St. Paul weekly Minnesotian. (St. Paul) 1860-1861, 1861-01-11
STRENGTHENxNG or THE BACK
BONE.

SIR or THE BACK
BONE.
When South Carolina and the disunion-
lists Of the Cotton States, started in imme-
diately after tle Presidential election 10
break up the Union, there was want Of
concert Of proposed action among the peo-
pie Of the Northern States, that for little
time was somewhat Alarming. The Press
of the victorious party was not united.
While . majority Of the influential portion
of it was--as it remains and viii remain -
for preserving and enforcing the Constitu
tor and Laws at all hazards, the New
York Tribune, and perhaps other journals
of lesser magnitude, were won't TO speak of
a peaceable dissolution" making use Of
the advice, "if they desire TO go out, let
them go pcaceably," &c.
Then there was another class Of journals
and individuals that aided in the triumph
Of the principles Of the Chicago Platform,
which were wonderfully disposed to show
weakness in the spinal column. Gun
ion meetings. were held III New York, Phil
adeIphia, and other cities deeply interest
ed ia the Southern trade, at which speech
es were made, and resolutions concurred
in, by men from whom, taking their az
tons during the late campaign as a test,
We had right to expect better Things.
It is refreshing, however, at this stage of
rebellion and treason in high places, to dis
cover wholesome reaction in almost all
dsaffected places, and particularly in the
"Quaker City" The leading Republi
cans Of that city held a SOCIAL re union on
he evening of the 28th ult. Patriotic
toasts and responses thereto were the
order of tie evening.
The responses were by such men as
CHARLES GILPrN, WV. B. MANN and others,
.ho raised the Republican, standard as
high as il has been elevated in any quar-
ter of the Union. We repeat, til a cheer
ing sign TO note this stifening OF bachb
in city where so-called Union" meet
ing was held within the last month, and at
which meeting, men who were good Repub-
leans before the election, were for "conceS-
sion" and "conci iation."
Hon. ions HICKMAN was guest on this
occasion, and made the first speech Of the
evening. His advent among his Philadel
phia friends no doubt produced a good eff
lect upon the lame and halt, ifany such
were present on the occasion We give
the North 1AmericGnS report Of his speech
in full:
Ale said he thanked them the op
portunity to express his devotion 10 the
Constitution AMI the Union. He loved the
Constitution because it secures the Union,
and the Union because it secures US liberty
and prosperity. Without them we should
fall into anarchy, brother would war against
brother, and blood run down the streets of
the city.
Both are now in danger, and neither will
be preserved by paper resolves. The time
is rather for action than expression. No
man can maintain the Union by declsra-
tons Of q Union spirit-.by popular assem-
Div and resolutions. The time has arrived
for us to act. There is an inassuageablc
antaeonism between freedom and slavery.
AS long as the free sentiment of the north
shall invade the territory of the south, so
long will the south complain, and we must
now choose whether we viii serve God or
Belial. This is not the first tiRse in 1920,
| in 1922, in 1864 we compromised for the
sake Of peace, and IN every instance com,
| promise has been followed by Increased
difficulty and dangef;sand now we are
asked to make lasting truce between free
| dom and slavery. But this cannot be, for
| liberty wilf'aiways make an impression up
on the weak and impotent. What are the
lines Of compromise to give US rest? Shall
we restore the Missouri Compromise :?
| (Cries of MOI BY no meansl Rather let
| my arm be severed than place upon me
any such humiliation and disgrace. Shall
the game of battledore and shuttlecock be
longer played between north saa south IL
others are willing the speaker could never
| consent.
"He never could or would abet any other
compromises. He loved the Union aad We
Constitution as well as any other man, but
would not buy them at such price. If
the former are not valued sufficiently what
faitli can there be in compromise! Nil.
lions for defence, said the speaker, bat not
one cent Tor tribute.
South Carolina declares that she has
seceeded ifso there is 20 State in the
Union. for there can be no vitality or pow
or in the bonds that unite US. She is not
out Of the Union, and with the blessing Of
Almighty God, ns~sr will be out of it,
Long applause. II all felt as the speak
er, he knew she would never be out Of the
Union, and the eighteen millions .of. the
North who monopolise the intelligeacssaD
industry of the country, are nott0sbe over,
awed by eight millions who lack those req
uisites. r "a -ss
i We have a traitor Presided, and cor.
rupt and rotten Cabinet, and for aught we
know, We may have trsitor army ALSO
/ But even yet. dispite all this, with an army
| and navy against 1s, M lay yet save the
4 Union and the Constitltidp. The speak
J er, but for this. would despair Of his coun-
pts# y ~