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

| BONE.
When South Carolina and the disunion-
lists of the Cotton States, started in imme-
| diately after the 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 q majority of the influential portion
of it was--as it remains and will remain
|. for preserving and enforcing the Constltu
tior. and Laws at all hazards, the New
York Tribune, and perhaps other journals
of lesser magnitude, were wont to speak of
peaceable dissolution, \" making use of
the advice, "if they desire to go out, let
them go peaceably," &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 in New York, Phil
adelphia, and other cities deeply interest
ed III the Southern trade, at which speech
es were made, and resolutions concurred
in, by men from whom, taking their ac-
tons during the late campaign as a test,
We had a right to expect better things.
1t is refreshing, however, at this stage of
rebellion and treason in high places, to dis
cover wholesome reaction in almost all
| disatfected places, and particularly in the
'Qusker City" The leading Republi.
! cans of that city held social re union on
he evening of the 28th ult. Patriotic
| toasts and responses thereto were the
| order of the evening.
The responses we're by such men as
Charles GILPrN, WV. B. MANN and others,
Sho raised the Republican, standard as
high as it has been elevated in any quar-
ter of the Union. We repeat, is cheer
! ing sign TO note this stiffeniug OF backbone
| 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 "conciiat
Hon. JONI HICKMAN was guest on this
occasion, and made the FIRST speech Of the
| evening. His advent among his Phladel
phia friends no doubt produced good ef.
iect upon the lame and halt, if any such
were present on the occasion. We give
the North american report of his speech
in full:
'.He said he thanked them r the op.
portunity to express his devotion to the
| Constitution and the Union He loved the
| Constitution because it secures the Union,
| and the Union because il 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 deelara-
tons Of Boon spirit -by popular assem-
| Div ahd resolutions. The time has arrived
| for us to act There is an inassuageablc
antagonism 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 will serve God or
Belial. This is not the first tinse 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 viii always 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 no) By no means Rather let
my arm be severed than place upon mo
any such humiliation and disgrace. Shall
the game, of battledore and shuttlecock be
longer PLAYED between north aai south If
others are willing the speaker could never
consent.
"He never could or would abet any other
compromises. He loved the Union aad Me
Constitution "a well as any other man, but
would not buy them at such a price. If
the former are not valued suff cientlY what
faitii cap there bein COMPROMISED Nil
lions for defence, said thespeaker, bat not
one centior tribute.
South Carolina declares that she has
seceeded. Iflso there is 20 State in the
Union. for there can be no vitality or pow
er in the bonds that unite US. She is not
out ofathe Union, and with the blessing Of
Almighty God, nsvse 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 81. the
North who monopolise the intelligeecelaD
industry of the country, are nort0abs over.
swed by eight millions who lack those req
uisites. TT Il a q
II We have traitor President, and COR
rupt and rotten Cabinst, and for augbt we
know, we may have traitor army also
But even yet, dispite al thjs with an army
and navy against ns, n ay yet save the
Union and the Constitltidp. The speak
J u, but for this. would despair Of his conn-