Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-06-05

also to respond to any call that may be made
upon US by the Federal Government for aid
in repelling assaults from within or from with
out, upon that glorious Union of States OF
which we now form component part.
Believing as do that strict regard for
the reserved rights of the States is lndispen
sa3le to the perpetuatiOn of Our free in
stitutions shall consider tiny duty jealously
to guard against any resisted encroachments
upon the rights of the people of Minnesota,
should be attempted from any quarter. 1t
has been held by many of our most profound
statesmen, that the greatest peril to which
the Union is exposed, is 10 be found in the
tendency of the General Government to con-
solidate power not intended to be granted by
the trainers of the Cons,itui ion in its own
hands. And their efforts have been directed
to preserve the individual States from the
evil effects of such ,ntralization. Happy
indeed would it be for the country, if the
Federal Government was very much restrict
ed in its patronage and power, and itself con.
fined to the limited objects for which il was
created. If this desirable result could be cb-
tanned, the public morals would be improved
the principal fountain of political corrup-
tion closed, and harmony and good order
would take the place of these conflicts Of
jurisdiction between the Federal and State
authorities which so often bring disrepute
upon our system of government.
| The doctrine of non-interventiOn on the
part of the United States, or ot one State,
with the domestic affairs of any other State
or Territory, embodies the only safe and cor
rect principle. 1t is in fact, the corner stone
of the Union, and it's observance in all cases
would put an end to the interminable dis.
putes which row agitate Congress, ard divide
| the two great sections of the confederacy in.
| to opposing factions The vexed Kansas
| question has at length been withdrawn from
the arena OF national politics, and however
much opinions may be divided as to the
mode of settlement, every patriot should re-
joice that subject so fraught with peril to
the peace of the country, has been referred
| back for adjustment to the people of the Ter
| ritory, by whom it is best understood and can
most easily be solved.
One of the most serious defects in our Con-
sttution in my Judgment, is the, facility it
| affords for its own amendment. A bare ma
| jorlty of the members of the two Houses of
| the Legislature may at any session, without
| the sanction of the Governor, propose altera-
tions or additions, which, if adopted by vote
OF the people at an ensuing election, become
part of the fundamental law. In no other
State Of the Union have so few checks been
thrown around her Constitution. IF the Or
ganic law can be changed or modified with
almost as much facility as any ordinary stat
utOry enactment it will cease to command the
respect due to so solemn and important an
| instrument the provisions Of which should
be placed beyond the reach of feverish and
| temporary excitement. The "Magna Char
ta'' of the rights and liberties of the people
of sovereign State ought to be held sacred
against innovation, until tine and experience
shall have clearly demonstrated the necessi-
ty of change. 1t is not. indeed, to be ex-
pected that the Constitution of our State is
so perfect as not to require modification in
some of its particulars but amendments
should only be made when obviously de.
manded by the public interest or convent
| ence.
The foregoing remarks are not intended
to apply to any propositions which have
been passed upon by the people, or are now
pending before the Legislature, or to express
an opinion upon their merits or demerts-
They are dictated, simply, by a conviction,
in the abstract, that the public safety re-
quires, that more conservative and perma-
nent character should be affixed to our con-
stitution.
We have taken our place in the confede-
racy under auspicious circumstances. The
wise and patriotic administration of JAMES
BUCHANAN has elevated our national :char
acter, and cast a broad shield of protection
over our cOuntrymen in foreign lands. With
the single exception of Utah, in which Terri
tory the fanatical Mormons have essayed to
raise the standard of rebellion against the
General Government, peace reigns through
out the length and breadth of our common
country. Having no entangling alliances
with other nations, the United States is left
free to pursue its own policy, and to work
out its own destiny.
| Minnesota enters the Union as the thirty
second State. She extends friendly hand
to all her sisters, Corth and south, and gives
them the assurance that she joins their ranks
not to provoke sectional discord or to en-
gender strife-nOt to enlist in a crusade
against such Of them as differ with her in the
character of their domestic institution-but
to promote harmony and good will, and to
lend her aid, on all occasions, in maintaining
the integrity of the Union.
Having been elected to the high position of
Chief Magistrate of the new State of Mime
sata, enter upon the discharge of the d1ties
devolvng upon me, with much diffidence of
my own abilities. but with full conscious
ness that they will be honestly performed.
Expecting to be held to rigid accountable
ty for the course of my administration, shall
exact from those officials for whose actions
may be in any manner responsible, an equally
strict execution of the trusts that may be
imposed upon them.
For nearly twenty-four years have been
a resident of what is now the State of Min
nesota, and l have watched each change in
the condition of the country up to its present
stage of Development, with much solicitude.
have no objects and no interests which are
not inseparably bound up with welfare of the
the State, and it is my highest ambition so to
conduct her public affairs, that. when my off
cal term shall expire, there will be found no
blot on her escutcheon, and no departure, for
which can be made justly responsible, from
mocratic policy, which have been the means,
under Providence, of placing the American
Onion in the high position it now holds in the
estimation Of the world.
After the reading of the above, the Con-
vention adjourned, the Senators retired, and
the House re-aSsembled.
PRINTING SIBLEY's SPEECH"
| Mr.. CHASE offered q resolution that 1000
copies of the Governors message be printed
for the use of the House.
Mr.. SHEETz offered an amendment reducing
the number to 200. Lost, yeas 81, nays 33.
Mr.. KEITH moved to amend so as to make
the number 500 Lost-ayes 80, nays 29
The motion of MIR. Chase was then adop-
ted.
Mr.. SrARKEY moved that 500 copies be
printed in the German language. Agreed
to.-Ayes 81, nays l3.
Mr.. STARKEY also moved to print 500 cop
les in the Norwegian language. Agreed to-.
Mr. STEVENS moved to print 500 copies in
the French language. Agreed to.-Ayes "a,
nays l6.