The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-01-18
SAINT PAUL, FRIDAY, JANUARY l8. 1856

revolutionary fathers to their descendants,
and never did any other people inherit so
rich legacy. 1t has rendered us prosper
ous in peace and triumphant in war. The
national flag has foated with glory over
every sea. Under its shadow American
citizens have found protection and respect
in all lands beneath the sun. If we descend
to considerations of purely material interest,
when, in the history Of all time, has con-
feieracy been bound together with such
strong ties of mutual interest? Each
portion of it is dependent on all, and all
upon each portion, for prosperity and do.
mestic security. A free trade throughout
the whole supplies the wants of one portion
from the productions of another and scat
tiers wealth everywhere The great planting
and farming states require, and commercial
navigating states send their productions to
domestic and foreign markets, and furnish
naval power to render their transportation
secure against all hostile attacks. Should
the Union perish in the midst of the present
excitement, we have already had sad
foretaste of the universal suffering which
would result from its destruction. The
calamity would be severe in every portion
of the Union, and would be quite as great,
to say the least, in the southern as in the
northern states.
The greatest aggravation of the evil, and
that which would place us in a most unfa-
vorable light, both before the world and
posterity, is, as l am firmly convinced, that
the secession movement hos been chiefly
based upon misapprehension at the south
of the sentiments of the majority in several
of the northern states. Let the question be
transferred from political assemblies to the
ballot-box, and the people themselves would
speedily redress the serious grievances which
the south have suffered. But, in Heavens
name, let the trial be made before we plunge
into an armed conflict upon the mere as
sumption that there is no other alternative.
Time is great conservative power. Let
US pause at this momentous moment, and
afford the people of both the North and
South an opportunity for reflection. Would
that South Carolina had been convinced of
this truth before her precipitated action.
therefore appeal, through you, to the people
of the country to declare 10 their might
that THE UNION MUST AND SHALL BE PRE-.
SERVED by all constitutional means.
l most earnestly recommend that you
devote yourselves exclusively to the ques.
tion how this can be accomplished in peace.
All other questions, when compared with
this, sink into insignifcance. The present
is no time for palliation. Action, prompt
action, is required. A delay in Congress
to prescribe and recommend distinct and
practical proposition for concil;ation, may
drive US to point from which it will be
almost impossible to recede. A common
ground on which conciliation and harmony
may be produced is surely not unattain-
able.
The proposition to compromise by letting
the North have exclusive control of the
territory above a certain line, and giving
southern institutions protection below that
line, ought to receive universal appreciation.
In itself, indeed, it may not be entirely sat-
isfactory; but when the alternative is be.
tween reasonable concession on both sides,
and the destruction of the Union, it is an
imputation on the patriotism of Congress
to assert that its members will hesitate for
moment.
Even now the danger is upon us. In
several states which have not seeded. the
forts, arsenals, and magazines of the United
States have been seized. This is by far the
most serious step which has been taken
since the commencement of the troubles.
This public property has long been left
without garrisons and troops for its protec-
tion, because no person doubted its security
under the flag of the country in all the
States of the Union. Besides, our small
army has scarcely been sufficient to guard
our remote frontiers against Indian incur
sions. The seizure of this property, from
all appearances, has been purely aggressive,
and not in resistance TO any attempt to
coerce q state or states to remain in the
Union.
At the beginning of these unhappy trou>
bles, I determined that no act Of mine
should increase the excitement in either
section of the country. If the political
contest we're to end in civil war, it was my
determined purpose not to commence it, nor
even to furnish an excuse for it BY any act
of this government. My opinion remains
unchanged, that justice as well as sound
policy requires us still to seek peaceful
solution Of the questions at issue between
the north and south. Entertaining this
conviction, refrained even from sending
reinforcements to Major Anderson, who
commanded the forts in Charleston harbor,
until an absolute necessity for doing so
should make itself apparent, lest it might
unjustly be regarded as menace OF militia
ry coercion, and thus furnish, if not pros
vocation, at least pretext for an outbreak
on the part of South Carolina. No neces>
sity for these reinforcements seemed to
exist.
was assured by distinguished and up
riOht gentleman from Snnth Carolina that