The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-04-11

SS&ss@~~~
Athan is given in any other journal in the Ter
rtlory. We trust our friends will note these
fscts. and endesvor to add sufficient num-
Der of paying names to our subscription list
to make this new enterprise paying one.
Our Summers Work.
A convention to form a constitution LOT
the State of Minnesota is to assemble on
the second Monday of July ensuing. The
election of delegates to that convention takes
place, by provision Of the act OF Congress- on
the first Monday in June That body Will
be composed, under the present apportion-
ment of Representatives in the Legislative
Assembly, of one hundred and eight mem
bers; to be elected the same as members OF
the Council and House are now elected, with
the exception that in the districts where the
people have elected one Councillor they
will elect two delegates to the convention
The multiplying system by the figure two al
90 extends to the number of members IN the
House.
This is the spirit of the Enabling Act;
and will doubtless be its Interpretation by
all parties and all tribunals, unless differ
ent system of apportonment should be made
by Territorial law previous to the election OF
delegates in June. The law of Congress pro-
vides that the delegates shall be elected by
representative districts as provided by the
law of Minnesota at the time of their cleo
ton. We quote the substance, and not the
words.
The Enabling Act of Congress is perfect
system in ITSELF 1t provides for the time
and manner of electing the delegates, and
instructs them as to what they must do after
they meet. If they first decide that Mime
sofa is to be State forthwith, they must
then take the Congressional proposition as
it stands, in all its parts, else the contract
ing party Of the first part is at liberty to re-
cede from the entire proposition. The first
question, (see third section Of tia act) to
be voted upon is: Will we (Minnesota) &C
cept the terms of Congress,-boundary lines
and all-and upon these terms form con-
,ttution and apply for immediate admission
into the Union. The boundary question
can no more lie segmented on this prelimi
nary vote of the convention, than could
man attempt with success to alter the con-
'ideration Of an agreement in covenanted
Iced affecting the conveyance of real estate
without the consent Of all parties concerned.
The boundary of the future State is q part Of
tbe bargain by which the nation allows Min
nesota to apply for admission into the Union
1t is true, we have the privilege, as genu-
inc yankees, Of attempting 'dicker" upon
this question. We may accompany our con-
-titution with Memorial to Congress asking
her to alter the proposed boundaries from
North and South to East and West and we
run, in revolutionary spirit, adopt the ultra
"Squatter Sovereign" ground, and say our
boundaries shall be just where we please to
make them.
Will we attempt it9 We feel certain
nothing of the kind will take place, judging
from the signs indicated by the true senti-
ment of the Republican party of the Terri
tory. Party lines will be drawn in the election
IF delegates and it is our purpose to aid
this desirable end. We wish to see the la
bors of our Republican friends in Congress
who alone saved the enabling act from
being crushed by the Slave Oligarchy-car-
ried out TO its final letter. An attempt to
cucumber our Constitution with remon-
STRANGE against any one Of the conditions of the
enabling act, will only afford new, and. in
the next Congress, in all probability. a more
successful weapon in the hands of the Slave
Power to keep us out indefinitely. We have
run the chances Of defeat once too often al
ready, and were only saved by the sagacity
Of John p. Hale and the integrity of our
true Republicans in the Senate. Let us
take no more risks in this uncertain adven-
ture.
1t would be useless for US to deny that we
have, for the past three months, been " i'll at
ease concerning the position which the Re
publican party of Minnesota would assume
on this all-important question. Were we to
attempt to deny this fact, our files would
most fully prove our own qualification. New
lights were exhibited in the council rooms OF
the party, and strange fires were burned
upon the alters consecratcd to its political
faith. The absurdity that we could force the
nation into adopting any boundary line VIC
pleased, was dinned into the the ears of 9TH
erwise sensible men of the party until they
absolutely believed-or appeared to believe
that such really was true.
But wise and considerable thought, under
less exciting circumstances than surrounded
those men during the session Of the Legisla-
ture, is fast graduating the error. From every
quarter We hear the most encouraging ac-
counts that the Republicans of Minnesota
will be UNITED on the first Monday in June.
They should be united; for they have in
their hands the destiny of Minnesota as a
Free State.
1t is idle to talk about having no politics
in the Convention. 1t will be all politics.
As we now stand in party line, arrayed
against Power which would send Human
Slavery into our very midst tomorrow. if it
Jared, why not be prepared for the conflict
early prepared, as thoroughly organized
host Of freemen, to meet our enemies and
yanauish them in the first battle?
The present tone of the Republican press
of the Territory, so far as has met our eye
during the past week, is truly encouraging.
The Minnesota Republican, with which we
have had, as we think, just cause of differ
ence in regard to State questions, came out
la xs-oalr nv, tho riphf e;Jo IT,. D.-.,lI: