The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-04-12
PEACE OR WAR.

eg PEACE OR WAR.
AS to whether we shall have war with
our late confederates, or whether all matters
of difference between us shall be amicably
settled, / can only say, that the prospect for
peaceful adjustment is better. so far as
am informed, than it has been.
The prospect of war, is at least not so
threatening as it has been. The idea of
coercion Swallowed forth in President Lin
coins Inaugural, seems not to be followed up
thus far so vigorously as was expected.
Fort Sumpter, it is believed, will soon be
evacuated. What course will be pursued
towards Fort Pickens and the other forts
on the Gulf, is not so well understood. It
is to be greatly desired that all of them
should be surrendered. Our object is peace,
not only with the North, but with the
world ALI matters relating to the public
property, public liabilities of the Union
when we were members of it, we are ready
and willing to adjust and settle, upon the
principles of right, equality and good faith.
War can be of no more benefit to the forth
than to US. The idea of cOercing US, or
subjugating US, is utterly preposterous.
Whether the intention of evacuating Fort
Sumpter is to be received as an evidence of
desire for a peaceful solution of our diff.
culties with the United States, or the re-
suit of necessity, will not undertake to
say; would fain hope the former. Rumors
are afoat, however, that it is the result OF
necessity. All l can say to you, therefore,
on that point is, keep your armOr bright
and your powder dry. Enthusiastic APP
plause.
The surest way to secure peace is to show
your ability to maintain your rights. The
ministration of the United States-the Re-
publican party-present some puzzling
questions. While it is fixed principle
with them never to allow the increase of
foot of slave territory, they seem to be
equally determined not to part with an inch
"of the accursed SOIL" Notwithstanding
their clamor against the institution, they
seem to be equally opposed to getting more,
or letting go what they have got. They
were ready to fight on the accession of Texas
and are equally ready to fight now on her
secession. Why is this? How can this
strange paradox be accounted for? There
seems to be but one rational solution-and
that is, Notwithstanding their professions of
humanity, they are disinclined to give up
the benefits they derive from slave labor.
Their philanthropy yields to their interest.
Tine idea of enforcing the laws has but one
object, and that is collection of the taxes,
raised by slave labor to swell the fund ne
cessary to meet their heavy appropriations.
The spoils is what they are after-though
they come from the labor of the slave Con.
tinued applause.
He alluded to the difficulties and embar-
easements which seemed to surround the
question Of peaceful solution of the con-
troversy with the old government. How
can it be done? is perplexing many minds.
| The President seems to think that he can
not recognize our independence nor can he,
with and by the advice of the Senate, do so.
The cOnst tuition makes no such provision.
A general convention of all the states has
been sr~gC sted by some.
w hoat proposing to solve the difficulty,
be barely made the following suggestion:
That as the admission of States by Con-
gres under the Constitution was an act of
legislation, and in the nature of contract
or compact between the States admitted
and the Others admitting, why should not
this contract or compact be regarded as of
like character with all other civil contracts
liable to be rescinded by mutual agree
ment of both parties The seeding States
have rescinded it on their part. Why can.
not the whole question be settled, if the
North desire peace, simply by the Com
gress, in both branches, with the concur
renee of the President, giving their consent
to the separation, and recognition of in
dependence? This he merely offered as
suggestion as one of the ways in which it
might be done with much less violence to
constructions of the constitution than many
other acts of the government. Applause.
The difficulty has to be solved in some way
or other-this may be regarded as a fixed
fact.
THE TARIFF.
Mr.. STEPHENS, in concluding, expressed
the opinion that if there should be peace
between the North and the South, and
trade should resume its proper course, a
duty of ten per cent upon foreign importa-
tions it was thought might be sufficient to
meet the expenditures of the government.
off" said he in conclusion, 3" we are true to
ourselves, true to our cause, true to our
destiny, true to our high mission, in pre-.
senting to the world the highest type of
civilization ever exhibited by man-there
will be found in our lexicon no such word
as FAIL.
The BORDER STATES will see little in the
appointments by the Administration to as
sure them of justice and Cancellation toward