The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-16
To the Loyal Citizens Of Minnesota.


than for party, that the great peril in
which our country is placed, by an IN
holy rebellion against the Government, de-
mands, for the time, cessation of former
party divisions and wranging, and calls for
united energies and action OF all loyal citi-
zens, in supporting and strengthening the
lawfully constituted authorities in their eff
forts to overcome and subdue the rebellion
and maintain the integrity Of the Constr
tuition and the Union. Acting upon this
idea, call has been issued by a large num-
Der of citizens of both political parties, for
the assemblage of State Convention, in
the hope of eliecting the purpose desired,
in this State.
At meeting of those friendly to such a
movement, held in this city on the 7th inst,
tho undersigned were appointed a commit
tee to correspond with persons in other
parts of the State; make known the
object of the movement, and urge
upon all the proprety of forgetting
past differences, and uniting to res
cue our country from impending destruc-
ton. We desire therefore to call your at
| tentiOn to this movement, in the hope that
you will see the propriety OF uniting to ban
ish those divisions and discussions among u.s.
which politicians would keep up for their
own advantage, and which, it kept up, will
afford so much encouragement to our CON-
mon enemy.
In order that there may be no msunder-
standing in the matter, We will state that it
is not contemplated that Democrats or Re-
publicans must yield any of the principles
| t,c tbar, h., tOfo loI
in joining in this movement. Il is not pro.
posed to consider or define line of policy
with reference to any of the questions that
have heretofore divided parties. The object
is, a Union of all patriots for vigorous
prosecution of the war, until the rebellion
shall be Internationally subdued, and the
authority of the government re.established
in all of the States-and to this end alone.
The supporters of this movement believe
that the war should not be prosecuted
for the purpose, or with view, Of preserv-
ing, or Overthrowing the institution
of slavery in any of the States. 10 the
language of the resolution which passed the
House Of Representatives at Washington
at the extra session of Congress, just con-
cuded, with but two dissenting votes-they
bold
"That the present deplorable civil war
has been forced upon the country by the
disuniOnists of the Southern States now in
revOlt1 against the constitutional govern
ment and 10 arms around the Capital that
in this national emergency Congress, BAN
ishiDg all feeling of mere passion.or resent
ment, will recOllect only its duty to the
whole country; that this war is not waged
upon our part in any spirit of oppression, nor
for any purpose of conquest or subjuga ton
nor for the purpose of Overthrowing
or interfering with the rights Or establish
ed institutions of those States but to de-
fend and maintain the supremacy OF the
Constitution and to preserve the Union
with all the dignity, equality, and rights Of
the several States unimpaired that as soon
as these objects are accomplished the war
ought to cease"
The call is addressed to all who are will
ling to support with all their power the
Federal Administration in the prosecution
OF the war, for the purposes, and upon the
policy expressed in the above lrooiutiop'
Tho motives Which have actuated the sign
ers OF the call are obvious. The rebellion
has assumed such proportions, as to require
the whole strength of the government,
backed by the hearty and unanimous sup
port OF the eEtire people of the loyal States
to suppress it. Opposition by any consid-
cradle body of citizens in those States, or
even hesitating or grudging support
would not only weaken the hands OF the
Government, but must strengthen, by fur
nishing encouragement to, those engaged
in the rebellion. Every symptom of divi-
sion among ourselves, or of party opposi
tiOn to the Administration, is eagerly
watched and confidently counted on by the
rebels, as tending to aid them 10 their un-
holy designs. 1t is of the utmost import
ance, therefore, that the people be not only
unanimous but hearty, determined and un-
questioning in their support of the govern
ment, in the use of all its energies, all its
powers, and all its means, 10 the prosecution
OF this contest. Surely none can fail to see
that while this war lasts, all lesser matters
issue-the issue between loyal men and
traitors, -between those who are determn-
ed that the Union shall be preserved at
whatever cost, and those who seek its de-
struction-it is the simple issue of national
life or death. The issues upon which party
lines have heretofore been drawn cannot
occupy the public mind in the presence of
his one and there can be no question of
principle or policy to divide the people, ex:
cept as it relates to this one issue. The
occasion for division of our citizens into
Democrats and Republicans is consequently
for the present entirely wanting, and they
must divide, if at all, solely upon the ques.
ton of the war, or acknowledge that it is a
mere division between factions for power,
spoils and plumber, in the very presence of
the Governments threatened destruction.
The people of the Northern States have
already proved their great unanimity upon
this question, and even if party nominations
shall be made, all, or nearly all, of both
parties will, doubtless, at first, unhesita.
tingly favor vigorous war policy. This
war, however, must be conducted by the
present administration, and must postpone
the consideration of all other questions while
it continues, and there is danger that in the
heat of party strife, when every occasion is
sought and moulded to suit party exigencies,
| men NAV insensblv drift into onnosition to