The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-26
VOL. XIII. NO. 6.


Democratic Policy and lxspnbliean
a "a Policy.
To the Editors ofae Pioneer and Democrat; ..
All men now unite in support Of the gov
eminent. We hear general demand from
the Republicans that party lines should be
forgotten, and that all men should rally for
the Union. To that the whole North has
responded, Amen
But while the Democratic party has beer
among loyalists most loyal in response to
this cry, it may be well enough even now to
remember that we are still Democrats, diff
fering totally and radically upon every po-
litical question with those in power, and
that we should see how far we are to 60 on
in the support of this Republican Govern
ment.
You say in your issue that you are against
all compromise, or talk of compromise. 1t
is precisely on that point that we think you
do not represent the feelings of the Demo-
cratic party.
The Republican party is composed Of ex-
ceedingly heterogeneous elements. As a
party before election, its doctrines might be
technically found in its party platform.
As party in power, since election, its
principles could only be authoritativeIy
promulgated by the administration itsel.
All know, as matter of fact, that even
the Chicago platform was unacceptable in
its moderation to large proportion of the
Republican party. All know, too, the strong
aggressive spirit of the abolition element in
that party, and that the peculiar representa-
tives of that element now hold the highest
places in the Cabinet, and that the slight
tendency towards conservatism showed by
one of them, has brought down upon him
the most virulent abuse from the very men
who formerly swore by him.
All know, too, that from the Fourth Of
March last the whole country has hung with
breathless interest upon every word that fell
from the mouth of the administration, in
order that it might know whether we we're
ruled by abolition Republicanism or con.
serpative Republication.
Has any one obtained that knowledge !?
Has not the voice of the abolition element
of that portion of the party in favor of
carrying on the war until all its causes are
effectualy removed from our country" I'M
til slavery, in short, is but history has not
the voice of that portion of the party been
far louder, stronger, more extended, than
that of the so called conservative portion, at
least outside of the government ~
And what one act has been done or word
spoken by this government to let US know
with which wing and upon which platform
it stands? We had hoped something from
the Presidents message. In that, at least,
we should have been told clearly and deci-
dedly, so that we could affirm it to our
Southern brothers in rebellion, that the
government was not the agent of the Abo-
litionists, and that our army was not the
main body of which John Brown and his
cofanatics were the advance guard.
We feel in this fearful conflict now raging
around us, that the true position of the
government is very different from this. We
feel that this rebellion is acholiy, clearly,
absolutely and unqualifedly sOrong; that the
dogma oflsecession is OF all others the most
absurd, irrational, and self destructive ever
adopted as an excuse for an illegal and dis
loyal act /; but we feel at the same time that
the sentiment is almost universal in the
South that the government is one of abso-
lutte, determined hostility to them. 1t no
matter whether with or without reason,
whether through groundless or well
founded fear, the fact is nevertheless per-
fectly apparent as q fact, that the great
mass of the people of the South now deem
the North engaged in an aggressive war
upon them for the destruction Of their prop
erty and the humiliation of their institu-
tions.
1t is idle to say that they ought not to
. feel SO, and that they have no reason to feel
eo-for us the simple fact that they do feel
80 is all sufficient.
Were that in part the object of the war,
were the South right in its belief, we frank.
ly and fairly say that we, for ourselves--we
believe the great mass of the Democratic
party agree with us-would be no party to
this war, and would give it no support.
. And ifsuch be not the object of the war
and II the South is wrong in the belief, why
has not the Administration said SO?
If we do not mean to interfere with the
domestic institution Of the South, what pos
sible objection can there be to pacifyiBg the
honest fears of the South by so stating, even
by amending the Constitution, if so desired2
We do not believe in no talk Of compro~
lea-on the other hand we believe in con-
- ~ r.