The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-03-09
The Approaching Political Power and
influence Of the Northwest.

The Approaching Political Power and
influence Of the Northwest.
The material progress of the Northwest
is theme which has long given employ
ment to the tongue of the orator, the pen of
the writer, and from which even the song of
the poet has gathered fresh inspiration and
grace. Its political Fprogress towards a
position of controlling influence in the affairs,
and upon the destinies, of the Nation, begins,
also, at last, to be realized, and talked of,
and written about. The coming events
cast theirsshadows before in the affairs of
politics as of providence and, as the gov
ernment commences its preparations for the
national census, politicians begin to calcu-
late where the representation will fall under
the new apportionment, of which such Gen.
sus will be made the basis. And, as they
work over this problem, the Northwest
stretches up suddenly from the proportions
of dwarf to those of giant. From a
sixth to third of the federal representation
is long distance to be covered at single
stride; and this, or nearly this, will be the
measure of the advance step taken by the
Northwest between the present Congress
and that which is to follow it. sS.wgs
Such great and sudden accession of
power, while it promises a vast increase of
benefits, foreshadows, also corresponding
increase of responsibilities. And among
these latter will be that thrown upon the
Northwest as the umpire between the East
and the South, the two great contending
sections of the Union. Standing apart
from, and unsympathisiDg with. the fanati-
cisms of these sections, it will be the equal
of either in numerical strength, and the
superior of either in those qualities of INTEL
ligent, vigorous, progressive conservatism,
which are to be found in their highest de-
velopment only among people gathered
together from diverse regions, and uniting
in their characters the political virtues,
while discarding the political vices, of each.
The geographical position Of the North
west, as well as its numerical strength under
the coming census, and the composite char
acter of its population, will peculiarly fit it
to act the part of arbiter in sectional diff
ferences, as well as conservator of the politi.
cal sentiment of the Union. 1t has little in
common with the East and South, either in
the character of its pursuits or productions;
and, consequently, it will not be liable to
those jealousies, on the part of either section,
which industrial and commercial rivalries are
apt to excite. Occupying thus an indepen-
dent position, it is at the same time so cons
nected with both, that it may command
their confidence, and, better, perhaps, than
either, appreciate the rights, interests, and
necessities, of ALL From its bosom flow the
waters which, in diverse channels, traverse
the East and the South, and link both to
our Northwest by indissoluble, ever strength
ening ties.
The Democracy of the Northwest fully
comprehend the important and responsible
part which their section is destined to play
in national affairs. They comprehend the
fact, also, that, to realize the legitimate
benefits, as we'll as to perform the necessary
obligations, which will accrue to the North
west under the new order of things, the head
of the federal government should be a
statesman thoroughly imbued with the
Northwestern spirit, and possessing thor.
ough acquaintance with the Northwestern
character. 1t is an appreciation of this
fact, which has turned the eyes of the North.
western Democracy towards DOUGLAS, their
highest representative man and it is an
appreciation of the future political status of
the Northwest, which is now turning the
attention of the conservative Democracy of
the whole country in the same direction, for
Presidential candidate. 1t is sentiment
of this kind, so pervading and intense that it
seems almost instructive, which will exert an
irresistible influence at Charleston in securing
the nomination of DOUGLAS as the Democratic
candidate. And this same sentiment, grow
ing wider and deeper the more the subject
that gives it birth is thought upon and
agitated, will, almost of itself, and apart
from the other elements of success which
DOUGLAS possesses, insure his triumphant
election as President of these United
States.