The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-09
THE WEEKL VI PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT.
- Position Of senator Rice.

p
10 Efforts have been made recently, to rep
resent the position of Senator RICE as in
inimical to the Government ID its efforts to
suppress the rebellion, Some have gone SO
far as to insinuate that his sympathies are
with BREcKINRrDaE, and even with the Sen.
ators whose seats have been declared vacant.
That bis views may not be misunderstood,
we give his remarks made in the Senate on
the oath inst, on the Militia Bill: 30
Mr.. Rice-Mr.. President, it is well
known to the Senate that 80 far as my hum.
bic efforts were used heretofore, they were
used for the preservation of peace that
did all in my power to prevent war. ! be-
longed to the aLti-war party. War, how
ever, has been brought upon US. The dis
asters, calamities, and distresses that will
follow, no man can foresee. 1t is not for
us here now, when the enemy are within a
few hours march of the capital, to look
back or to indulge in personal remarks on
this floor. Our constituents do not ex.
pect us to expend the time given to US
in making speeches. They expect US to
act. They have decided upon war policy,
and it is for us to say whether the war shall
be properly prosecuted. If it is to be pro.
secuted, it must be done vigorously, and it
is for us to furnish the means, the men, and
the money, and to leave the details to the
Administration. The President, his Cabi-
net, and the high officers of the Army, have
been engaged for weeks in consulting the
best military talent in relation to the pro.
secution of the war, and the best business
men of the country as to the means OF ras-
ing money. They have perfected the de-
tails; and if we approve OF the general
policy, it is for US to give them power to
carry out the details. We have no time to
enter into petty discussions. !, Democrat
as am, will give my vote and my support
to the Administration in carrying out the
details Of its policy, so far as the necessary
war measures are concerned. f. III
In pursuing this course, l am properly
representing the spirit of the State in whose
name speak. Minnesota pursued no cold,
calculating policy but with impulsive l0yr
atty she was among the foremost to tender
her gallant sons for the service of the coun-
try, and CALAMITY they acquitted themselves
on the field of battle. In the expressive
language of an emphatic Senator, who wit.
messed the dreadful carnage, they +" fought
like devils" Their heroism is the theme of
every tongue and individual cases of cour-
age and endurance are described that have
no parallel in Greek or Roman story. My
course, then, is no equivocal one. 1 give
the aid of whatever support / can command
to the Administration and to the Generals
in-Chief, to whom the eyes of the Republic
are now directed with gratitude and con6s
dence. The laurels are unfaded that gar
land his brow, and we shall dishonor
the Republics Senate House if we fail to
furnish him with all necessary aid, that he
may add triumphs to grace our history, to
enhance his renown, and to restore peace to
bleeding country. In him and 10 the Ad-
ministration I am disposed to yield a, be-
coming confidence. We cannot trust our
selves, for we are not military men. We
have learned, from the discussions of the
past, into what difficulties we have brought
ourselves; and trust we shall abstain from
unnecessary debate and personal animad-
versions, and leave the conduct of the OIL
fcers OF the army and the soldiers to the
generals, and to the administration, who
have direct supervision of their conduct.
This is no time for US to be fddling; it is
no time for US to be swapping jack-knives
when the ship is sinking. Give the admin
istration the power it asks for, especially as
we have Endorsed its policy; and when Con-
gress shall meet again in December, if we
find that it has been incompetent to manage
public affairs, it will then be time for US to
look more closely into details, and apply a
remedy.