The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-06-14
senator Douglas, Successor.

Nothing but the danger which threatens
the republic would justify us in abiding at
this time to the question of filling Judge
Douglas vacancy in the United States
Senate. The task is an ungracious one,
but the near approach of the special ses-
sion of Congress, and the momentous char
acter of the issues to be brought before it,
conspire to render it an urgent necessity.
That the place which the departed states
man occupied in the national councils can
not, in any true sense, be filled, all will
agree, but we are called upon to meet the
question now, and it behO0ves us to find
the man who will most nearly come up to
the standard of the excellence now about
to be entombed, and invest him with the
duties and dignities of the high Office which
Mr.. Douglas has so long and ably filled.
The Constitution imposes upon Governor
Yates The delicate task of filling the vacan-
cy until such time as the Legislature shall
meet and exercise its functions in the prem
ises. The term for which his appointee
would naturally hold the Office is year
and half, or until the regular session Of
1868. We doubt not that the propriety of
selecting political friend of the deceased
Senator has alrerdy suggested itself with
due force to the Governor. We think that
all considerations of the public veal require
the views of Senator Douglas to the vacan-
cy. 1t is true that the Republicans have
the power both 10 the Executive and Legis
lative departments of the State Government.
But it is equally true that parties and par
tisanship have mainly been blown to the
winds by the general events of the past
forty days. 1t is equally true that the
party of which Mr.. Douglas was acknowl-
edgen the chieftain came up manfully and
squarey to the patriotic work set be-
fore them by the Governor in the recent
session of the Legislature. If the Republi-
cans constitute the right wing OF the great
army of the Union, the Democrats consti-
tute the left wing. Neither can advance
successfully without the other. If we who
happen to have the power acquired in past
contests are sincere in our protestations of
buried animosity-if we believe in our own
declarations that old issues are obliterated
what more fitting time than tie present
to prove it What more favorable oppor-
tunity to secure the work which Senator
Douglas began? What more substantial
evidence can we give of our sincerity and
harmony than by placing Douglas Demo.
crat in the Senatorial chair vacated by
the untimely death of Senator Douglas him
self?
1t strikes US that these arguments are un-
answerable. We have no personal choice
to express. If we had any, it would prob
ably be for some one of the able Republican
generals with whom we have labored in past
contests. But we forego all such prefer
ences in obedience to what seems to US an
imperative public duty. The 100000 ILL.,
noisans who cast their votes for Mr.. Doug.
las last fall, and who are now nearly unani,
nous in their zeal for the maintenance of
the Union and the support of the govern
ment, are justly entitled to representative
in the Senate of the United States. And if
there were any constitutional way in which
they might Indicate their choice, they
should be allowed to name the man. But
the whole question, we are convinced, is in
good hands, and we doubt not the action OF
Gov. Yates in the premises will meet the
hearty commentator of the people.-Chi-
cdgo Tribune, June 4.