The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-26
speech from senator wiliinson.

I III II ssi
speech from senator WiIlkinson.
Colonel FoRNEY was serenaded at his res.
idence id Washington, in honor Of bis cleo
ton as Secretary Of the Senate. He made
speech, and closed BY introducing Senator
WILKINSON, Of this State, as gentleman
who had acted throughout his contest for
| the Secretaryship of the Senate, "tbe' part
| of true and faithful friend.n Senator
WILKINSON spoke as follows
GENTLEMEN 81 am happy to be present
| on the occasion of this compliment paid to
the recently elected Secretary Of the Senate.
1t gratifes me to see you here, because it
very clearly exhibits to my mind your ap-
| probation Of the propriety of the decision
made by the Senate. Politically, have
not heretofore agreed very fully with Col.
Forney, but, at this time and in this crisis,
| entered heartily into the canvass for his
election, believing not only that his selec~
! ton would be wise one in consideration
of his personal merits, but because he rep,
resented the Union sentiment of the people
of the loyal States. (Cheers) We have
no politics now; we have no parties
any more. .(Cheers.) There is but one
watchword, one faith, with the lovers of our
country. He who is for this Union am
for, and be who is against this Union / am
against, even though he should be my
brother. (Cheers)
The important position of the Secretary
of the Senate, which / regard as one OF the
highest offices in our country, has never
been filed by more than four persons since
| the organization OF the Government. It
dignity that the Senate Of the United States
has not seen fit, heretofore, to remove the
person occupying it on political grounds.
1t was only after careful examination that
the gentleman Just selected was chosen,
and believe to~day that, throughout the
local States Of this Union, there will be one
general voice of approval of this act.
| [Cheers.1 The reason of it is apparent.
sEvery lover of bis country desires to see all
! of its friends united together, no matter
whether they have been Republicans, Dem
ocrats or Americans in the past. So far
as / am concerned, / wish it to be distinctly
understood, that my party predictions are
subordinate to my love Of country, [great
applause i and I hope and trust that
shall always be governed in my official acts
by patriotic motives.
| Permit me to say that heartily concur
in every word that has fallen from the lips
Of Colonel Forney. in bis speech this night.
This war must go on. [Cheers.] This
Union must be maintained. Renewed
applause.I Not by the power of Mr.. Lin
coin not by the power Of any pember of
the Administration not by the authority
or dominion Of any man or set of men but
it will be maintained, and our flag upheld
and triumphantIy carried over every sec
ton Of this Union, by the energy and might
of the great American people. TTremend-
Gus applause People sometimes suppose
that the Government of the United States
is in Washington; they sometimes imagine
that it is over in that Capitol, or exists in
| the White House at the other end OF the
Avenue; but this is very great mistake.
The government Of this nation rests away
out 10 the country, among the masses Of the
people. Cheers.l They constitute the
Government, and they will uphold Il, and
carry its flag victoriously wherever it's
rights are violated, or its power disputed.
Col. Forney has said that God b With Is.
and right is on our side. It is true. VIZ
have grown up and prospered under or
present form of Government. Never on the
facesof the earth has there been country
The masses of whose people have been .
Happy and contented as have been the peo~
pie Of the United States Of America. State
alter State has sprung into existence; We
have extended our border to the Pacific,
and there has been nothing to impede our
onward march to greatness and to glory I'M
til the present rebellion broke out ID the
South. Well, the fat Of the people has
gone forth, this rebellion must be put down
and I assure you in my humble Judgment it
will soon be crushed out By the power and
majesty Of q just Government. Cheers
Gentlemen, / thank yon Tor your attention,
and will not longer detain you. Three
cheers for Senator Wilkinson. 4