Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-02-26
= Warrington Correspondenes-Cah
w ..Phelps and CavanaugA.

from the South. It will again open the whole
subject of African slavery if the friends of
the measure persist in keeping it before that
body, with what results, time alone can dis
close. ----- -----------.-----
p ! do not believe that the acquisition of Cuba
is sought after, or even desired by the Admin
istration. The attention of the country for
the past year has been fixed upon the Presi-
dent, and the reckless extravaganza of his
government. This national scrutiny must be
diverted. Great subjects must be brought
forward to engross the public mind. The
watch dogs of the Republic must be put upon
a false scent. All this reminds me of an an
ecdote in history, of certain despot, who
contemplated a new oppression for. his people,
and learning that his scheme had been par
tally detected, instantly published a terrific
decree, that all of the canine race, by GER
tain day, must lose their tails. The people
laughed at their own fears; the dogs suffered
amputation; suspicion went to sleep, and the
work of enslavement went on until the pur-
pose of the tyrant was accomplished.
This Cuban matter is but another dog-tail
trick. It is the work of cunning artizans,
fabricating false keys to reach the public
treasury. For such q robber as Caesar have
thousand times more patience and respect
When be had driven away Pompey, and
overturned the liberties Of the Roman Repub-
lie, he approached the public treasury like an
open plunderer, and demanded gold. When
the treasurer Metellus advised him to respect
the law, he laughed, and showed his sword.
No! mol it is not Cuba they want, but mon
ey money money! Thirty millions cleo
tioaeering fund! -.s'. ~ i .5' -sl
When the famous Madam Roland was
brought to the scafold, by. the democrats of
France, she turned and cast her eyes over
the multitude that surrounded her and ex-
claimed, Oh Liberty! what outrages are per-
petrated in thy name! And truly may we
exclaim, Oh Law! what outrages are perpe-
trated in thy name! .
Caesar pushed the treasurer, Metellus, aside
with his sword, and loaded his own Golfers
with the public plumber; the President asks
for legal weapon, that will be equally potent,
when drawn upon Mr.. Cobb.
Thirty millions of hard gold from the pub
lie treasury, and twenty millions more asses
sed, upon the public offices, will form the ba-
sis of the political capital for the next Presi-
dental campaign. This is the whole thing in
nutshell. 1t is folly to say they intend the
purchase of Cuba The President and his
friends very well understand how such things
have been, and should be conducted. They
know how we managed the purchase of Louis
lana, and were they in earnest there would
have been none Of this reckless staggering,
swelling and public clamor The President
| in confidential manner would have asked
for an additional appropriation of some fom
or five millions to the Foreign Intercourse
Fund. No offence to Spain, or Europe, could
have grown out of this, and if that sum would
not arrange the preliminaries of purchase,
thirty millions will not do it,
| ffiELfS AND CANANAUGH TRAINING.
Phelps and Cavanaugh arc young men in
spired with sentiments of lofty ambition
They feel the dignity, weight and awful re-
sponsibility of the place they occupy. They
have laudably resolved to spread a knowledge
of their existence throughout the country,
and are daily emulating each other Sin pur-
suit of knowledge under difficulties" All Of
which is exceedingly gratifying to their friends
in Minnesota.
The old Democratic veterans-some say
sinners,-have recently inaugurated an eve
ming debating club or political boxing school
at the Capital, over which they in turn pre-,
side, as did the Roman Consuls over the COM
bats of gladiators. Here such novices as
Phelps and Cavanaugh are trained in the
graceful art of attack and defence.
The first lessons in elocution were given bv
Barksdale, Lunar and other southern free
trade fire-eating liberalization orators. 1t is
astonishing how our young pupils took to the
argument. No stage-actors ever studied
their parts. more :assiduously, or acclaimed
with more impassioned eloquence. They diff.
fer in style. Phelps attitudinises after the
clerical order, though little too timber in the
joints, while Cavanaugh adopts the spread
eagle style, always ready to come down, upon
his fancied enemies, with fell swoop. They
are both becoming very graceful, and promise
fair, though owing to the low form they were
compelled to take on entering the class, it will
be- necessary to send them several more
sessions before they have completed their
studies. .t
1t is little difficult to understand what
our State has to do with free-trade and direct
taxation. We are won't to call Minnesota the
New England Of the West, on account of the
unparalleled water power and manufacturing
capacity. We also know that while our man.
ufacturers may flourish, our farmers will look
eagerly in that direction for home market
But our statesmen think differently. While
they would advocate the destruction of both,
they also council direct taxation Yesl our
manufacturing power must remain idle; our
crops rot in the garner, and our taxes be
doubled. And why? Because the South
demands it. The congressional inddepen-
dence of Minnesota was disposed of last
winter. The State was thrown into the
political market and the South secured the
purchase. The quid pro quo was to Rice a
Surveyor General, Post Master at St. Paul.
United States District Judge, and some Land
Office appointments. To Phelps and Cava-
naugha few post-masters throughout the State.
The trio were to have all the political plumber