St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1859-05-19
THE ST. CLOUD DEMOCRAT
JANE G. SWIssHELM, EDITOR
Thursday, May 10 b 1859.
Minnesota Politics.

I1esent appearances would seem to
indicate that there is to be sharp contee.
between the two political parties, here in
Minnesota, at the next Fall election
Hithe'to, Minnesota politics has partaken
! Of local, rather than Of nationsl char
actcr. Her home necessities and home
interests, have absorbed tie surplus ene1-
g'es Of her people. In building texn,,
and railroads, and bridging rivers; in fe!-
ling toresttrees end subdueine praisies
in establishing homes Of civilization and
of plenty, Minnesot;ans have hitherto
been engaged, without scarcely stopping
ior one moment to observe the political
developments which have taken place
outside, or the causes which have proda-
ced them. Hereafter, minnesota will no.
be silent nor powerless in forming the
political destinies Of this Republic: Her
people are active, Intelligent and Liberty
loving. Her extreme Northern position,
- S>SVI AAAo Az &c o. nos <w9AA< 4ho
Constitutional obligations which unite her
to the South, makes her jealous. of even
the show Of in6dclity on their part, Min
nesota VIC believe tobc intensely anti.
Slavery in he: political sentiment. 'Tis
true those who have rcprese sentcd her abroad
have net indicated such q state Of feeling,
yet we must rcco!lect that those men
were elected when local interests controlled
the Ballot Box, and when party obligations
and principles were made 10 yield to the
doubts and wilinas Of what is construed to
be policy. Two years ago, honest Repub-
licans and Libe,ty-loving citizens voted
for, aud used their influence to cleo: the
Hon. Fl. NJ. RICE TO the United States
Senate. Does anybody suppose they would
have done so had his election turned upon
neat question of politics alone? Not At
all. He owes his election, not to the
strength Of the party which placed him
IN power, but to the feeling which vas
then dominant-bat ROW, thank Co..,
entirely wantin5-that Minnesota interests
were safer in his hands than in the hands
Of his opponents. Minnesota was then,
as 1t is to-day: strongly Anti-Si.very.-
Disguised as that sentiment may be under
party names and technical coverings.
whether as t|cyc!opcd in the organization
of an anti-slavcry Democrat, OF an anti
slavery Wing, or an anti-sl.vcgy Republi-
can, the principle itself undcrlies and
forms the substrstum OF Northern society,
and must eventually make converts ef Gil
who Come within its range. ItGis pretty
generally conceded, We believe, that Tie
political complexion Of the next Congress
depends somewhat upon the result Of our
October election. That election will oon-
scquently elicit national, as we'll IS
local interest. We shall probably have
stamp orators and fugitive broscn-down
politicians, imported from abroad for tho
purpose Of convincing US Of tne political
error Of orr ways, and all the money and
patronage which corrupt aud unscrups-
pnlons \ administration can beetow for tie
purpose Of buying up the souls and con-
sciences Of men. BE this as it nAy.Ee
have firm and abiding confidence that
the result will be ) triumph Cd tho side
of Freedom. 1sSsP
The normal condition Of public ssent;-
ment here, IS uncompromising in Its hos
tihty TO the present Administratio..---
JAMES BucHAS.Ax's friends are ,.ly
those who pray to him rsieir daily
= : 49, !