The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-16
withdrawal Of q Democratic Com.
mitSeemam, with the Reasons
Therefor N


Sir 81 request you to announce my
withdrawal from acting longer as one of
the Democratic State Central Committee.
resign this position because at this time l
do not favor the policy of calling party
convention, and for reasons given ia the en-.
closed reply to letter from we'll known
Democrats, asking convention to be called.
Inasmuch as 1 cannot agree with them, in
this request, it becomes my duty to resign.
Very truly, your ob't serv't,
W. w. PHELPS.
RED WING, MIMI, Aug. 4, 1861.
DEAR SIR:-Your favor of yesterday,
for yourself and many Democrats, desiring
to know whether the Democratic State Gen.
trail Committee Intend to call conven-
tion," is just received.
E. S. GOODRICH, Chairman, and Col
ROBERTSON, member of this Committee,
have resigned. Gen. VAN ETTEN, MIR.
PuRDY, formerly of Minneapolis, and my
self, are, believe, the balance of the Com
mittee; but what the opinions of my cola
leagues may be, have no means of know.
ing.
So far as my individual action may affect
the question, 1 feel it my duty to reply fully
and frankly to this enquiry of yourself and
those Democrats whose party fidelity you
endorse.
Believing that the Government, in this
powerful and unholy revolution, can only
be triumphant by the cordial union of all
loyal citizens in support of the policy, thus
far developed, Of the present administration,
and believing also that through the admin.
istration, as the only constitutional repre-
sentative of Federal authority, we may law
fully carry on this noble struggle for the
preservation of the Republic, and the en-
forcement of the laws, l am forced to think
that this is no time to indulge in crimina-
ton or determinations as to the motives
and aims of Republicans" alluded to by
you; and more, the object sought by all
good citizens can only be secured by pa
triotic forgetfulness of our " likes and dis
likes" and by sinking party in the high
consideration of country.
have from the first opposed that selfish
partisanship which revives party strifes in
this, the hour of the country's greatest need.
1t is true that few of the Republican
managers in their sel6shness (not the mass
of the party, believe, or its honest friends)
have ignored the fact that in this war, de-
maDding as it does and will, great popular
unanimity and every resource of the people,
the Democrats have nobly and unsel6shly
lavished their blood and treasure. But
these men are rebuked already.
Can this mistake of the Republicans be
sufficient cause to induce Democrats to COM
NIT the same grave blunder?
In this fall canvass what issue can we
raise with the Republicans. We can make
none except upon the policy of this war !;
and in regard to it | am with them heartily
and devotedly. Indeed, it is fact that the
administration bas-as yet developed no other
policy. And this not being war of ag-
erosion, but for existence, Republicans and
Democrats alike demand that it be honestly
and vigorously prosecuted. We can then
raise no issue upon its management. To be
on opposition, merely, without an issue, is
to weaken the unanimity and harmony of
loyal citizens without cause. The Govern
ment must first be rescued from its perils,
and after that there will be ample time to
differ in regard to the proper mode of ad-
ministering it.
Individually, then, feel compelled to go
with those true men of both parties who
have invited the electors of the State-re-
CARELESS of past party differences-who are
for maintaining the Union of all the States
at any sacrifice, and at all hazards, and to
that end are resolved to sustain the Federal
Government" &C., to meet through their
delegates in State Convention, on the 9Th
of September. The aims and purposes of
those in this movement will appeal to, and
be INDICATED by, the honest patriotism and
good sense of the people. And such Con-
veption will, in this critical juncture of af-
fairs, be in its moral power and results, as
much in advance of mere party conven.
tion as patriotism is superior to partisan
ship.
With this statement of my feelings and
purpose, I cannot, of course, longer hold my
position as a member of the Democratic
Central Committee. l shall this day re.
sign, and with your permission, send copy
of this letter to the PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT
as the reason of my resignation. The posi-
ton which now l accidentally occupy on
the committee, and your request as Demo-
Gratis, demand public announcement of nv