The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-26
Speech from Senator Wilkinson.

Colonel FoRNEY was serenaded at his res.
idence in Washington, in honor of his elec-
tion as Secretary of the Senate. He made
a speech, and closed by introducing Senator
WILKINSON, of this State, as gentleman
who had acted throughout his contest for
the Secretaryship of the Senate, "the part
of true and faithful friend" Senator
WILKINSON spoke as follows:
GENTLEMEN Il am happy to be present
on the occasion of this compliment paid to
the recently elected Secretary OF the Senate.
1t gratiies 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 seec>
tioo 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, Que faith, with the lovers of our
country. He who is for this Union am
for, and he 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 I 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. 1t
has been regarded an Office of such high
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. The reason of it is apparent.
Every lover of his 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, l wish it to be distinctly
understood, that my party predictions are
subordinate to my love of country, [great
applause i and hope and trust that
shall always be governed in my official acts
by patriotic motives.
Permit me to say that l heartily concur
in every word that has fallen from the lips
of Colonel Forney in his speech this night.
This war must go on. Cheers. This
Union must be maintained. Renewed
applause Not by the power of Mr.. Lin
coin; not by the power Of any member 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 triumphantly carried over every sec
tion of this Union, by the energy and might
OF the great American people. [Tremend-
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 in the country, among the masses of the
people. Cheers They constitute the
Government, and they will uphold it, and
carry its flag victoriously wherever its
rights are violated, or its power disputed.
Col. Forney has said that God is with US,
and right is on our side 1t is true. We
have grown up and prospered under our
present form of Government. Never on the
face OF the earth has there been country
the masses of whose people have been %
happy and contented as have been the peo-
Pile of the United States of America. State
after State has sprung into existence; we
have extended our border to the Pacific,
and there has been nothing Tn imnnde onr
onward march to greatness and to glory un-
til the present rebellion broke out in the
South. Well, the fiat of the people has
gone forth, this rebellion must be put down,
ard l assure you in my humble judgment it
will soon be crushed out by the power and
majesty of just Government. [Cheers.l
Gentlemen, thank yon for your attention,
and will not longer detain you. Three
cheers for Senator Wilkinson.