The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-05-10
The Duty OF Politicians and Parties In
the Present Crisis.
the Democracu of finnesota :

the Present Crisis.
To the Democracy of Minnesota:
hereby resign the position, held during the
past two years. as Chairman of the State Dem
ocratic Central Committee.
EARLE s. Goodrich.
St. Paul, May Sd, 1861.
We place the above announcement at the
head of this article, certainly with no desire
to attract personal attention at so grave
time as the present, nor with the design of
making it text for what may be hereafter
written; but simply for the purpose of show
ing, at the outset, that our practice shall be
made to conform to the spirit of our recon-
mendations. With this explanation, we
wish to submit a few suggestions to the peo-
pie of Minnesota, for their thoughtful, patri-
otto consideration.
The Government of the United States is
now engaged in struggle, not merely to
preserve its honor, but to maintain its exis-
tence. That struggle may be short or long /;
but long or short its issue should never be
regarded doubtful. During that struggle
the Government must look for available
support to the North. Now, at its begin.
ming, the North seems irresistible, because
the North is united. With its wealth, popu-
lation, valor, the North must inevitably
conquer, if its people shall remain united.
The honor of the Government will thus be
preserved the permanency of the Govern
ment will thus be established. The spirit
OF the innumerable brave hearts of the
North who have given voluntary offers of
their lives and fortunes, and have sworn
their support to the country and its flag,
will thus have assurance given to their will,
and make all our hopes prophetic.
This union of the Northern people, un-
precedented in our own, or in the history of
any other country, has been accomplished
by the Punishment of party politics from
our midst The deepest, most pervading
and controlling sentiment of the Northern
mind, during seasons OF peace, is political
partizanship. But now, under the influence
of their nobIer instincts partyism is sunk in
patriotism, and the people are of one heart
and mind together. The union of sentiment
thus secured, must be maintained. In the
first flush of loyal enthusiasm, this union is
perfect. But it is against all experience
that it will remain so, unless parties and
politicians shall unite to preserve it. The
records of the revolution which gave birth
to our nationality, show that even under the
pressure of the most persuasive demands
ever made upon the patriotism of any
people, there was room for the exhibition
of the most selfish traits of the human
character. With par'yism reduced to
science, with party organizations existing
under almost military discipline. and with
the temptations to turn the generous move
ments of the mass to private account in
creased thousand fold, we cannot now
hope to escape the dangers and trials which
beset and embarrassed the patriot leaders of
the revolution, unless we DO away with the
party ties which stimulate and embitter
divisions among US.
So far as we are concerned, this shall be
our effort and our hope. From this, until
the Federal Government shall be re.estab-
lished upon it's old foundation of strength
and order, we will acknowledge no party
whose platform is less broad than the Con-
stitution of our land-whose purposes are
less limited than the reunion of all the States
nor whose success can be used to weaken
abe hands OF the Administration in its law
full efforts to maintain the government and
to conquer an honorable peace. Until all
that shall be done, we shall deprecate any
attempt to reinstate political divisions
among US, which, happily for the hopes of
the country, are now temporarily destroyed.
Until this strife shall be ended, the action
Of the North in all that concerns Federal
or State affairs should be united and har-
monious Personal ambition st Ould hold
itself in allegiance, until the honor of
the country is FIRST restored. Those who
are to administer our public affairs should
be chosen without private dissent or puolc
opposition. The spectacle ola great people
thus ignoring all their personal and partisan
differences, and cordially uniting together
to sustain their government ard to promote
good will towards each other, would be
worth to the cause of the North and the
Union more than score of successful bat
Il 8.
From this forth, then, let our politicians
rise to the level of the patriotism of the
people. Let them aid in cementing together
in indssOluble bonds the great masses on
whom the country must RELY for safety, and