The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-10-25
Fremont to which you direct my attention
10 40 followo.

is as follows:
SONS in the State of Missouri, who shall take
up arms against the United States, or who
shall be directly proven to have taken mart
with their enemies. in the field, is declared to
be confiscated to the public use, and their
slaves, if any they have, are declared to be free
men.
The principles of the law of nations, above
cited, confer upon the commanding officer
the undoubted legal right to assume the
position taken by Gen. Fremont The
question, and the only question, then, left
for US to determine is, was it policy for him
to assume that position l am equally
clear that upon the simple question of
policy, General Fremont was right.
Nobody seems to call in question the pro-
priety OF that part of the proclamation
which declares that the property, real
and personal, of all persons in the State
OF Missouri, who shall take up arms
against the United States, or shall be d.
rectly proven to have taken part with their
enemies in the field, is declared confiscated
to the public USE" But as regards that
portion which relates to slave property, there
seems to be a wonderful sensitiveness, even
here at the North. We are told we must
pay out our millions like water; raise, equip,
and send into the field fabulous number
OF men, and march from one bloody battle
held to another, until rebellion is crushed
out; but we must not interfere with the
sacred Institution of slavery. We may take
lands and goods, and houses, money, and all
kinds OF property belonging to the rebels,
but it will not do at all to interfere with
property in Man.
Now, gentlemen, let me ask you what
there is so peculiarly sacred about this in
stitutiOn OF slavery that it should command
our special protection and regard? What
has it done for our country, humanity or
religion, that it should be looked upon with
so much reverence, and be singled out as
the last thing to be surrendered in order to
save the country from ruin Why this very
rebellion which is now costing us so many
lives and so much money, was gotten up in
the interests of slavery. 1t is the slave
holders who are stabblng at the heart of
the nation today, and it is because OF the
institution of slavery that these monsters
are engaged in their wicked work of de-
struction. Slavery is the chief corner stone
of the rebellion which is working to destroy
the country. The black slaves of the South
are to day furnishing all the snews of war
for the traitors. They raise all the grain
and provisions with which the rebel army
is fed, and the cotton with which all their
munitions of war are supplied.
In my judgment we have temporized with
this matter too long already. We have
been afraid that we might offend somebody,
whilst the enemy, taking advantage of our
uncertain, vacillating policy, has been rap
idly gaining strength, and marching forward
from one successful battle field to another.
All our shifting and lodging to save the
STAKEHOLDER and the traitor, will be of no
avail to US. We may as we'll meet the
question at once in the outset. The govern
ment must be maintained though slavery
perish. 1t was for these reasons that l re-
joiced at the stand taken by Gen. Fremont,
and for the same reasons was panied to learn
that the President faltered when this ques.
ton met him face to face.
Whether Fremont is successful, as mill
tary commander or not, has nothing to do
with this question. approve OF the cou Sc
he took in bis proclamation.
Respectfully, your fellow citizen,
M. S. WILKINSON.
Messrs. TEEFr, JAQUITH, and HARRINGTON,
Committee