The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-23
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT

were the most earnest and constant endea-
vor Of the patriot sages, who above all
men were able to conceive and form the
Constitution of the United States.
In framing this charter of the nation,
they fully recognized the unavoidable, and
probably long endearing antagonisms of its
various constituencies, which by means of
their carefully adjusted compromises and
solemn compacts, they essayed to preserve
in peaceful equilibrium.
They, however, contemplated their great
work, only as hopeful experiment. They
foresaw most of the dangers, which imper~
illed its success, and assiduously strove to
avert them.
In order to neutralize the antagonism of
sections and fully resolve diversity into uni
ty, they cultivated by example, as we'll as
precept, mutual good will, federation of in
situations and ideas, considerate forbear-
ance and scrupulous courtesy.
Such were the men who made the nation,
such were the difficulties that embarrassed
their labors, and such were the agencies
they employed to ensure success.
Such wisdom and patriotism as this,
alone could have given birth to our nation
ality-such patriotism as this alone can
preserve it.
Our glorious Republic, born of incom-
parable wisdom and piety, received Gods
blessing, and beyond all parallel in history,
increased in wealth and population.
But, when the nation became rich and
powerful, no longer fearing foreign foe, and
the sections, in their amazing prosperity,
began to feel buoyant and exhilirant-the
proud initiation of good fortune and conf
dent power-their old antagonisms, which
had been silent during the period of immi-
nent peril and sublime virtue, began to re-
appear, threatening to assert their suprem.
acy in public affairs, and to break the bonds
of fraternal accord, whereby the patriots OF
the revolution had united the Old Thirteen,
the Southern" Middle" and 4" Eastern"
States, to be and continue one people, and
one nation.
While enlightened patriots looked upon
this change with undisguised alarm, the
mass of the people, incredulous of danger or
needless of peril, busted themselves with
money getting and spending, and the ex-
element of party poitics-a mimic war of
the passions, deridlng the Noahs of their
day, who warned them OF the approaching
calamity.
In the meanwhile, however, nature and
art, accidents and events, foreign and do
nestle, every thing good and bad, worked
together for the qualification and glory of
the American people. The old thirteen
were filled up to repletion with men and
money. The overlooking populations stream
ing Westward and Southwark into regions
previously unexplored, formed new States
for admission into the Union.
From this cause have originated con-
ficts of sectional interest, and questions of
National policy, unforeseen by the great
and good man who forunded the Republic
Less occupied with present cares, and exist
ing dangers had they cast their horoscope
beyond the boundaries of the old thirteen,
they unquestionably would have discover
ed the dangers which have imperried our
Nationality and would have provided safe
guards against them, harmonzng what has
become destroying force, with that unity
which they had so fervently desired to be-
queath, as the richest legacy that could be
bestowed on those who were to come after
them.
In order to be able to comprehend the
full force of this accidental omission, and
the resulting consequences in our public af-
fairs, it is necessary to review the causes
and effects of the extension of our National
domain; the creation of new States and the
marvellous growth of the West. (The SUBJ
ject to be contiDued)