The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-10-28
Scrvtle The Reason and
the justification for Southern Senti.
ment and Action.


ment and Action.
One of the prominent charges made by
Northern Abolitionists against the South,
is the intolerance which is there manifested
against those who hold and express views in
opposition to the institution Of slavery. The
Abolitionist claims that he has right to
utter his sentiments anywhere, and work out
his opinions ihto acts anywhere, in the
South as we'll as the North, and without re-
gard to their inevitable ultimate effects upon
southern life as well as Southern property.
The Southerner, in answer to this, points to
the several instructions which have oc.
Cured during the last twenty years, since
Aboltionism became aggressive, as the
logical results of the missionary labors
of the Aboitionists in the Southern States.
The exceeding sensitiveness of the South
on this subject, which occasionally shows
itself by riding on rail some philanthropic
gentleman who only INDUCED in "free
speech to an extent greater than was
deemed safe, is thus accounted fer on that
most natural principle of self defence. A
Red Republican of the GOLD Brown"
stamp, thinks he is doing his duty" as
Brown said, in putting arms into the hands
of slaves, and in telling them to "strike
for liberty" He claims the exercise of
free speech" to slaves-the privilege of
circulating tracts" among slaves-of
preaching the gospel of liberty" to slaves
and of expressing the sentiments of
WASHINGTON and JEFFERSON, )" or his idea
OF those sentiments, to slaves. He does
these things, and the South having an
apprehension that {" free speech means
more than comes to light-that it means
what it ultimately results in, instruction,
murder, and bloodshed-gives the mission
ary of freedom notice to leave. And there
upon, howl is raised by all the Republican
presses of the North, about the great out
rage perpetrated upon /" free speech )" and
thus false and tanatical hatred is created
and stimulated against the South. The
Abolitionist is actuated in his conduct by
the fanaticism of morbid philanthropy,
which excites him against an institution for
which he is not morally nor legally RESPONSE
ole, and with which be has no right to in
terfere the Southerner is acuated bv fear
not merely for the safety of his property,
but for the security of the community, and
the lives of his family and himself. And
the Cumberland River Instruction of 1856.
and the Harper's Ferry instruction, just
strangled at its birth, show the basis and
pertinency of the Southern fear while they
furnish the reason for Southern sentiment,
and the justification for Southern action.
Let us make as near an application as our
circumstances will admit, of this whole
business to ourselves, and see whether, in
similar case, we would be likely to act more
tolerantly than the shareholders of the South.
Associations exist in some of the Eastern
cities, having for their object the ameiora-
tion of the condition of the Indian tribes
These associations have thus far prosecuted
their labors in very quiet manner, and by
very innocent means; and, if they have not
done the red race any good, neither have
they done the white race any harm. They
have simply afforded an opportu nifty for a
few tender old ladies and soft old gentlemen
to ventiate their philanthropy in manner
equally innocent and inexpensive. But
let these associations change their tactics,
and send their agents along our frontiers,
arguing and instilling into the minds of the
border tribes that they had been cheated out
OF their lands, and that it was their right to
reclaim them by driving off, or numbering
the settlers, and that these agents held it to
be their duty to aid and assist them in the
philanthropic work of extirpation. Let such
agents be found among the Indians of our
frontier, INDUCING after this fashion in the
inalienable right of free speech"--let few
Spirit Lake tragedies mark the success of
their labors-and does any one believe that
Minnesota would long remain more tolerant
of free speech" than Mississippi now is :?
Would not every scoundrel of them be hung,
without judge or jury, to the nearest tree !?
And would it avail these Indian philanthro-
pists that they were sincere in their love of
"justice," humanity" and the "rights of
man" and in their hatred of tyranny" and
OPPRESSION?
1t is time that this whole question of sla-
very, should be lifted out of the mists of
fanaticism in which it has been shrouded
by designing politicians and morbid phian-
thropists, into the clear light of justice and
common sense. And if the terrible tragedy
which has just been perpetrated at Harper's
Ferry. shall have the effect to demonstrate
to the country the danger and the madness
of the doctrine of the irrepressible con-
fict" between the North and the South, its
horrid scenes will not have been enacted in
vain.
LYNN, Mass, is celebrated for ladies' kid
| shoes. StOninrfon and RridpeWa ter for