The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-09-20

The profoundest teachers of political philos-
ophy, whose instructions, if comprehended,
would avert national disasters, have few
hearers, and fewer readers. ssg3s ~
Politicians look upon the proceedings Of
the Hartford Convention only as maga-
zine Of materials for party defamation, and
not as solemn warning of the fact, that
conflicting interests were growing up in the
country, and controversies impending, which
must be extinguished by compromise or
blood. But compromise is concession-se.
curity demanded by the weak from the
strong. The party making the demard feels
humiliated by such necessity, and secretly
desires provoking rejection. The party
thus challenged, conceives that to yield
would be disparagement of courage, pow
er, and authority; and rejects the proposal
with arrogance or silent contempt. Com
promises, therefore, between great interests
or sections are worthless, and unenduring,
unless deeply dyed in human blood. Such
is the testimony of all history and the rea-
son is, that the party called upon to concede
a compromise. is at the same time required
to surrender power.
Love of power is the vitalizing instinct
around which cluster all the passions and
affections of human nature. 1t is the first
developed in infancy, and the last enfeebled
by old age. 1t makes men brave, ambi-
tious, patriotic, and rebellious. Only in
meaner natures its centre and circumfer-
ence is self; with the generous, its boundas
ries enclose family, clan, class, party, sec>
ton, state, nation. Educated mind explores
new fields for its exercise in this world
religious devotion extends the area of it's
conquests to eternity.
All human strife, from the creation of
Adam until now, are but the exercise and
development of this instinct, which even in
Heaven and Paradise rose up to challenge
Almighty Power, making government,
which is a truce of peace, everywhere neces-
sary. 1t is the motive power of all human
action-the impelling force of progress. 1t
is always sincere, selfapproved. The mind
is ever ready to defend it with logic, and
the conscience to grant absolution Tor its
crimes. When once fully aroused, it never
yields loyal obedience to superior force. 1t
may be bound in chains, exiled, annihIated,
but while life remains, this passion, having
tasted blood, is unconquerable, and until
exhausted, uncompromising. We have this
to learn.
The struggle. for power between the
Northern and Southern States, which be.
gan in the Continental Congress, was con-
tinued through the Confederation was
apparently compromised in the Constitu.
tional Convention, but has never ceased,
and never can, until settled by the sword.
To suppose any other issue is to confess
ignorance of the nature of man, and OF the
history of our race. l-
As already intimated, the contest origi.
mated in geographical diversity and oppo.
sing interest. At the time of the Hartford
Convention the South was agricultural, the
North commercial. Between the two,
politicians on both sides provoked prejudice
and hostility. The two interests were sup.
posed by the South to be antagonistic.
By the creation of new States in the
West and Southwest, in which New York
and Pennsylvania were directly interested,
and therefore aided the Southern States,
the New England States lost 'stheir" power.
To provide remedy for this evil, dstin.
guished citizens OF Hampshire, Hampden
and Franklin counties in the State of Mas
sachusetts, issued circular letter, recom-
mendiDg petitions to the Legislature of the
State, to call convention to provide means
for redress of grievances, and this was the
origin of that notable. .asse mbly-the Hart
ford Convention.
, This document, which was extensively
circulated, urges that the Constitution
should be so amended that a slim sd
The Northern and commercial States can
enjoy the advantages to which their wealth,
strength and white population justly entitle
them. By means of the representation of the
slaves, the Southern States have an influence
in our national councils altogether dispropor.
toned to their wealth, strength and resources.
In addition to this, the creation of new
States in the South and out of the original
limits of the United States, has increased the
Southern interest which has appeared SO hos
tile to the peace and commercial prosperity of
the Northern States. This power assumed by
Congress, of bringing into the Union new
States, not comprehended within the territory
compact, is deemed arbitrary, unjust and