The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-06-03

Believing, as do, that q strict regard for
the reserved rights of the States is indis.
ponsablc 10 the perpotuation u our free in
sututions, ! shall consider il my duty jcal-
ousy toguard against aud resisted encroach.
ments upon the rights Of the people Of Min
mesota. should such be attempted from any
quarter. II has been held by many OF our
most profound statesmen, that the greatest
peril TO which the Union is exposed. is TO be
found in the tendency OF the General Gov-
ernmen, TO consolidate power, not intended
to bc granted by the trainers Of the Consti.
tuition. in its own hands. And their efforts
have BEEN directed to preserve the individual
States from the evil effects Of such central
iaation, Happy indeed would it bc for the
country, II the Federal Government was
very much restricted in its patronage and
| power, and itself confined 10 the limited oh
| jects for which il was created. II this de-
slrahle result could he attained, the public
morals would BE- improved--thc principal
fountain OF political corruption closod and
harmony and good order would take the
pluce Of those conflicts Of jurisdiction bo
tween the Federal and State authorities
which 10 often bring disrcputc upon our sys'
ten Of government.
The doctrine oi non intervention ON the
part Of the United States, or Of one State,
with the domestic affairs Of any other State
or Territory, cmbodies the only sale and cor.
rect principle. II IL, in fact, the corner,
stone Of the Union, and lis observance Ia all
eases would put an end 10 the intermnable
disputes which now agitatc Congress, and
IA ptI H., tI.,s ,.n r
oiiey INTO orFJsihg tdc,iofia ifo vast
Kansas question has n, length been with
drawn from the arena Of national politics
and however much opinions mny he divided
IN to the mode Of settlement, every patriot
should rejoice that u subject 80 fraught with
peril 10 the peace OF the country, has been
referred back foe adjustment to the people Of
the Territory, 10y whom il IL best understood
aud can most easily be solved.
One If the most serious defects in our
Constitution. in my judgment, IL the inciIiiy
II Affords Tor III own amendment. bare
majority oi the members Of the two Houses
OF the Legislature may. at any session, with
out the sanction 81 the Governor, propose
alterations Or additions, which, il adopted
bya vote of the people n, nm ensuing cleo
ton. become part Of the fundamental law
In 40 other State oi the Union have 40 few
checks been thrown around her Constitu.
ton. II the organic law can be changed or
modified with almost ~ much facility ~ my
ordinary statutory enactment IL viii cease 10
command the respect due TO 40 solemn and
important an instrument, the provisions Of
which should G placed beyond the reach Of
ieverisl, and temporary excitement, Tho
"Magua tharta Of the rights and libcr
ties Of the people ola sovereign State ought
20 be held sacred against innovation, until
time aud experience shall have clearly do
monstrn,cd the necessity Of n change, II ~
not, indeed, TO be expected that tho Constr
tuition 81 our State is 80 perfect M MT to
require modification IN some oi its particn
lars. bnt amendments should only be made
when obviously demanded by The public IN.
tcrcst or convenience.
The foregoing remarks are not intended
10 apply 10 any propositions which have
been passed upon by the people, or are now
pending before the legislature or 10 express
M opinion upon their merits or dement's.
They arc dictated simply, by conviction,
IN the abstract. that the public safety re-
| qnires, that more conservative aud pcrma
ncnt character should be affixed 10 our con
stituti0n.
We have taken our place in the conied
eracy under anspcious circumstances. The
wise and patriotic administration Of JAMES
BrcuAsAs has elevated our national char
meter, AMI cast broad shield Of protection
over our countrymcn in foreign lands. With
the single exception Of Utah. in which Ter
rtory the fanatical MorInons have e@hycd
10 raise the standard Of rebellion against
the General Government, peace reigns
throughout the length ard breadth VI our
common country Having no cntanglinp
alliances with other nations, the United
States " left free 10 pursue ts own policy,
and TO work out liz own destiny
Minnesota enters the Union az the thirty.
second State. She extends friendly hand
to all her sisters, north and south, and gives
them the assurance that she joins their ranks
not 20 provoke sectional discord OF 70 en-
gender strife not % cnlis, in Il crusade
against such Of them AZ differ with her 10 the
character u their domestic Institutions but
IL promote harmony and good will. and 10
lend her aid, on all occasions, In maintaining
the integrity Of the Union.
Having been elected 10 the high position
of Chief Magistrate of tb1 new State Of
Minnesota, ] enter upon the discharge 81
the duties devolying upon me, with much
diGdencc Of my own abilities, but with
full consciousness that they will b. honestly
performed. Expecting to be held 10 n rigid
accountability for the course Of my admin.
istra,ion, | shall exact from those official
lor whose actions may be 10 any manner
Responsible, nh equally strict execution Of
The trusts that may be imposed upon tlem.
For nearly twenty four years have been u
resident Of what IL now the State Of Mime
sota, and have watched each change in the
condition Of the country up 10 II. present
stage of Development with much solictude.
have no objects AMI no INTEREST," which are