St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1861-01-17

ated throughout all the States vigorous but
not specially exciting Presidential campaign.
From the very day when the result Of the
election became apparent, certain of the losers
comprising q large portion of the population
of certain Southern States, have zealously
sought to destroy that government of which
they had just endeavored to take renewed pos
session.
Why do lately fraternal States thus seek to
dissolve the Union which has such grand re-
suits, and SO precious memories for them all i!
Doubtless the minds Of the Southern people
are misled and excited by the miserable mis-
representations of the principles, policy and
purposes Of tho now dominant party, made
year after year for partizan ends but the in
sufficiency Of some Of the pretexts offered for
secession, by leaders of the movement, the au-
dacity of other, the ccipitancy of action, the
absence on the one hand, Of any sufficient rca-
son for their course, and on the other their
oft-repeated assertions that no concession will
prevent the act, fill the mind with wonder, and
leave no doubt that the purpose of destroying
the Union has long prevailed in certain minds
in the event Of not forever ruling it. This
conviction gains force from the long continued
course Of certain late officials, high in favor Of
the Chief Executive, but who have resigned, I
whose effort appears to have been to embarrass
the finances, destroy the credit, and weaken
the defences of the nation, to make its preser-
Walton more difficult.
The alleged non-execution Of the fugitive
slave law and the so-called personal liberty
bills, seems to be nero pretexts for q course
resolved on, for the fugitive slave law is exc
cuted in oil cases to which it is applied with
very rare exceptions, and the personal liberty
laws have never prevented or hindered. We
at least have no occasion for explanation or
justification here. One demand is the restor-
alton in effect of the line of restriction, known
as the Missouri Compromise line. But great
objections to this concession are, that the en-
tire south once declared themselves dissatisfied
with it, and that the really disatfected will not
accept it to day. Their demands are briefly,
o slave code for the territories and a recogni-
ton Of slaves as property by the free states
We cannot believe that such demands ore made
in good faith. They seem to have been devised
purpose!y to receive a rejection which might
be alleged as q reason for q contemplated rev.
olution. Such demands are entirely new
Even in the formation Of the constitution of
the United States it was not thought proper to
admit the idea Of property in man. Can We
now be expected to grant whot the slave States
of that day thought not proper to ask Such
a thing n slave code has no precedent in
our history. Precisely the coutrary-congres-
has many, both old and more recent.
But whatever concession or compromise
might otherwise be made, the present treason
able position of one of the Southern States,
and the menacing attitude Of others, the war
already levied upon the United States by the
seizure of Government property by armed men
professedly hostile to United States authority,
demand, first the assertion of the rights Of the
nation, and next the recognition of the princi-
pie that existing Constitutional agreements
are to be maintained, and that, subject to the
Constitution the majority shall rule, and the
minority must submit. After this is well set
tied we can with honor and security discuss
the question Of new compromises. But while
the claim of the disunionists that State may
secede from the Union at her own pleasure, re-
mains practically undecided by the general
government, it is evident that no compromise
or concession will avail, which does not SUBJ
nit the action and judgment of the majority
to the fanaticism of the restless and factious
few. Any other compromise would in fact en-
courage further rebellion hereafter.
1t is therefore clear in my opinion that the
nation must vindicate itself and establish again
obedience to the constitutional agreements and
compromises through all the length and breadth
We are gathered from all the States Of the
Union and almost all the civilized nations of
the world. We can have no narrow or sec
| tional feeling. Our interests equally forbid
ungenerous or selfish views. We are a young
State, not yet very numerous or powerful, but
we are for the Union as it is. We hope, we
expect no fraternal war. The blessings Of the
Union, representation in Congress, the benefits
of the postal system, the honors to be won in
the various departments Of the national serv-
ice, these every State may participate i'll, but
it is unnecessary to force them upon an unwil-
ling people. But the territory, the forts the
arsenals, the dock-yards, public buildings,
ships of war, revenue cutters, and the revenue,
these belong to the whole nation, and these the
nation can hardly relinquish with honor.
Such I believe to be the sentiment of the
whole people of our State, and it may be well
for the Legislature now assembled, by some
solemn act, in modest and fitting terms to ex-
press our individual attachment to the Consti-
tuition and the Union of our fathers and our
willingness to contribute whatever Of moral or
material influence we have to preserve them,
now ami forever one and inseperable.
| ALEX. RAMSEY.
St. Paul, Jan. 7, 1861.
This message is ono which does homo,
to Governor Ramsey, and Of which the
people of Minnesota may be proud.
COUNTY ORDERS FOR SALE At THIS Office