The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-09-16
Letter from Stearns eounty-Grand
Rally Of the Democracy.

Correspondence of the Pioneer oHd DemOcrGt
ST. CLOUD, Sept Z, 1859.
The announcement that General SHIELDS
and Mr.. GRAHAM, the Democratic nominee
for Congress, would address the people Of
St. Cloud, drew together crowded audience
last night at Wilson's Hail. The ladies
honored the meeting by their presence, and
there was much enthuiasm.
The speaking was commenced by MIR.
GRAHAM, who, in clear and candid manner
illustrated the folly and evil of the sectional
theories of the Republicans in regard to
slavery, as compared with the national and
constitutional policy of the Democratic par
ty. The objects of the latter party compre-
hended the welfare of the entire country, and
its brotherhood extended to every corner of
the confederacy. On the contrary the Repub-
lican party had existence only in enc section
of the Union and its vital element and source
of existence were war on the other section
of the Union. 1t lived by inhaming pref
udices. It had not benefited slave; but
the agitation which it was responsible for
and had continued, had divided great re-
ligious denomination and tended to disunion.
The Methodfsts Lad been able to refer their
differences to the Supreme Court, but what
tribunal could settle the differences of the
North and South in case of disunion ?
What arbiter would there be, except civil
war? He spoke OF the Homestead Bill and
showed that the Democratic party had years
ago recognized the Homestead principle
and would be induced to extend it to the
people of Minnesota. The bill called
Mr.. Grows however, had it passed, would
have reached scarcely any of the lands in
Minnesota. 1t applied only to lands which
were subject to private entry. There was
difference between lands subject to pre-emp-
ton and lands subject to private entry.
Presumption rights attached before the lands
were offered for public sale and even before
a survey; but no lands were subject to
"private entry" until they had been offered
at public sale. Your lands in this District
on this (west) side of the Mississippi, said
Mr.. GRAHAM, have not been offered at public
sale and there are none subject to private
entry. And the bill about which there is
so much clamor would not helped the set
tiers in Minnesota. He was anxious to
have Homestead act passed that would
benefit the people of this State,-one more
liberal, and he would use his best exertions
for such an one. The Democrats of this
State had done all they could toprevent the
proposed sale of public land, and he had no
doubt it would be postponed. He spoke
upon other topics with good effect and was
listened to with close attention and cordially
applauded. Mr.. GRAHAM's reputation as
an experienced and faithful Receiver of a
Land Office had preceded him here. He
makes first rate western stump speech.
The impression he made was that he was
thoroughly posted in political matters, and
as an old fashioned Democrat, would attend
to the interests of the people of Minnesota
10 Congress with zeal and fidelity.
General SHIELDS was next introduced
and was received with that hearty applause
which should greet man who carries with
him, marks Of heroic service in the camp,
and is distinguished for pre- eminent abilities
as statesman. He spoke for two hours,
and held the rapt attention of the audience,
as only an eloquent orator can l shall not
undertake to report his speech. He dis
cussed our State matters IN an unequivOcal
and bold manner. The Democrats were
opposed to reputation they had taken the
only effectual position to remedy our finan-
cial difficulties, which was left for honest
men, and men who loved their State, to take.
He would make good the bonds that were
now out and issue not dollar more of the
five million. The Republicans said they
would not repudiate honest debts, but like
trucking demagogues, the leaders of that
party had failed to specify what bonds they
considered honest and what dishonest. They
really meant to repudiate, but dared not
openly to avow their purpose. They also
preached economy, but where had they given
reliable assurance they would practice it
Was it when their party had possession of
the lower house of Congress and corruption
became common and bold? Was it then
when they had to expel members of their
party for corruption?
General SHIELDS showed that our present
public land system had been developed un-
der the influence of Democratic policy, and
had received the opposition of the dis
tributionists who had favored speedy sales
of the public lands at auction, and ig-
nored the interests of actual settlers. The
present Republican nominee for Governor,
had while member of Congress from Penn
sylvania, acted with the distribntionists and
voted against the decrease of the price of
of public lands, but now he claimed exclu-
sive sympathy for the settlers, and even
awaited himself of choir to sing the song
of the poor pre-emptor.
General SHIELDS said the Republicans in
Congress has used the Homestead Bill as
club to destroy the appropriation bills, and
alluded to their factions course in causing
the defeat OF the splendid appropriation for
mail service from st. Paul to Puget Sound.
He also referred to the sniveling complaints
of the Republican politicians about unfair
ness in the last election for State officers, and
heir refusal to contest on the ground that
they could not confide in Democrtic Court
He administered severe rebuke, in strain
of splendid invectiye, for their misrepresenta-
ton and defamation of the Supreme Court
on account of the bred Scott decicion. He
INDICATED the principle of the Kansas Ne
braska act. 1t would appear that instead Of
slavery being extended north of the Nilsson.
ri Compromise line, the territory south of it
would be opened to freedom. He eulogized
the Democratic party for its honest and
bold adherance to the Constitution. 1t
never connived at clamor, or wavered be-
tho of +b~ o;v,ol