The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-09-27


G1LFILLAN, its Chairman, gives the reasons
which have induced this step.
The Union movement was initiated here
for the purpose of harmonizing political &C
tion, and not distracting it. Its object was
to enable all citizens who were sincerely
attached to the Government, to unite to-
gether cordially in its support, without the
sacrifice of opinion upon political measures
which are suspended, or have become obso-
lete. 1t was felt that the struggle now
going on between Government and Urea.
son, was one far transcending in Importance
every other human consideration and that,
during its existence, party creeds and Or
CARNATIONS, with everything else calculated
to distract the attention, and divide the
duty, which every citizen owes to the cause
of bis country, should be laid aside, if not
utterly forgotten. 1t was known that the
members of the Government whose exist
ence was attacked, and on whom rested the
heavy responsibility of carrying it unscathed
through its perils, though so recently elect
ed on partizan grounds, were not only will
ling to see party lines obliterated, but that
they regarded it necessary to the full success
of the cause of the Government. 1t was
known that the Union movements,
which have come to such glorious fruition in
the great Middle States, were initiated
by the friends of the Federal Administra.
ton, and at the desire of the President, his
cabinet, and the wisest of bis councillors, of
all parties and sections. 1t was believed
that the spectacle of the great mass
of the people of the loyal States,
speaking unitedly in support of the country
and its official head, would add vastly to
the strength of the Government at home,
and to its consideration abroad. Thus
knowing and believing, good and loyal men
here sought to strengthen the hands of the
President, and to build up the cause which
be represents, in the manner considered by
him and bis advisers to be most desirable
and effective.
1t was, of course, essential to the com
plete success of the movement that itshould
be sustained by the loyal conservative sem
timent of the State 1t was known that
there were. fanatics on the one hand, and
covert traitors on the other, who would
not, and who were not desired to, unite in
its support. But it was expected that the
great majority of the people, who sustain
the government on high grounds Of princi-
pie, would be glad to accept of common
basis on which all could unite in harmony
together. The Address of the Committee
notices some of the reasons why this desira
be result has not been attained. There
are others which might very properly be
noticed here. Not, however regarding this
of much Importance, we content ourself with
recognizing the fact that the objects con-
templated by those who put the Union
movement in operation, cannot now be &C
complished. The continuance of the Union
ticket in the canyass would have the con-
trary effect to that intended by its nomina.
tion-to divide, instead of uniting, the loyal
vote of the State. 1t has, therefore, and,
under all the circumstances, we think very
properly, been withdrawn.
This action leaves but two tickets in the
field-the straight Republican and the
straight Democratic.
Of the latter ticket, Of the spirit that
controlled the Convention which put it
in nomination, and of the platform on which
it appeals to the people for support, we
have already written. For the reasons
heretofore given, and for other reasons
which we shall hereafter present, we regard
the Democratic ticket as unworthy the sup>
port of any loyal man.
1t is due to accident of position, that
the Republican ticket is any more worthy;
for the Republican Convention was con-
trolled by influences nearly as dangerous,
and, in some aspects, quite as obnoxious.
Both Conventions were governed by the
utmost sel6shness of party spirit, at time
when mere partizanship is only grade bete
ter than treason. But the Republican Com
vention, platform, and candidates have this
advantage over the Democratic, that they
are unequivocally committed to the prose>
cution of the war in defence of the govern
ment to the end, be it bitter or sweet. That
is our doctrine, and it is one that we shall
give the utmost possible effect to by our
vote. That this leads US, by necessity, to
vote for the Republican nominees, shall not
deter US moment from the performance OF
what we regard as patriotic duty.
TO the head of the ticket, Gov. RAM
sEY, we present our compliments, with the
xl>ok L.