-
forced right or defended a wrong, how
these gentlemen can thus live, speak, act and
oote, and at the same time take and subscribe
solemn oath upon the altar of their God
to support the constitution and laws of the
Uuited States, and under the sanction o.
such, and in accordance with the laws Of
Congress passed in virtue thereof, actually
engage in the discharge of the trust reposed
in them as the representatives of the people
receive their per diem from the federal treo.
sury, give their receipt for the same
then turn round and vote themselves free
from and Independent of the nation whose
servants they are or ought to be, seems
strange to those who have been taught tc
venerate the genius of our government, and
pride themselves in its eternal and unchang.
ing principles. admit that the public wea
is sometimes badly cared for by Congress
yet l am opposed to the abolition of thai
body by the Legislature of Minnesota. Il
is certain that conflict is now waged be-
tween Congress and our Legislature. Which
is to yield? have these bodies concurrent
jurisdiction of the same subject? If the,
have, which shall-which must Weld thi: