The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-11-30

least twenty majority against Mr.. Lincoln
and his party on all these questions. In the
Senate there is also decided and reliable
majority. Hence no bill can pass either
House of Congress impairiDg or disturbing
the rights or institutions of the Southern
people in any manner whatever, unless a
portion of the Southern Senator's and Repre-
sentatives absent themselves so as to giue an
abolition majority in consequence of their
absence.
In minority in both Houses Of Con-
gress, with the Supreme Court to ex-
pound the laws and restrain all illegal and
unconstitutional acts, the President will be
utterly powerless for evil, if be should have
the disposition to do wrong. Even in the
distribution of his patronage, he would be
dependent upon the Senate for confirmation
of bis nominees to Office, so that be cannot
appoint bad man to Office without the con.
sent of those in whom the South cOnfdes
A partizan President, thus tied hand and
foot, powerless for good or evil, without the
consent of his political opponents, should be
the object of pity and commiseration, rather
than fear and apprehension, by brave and
chivalrous people. What good or harm
can he do to anybody, except to humble the
pride and wound the sensibility of large
portion of the American people by occupy
ing the chair once filled by Washington,
Jefferson, Madison and jackson? Does
this fact furnish sufficient cause for destroy
ing the best Government of which the his
tory of the world gives an example? -Four
years will soon pass away, when the ballot
COX will furnish peaceful, legal and con-
stitutional remedy for all the evils and griev.
ances with which the country may be af-
| ficted.
If, in the mean time, any act shall be per-
petrated which shall violate or impair the
rights of any citizen or State, or shall en-
danger the peace and safety of any portion
Of our people for which the constitution and
laws shall fail to provide adequate and eff
cient remedies, the time will then have ar
rived for those who think the constitution
has been disregarded and the federal power
perverted to purposes inconsistent with their
safety, honor and equality, to consult and
deliberate upon the nature, extent and mode
of redress.
1 do not anticipate, nor do l deem it
possible, in the present condition of the
country, that, under the administration Of
Mr.. Lincoln, any act can be perpetrated
that would destroy or impair the constitu-
tonal rights of the citizen, or invade the
reserved rights of the States upon the SUBJ
ject of slavery but, if should find myself
painfully mistaken on this point, I have no
hesitation in expressing my deliberate con-
victiOn that such an outrage would not only
make the Southern people unit, but would
arouse and consolidate all the conservative
elements of the North in firm and deter
mined resistance, by overwhelming mejori,
ties.
10 such an event, the South would occu.
py an impregrable position. With her
own people united and animated by one
sentiment-the unfaltering resolve to main
tain and defend their rights and liberties as
won by the Constitution of their country,
they could safely rely upon the justice Of
their cause and confidently expect the SYM
pathy of the civilized world and the choicest
blessings OF Divine Providence while strug-
ling for the right. Under these circum-
stances l can perceive no just cause, no
reasonable ground for such rash and pre-
cipitate action as would plunge into the
horrors of revolution, anarchy and bank.
ruptcy, the happiest people, the most pros.
porous country and the best Government
the sun of Heaven ever shed his genial rays
upon.
To those, if any such there may be, who
look upon dsunion and Southern Con-
federacy as thing desirable in itself, and
are only waiting for an opportunity to ac-
complish that which had been previously
resolved upon-the election of Lincoln may
furnish a pretext for precipitating the
Southern States into revolution. But to
those who regard the Union under the Con-
situation as our fathers made it, the most
precious legacy ever bequeathed to free
people by patriotic ancestry, and are de-
termined to maintain it as long as their
rights and liberties, equality and honor, are
protected by it, the election of Mr.. Lincoln,
in my humble opinion, presents no just
cause, no reasonable excuse, for disunion.
Having discussed all the questions at
issue freely and deliberately in my addresses
to the people during the recent canvass, 1
do not perceive that any patriotic objects
can be advanced by any further public dis
cussions on my part prior to resuming my
seat in the Senate. That the passions and
animosities ergendered by recent contests
may soon give place to reason and patriot
ism; that calm and wise couusels may pre-
vail, and fraternal feeling be restored that
the Constitution may be preserved inviolate,
aud the Union maintained forever, is the
ardent hope and fervent prayer OF your
friend and fellow citizen,
8. A. DOUGLAS.
NEW ORLEANS, November Is, 1860.