The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-09-20
The Morale of the Democratic Move.
meMt.

ment.
The Democratic State Convention which
assembled in St. Paul on the 18th, was a
respectable body, in numbers, and, as is
generally the case with political gatherings,
evinced some degree of enthusiasm. Sur.
facely speaking, it had an old time, patri.
otto look, which, unfortunately for the
glorious memories clustering around the
name and deeds of Democracy, was OF the
surface only. Beneath this surface was
nothing of the spirit that, in former days,
made the party name Synonymous with pa.
triotism; the secret, guiding influences
were not, as of old, inspired by men loving
their country and solicitous for its welfare.
On the contrary, it revealed the party in
that last stage which precedes dissolution
tenaciously clinging to the framework of
its organization, after the spirit which gave
it birth and vitality has fed.
The attitude which, in sad sarcasm upon
the past, has been given to the Democratic
party in the States of New York and Ohio,
has, also, by the action and influences of
this convention, been given to it here. In
those great States, and ir this, the party
now occupies position of qualified opposi.
ton to the Government-to too indirect to be
stigmatized as treason, but far too tangible
to meet the requirements of patriotic duty.
With loud professions of loyalty, there are
more than suggestions that the Administra
ton which is straining every nerve to save
the Government from destruction, is itself
sapping the foundation of our liberties !;
thus exciting the alarm, feeding the pre-
JUDGES, and stimulating the opposition of
the people, on whose hearty goodwill and
moral support, more than upon their arms,
the Government must rely for safety and
honor. This is not the part of patriotism
at time like the present.
While the Government is trembling in
the lance for existence, there is no loyalty
in the attempt to distract and divide the
people, by kindling party passions upon is
sues which have been swept away by the
waves of revolution, or by magnifyiDg into
alarming proportions of evil and wrong the
technical violations of law, and the uncom.
mon exercise of power, which rebellion has
made necessary for the security of the Gov
eminent.
The Democratic party of this State has
been placed by its leaders in position of
qualified opposition to the government, and
of direct opposition to the Administra-
ton, with the design of leading its masses
into opposition to the war, whenever its
burdens, and the disasters incident to it,
shall conspire to render feasible an attempt
to sacrifice the interests of the country to
the interests of party. This is the purpose
of the Democratic movement now 10 pro-
gress over the North. 1t leaks out in their
party organs,-many of which have been
suppressed for their reasonable utterances,
in the speeches of their leaders land in the
tone of their platforms and it is unblush-
ingly avowed in the conversati ons of
their party managers. Next to the arms
of the rebels OF the South, the Government
has to day most to fear from the machina-
lions of the Democratic leaders of the
North. These are facts, partially hidden, as
yet, from the public eye ; but hidden, only
because the popular sentiment will not now
tolerate an open unpatriotic policy. They
are facts which should move every loyal
citizen to renewed exertions to sustain the
Government, and to take from the Demo-
cratic party the influence which it now
yields by virtue of its former integrity and
strength.