The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-04-26

the Mass Meeting OF Citizens 1T st.
Paul. Thursday Night, the 18th inst.
We have met for the purpose of making but
one expression. That terrible calamity, q
collision Of arms between the North and the
South, which has been SO long predicted by
some in certain contingencies, and considered
now seems inevitable.
Twas one of those who thought, even after
the present administration came into power.
that q line of policy might be adopted which
would reunite the States, and preserve the
Union without dishonor or Injustice to either
section. The time, however, when that could
have been done, if at all, is now past, and it
then became evident that the only peaceful
solution of our troubles was to acknowledge
This was rendered impossible, however, with
out dishonor to the North, by the hasty and
inconsiderate action Of the revolutionists.
forts have been taken, the public property
and the authority Of the Federal Government
wholly denied. The shameless manner in
which treason has carried itself for the last
six months, in bankrupting the national
treasury, disarming the North and armng the
sSs the navy placing ag com
ledge and tor the purpose of having them given
up to the traitors, and various other acts, have
been sufficient to send the blood through
American veins with lightning speed. And
uOW tuo turcdL IL mdu0 W SclAc Iuo udIiOuoI
capital by the rebels, and drive away those
whom the people have placed in power. Under
these circumstances the President calls upon
the people Tor aid to uphold the Union and the
Constitution. What shall be our response!
For one, say, as matters now stand, grant
the aid required. When the edi6ce that shelters
and protects US all is on fire, it is not the
part of wisdom to stop to inquire after the
incendiary, or by whose fault or gross neg.
ligence, it is Occasioned, but We should
ii, ,v,;<o 10 oxrk;n tho Ham md fho
edi6ce. So now, when our national existence
is threatened, we should not stop to inquire by
whose fault we have thus been imperiled, but
should obliterate all party lines, forget for
the present all past party differences, and
unite to save our nation and our national
honor.
In my humble judgment, it is now too late
to think of settling our difficulties and pre-
serving the Union by making concessions to
the South. Concessions Twill not now satisfy
independence without dish0nOr and disgrace to
ourselves, which am IT wiling to submit to.
Matters have now drifted along until it now
seems to me that there is no such thing as liv-
ing with the South without fight, unless you
let her have her own way in all things, whether
in or out of the Union and for one, as a
Northern man, prefer settling the matter by
an appeal to arms, rather than submit to the
destruction of the Government, and the dis
grace of the North.
adjusting our troubles except by an appeal to
arms. Ibelieve that that most terrible of all
calamities, fearful struggle for existence and
supremacy, between the north and the south,
is upon us. While this contest will partake OF
all the horrors incident to civil war, 1T will
also asSimilate to q war between two nations;
in that the line of dsuni0n will be as distinct
ly drawn as that which separates the French
from the English. l can see no end to this con-
test but in the defeat, subjugation and humilia-
fhoa 40 q Nnrfh
man, l shall stand by my own section in such
struggle. shall stand by the Government
and those in authority, so long as their efforts
are directed to uphold the Government and the
honor of the country. l will not stop to in
quire, at present, why this or that line Ofpolicy
is adopted.
confess that careful study of history and
observation Of events and men, has forced my
mind to the conviction that the purpose to dis
rupt the Government and establish Southern
Confederacy originated more than twenty
years ago, and that has been spreading, gain.
ing strength and maturing in the Southern
mind without any cessation. This project was
confined to only the leading discontinued spIr.
its. The time to precipitate the revolution
was to be when the power of the government
passed from their control. Having matured
their plans, they determined to divide the
Dem ocratic party and let the Republicans into
power, and then make the success OF the Re-
publicans the preteXt of disrupting the nation,
ventions at Charleston and Baltimore, and
subsequent events.
With the leaders the movement Is not pc
cause they think their slave property would
not be safe under the administration OF any
party having the control OF the Government,
| but n order to carry the people with them ii
| was necessary to excite their apprehension
| and belief that there would be no security fOl
| slave property with the Republicans in power
and they have succeeded in creating such pc
| will fhn hQ
cause they did not head of the traitors by dis
abusing the public mind of the South OF any
and all grounds of fear or apprehension in this
respect. But whatever grounds for apprehen'
sion there may have been in regard to the in
security Of slave property, there was certainly
nothing to Justify the course they have taken
and they have now forfeited all right to N orth
! ern sympathy.
In my humble opinion, the people of the
South have altogether too poor an opinion O
the bravery of the North. lDeafening ap
plause.] The Northern people are Industrious
Look throug hout all the Northern States, ant
you find our vast population engaged IN ag
ricu!ture, manufactures, commerce, &C. W.
don't wish to fight. We don't wish to engagt
IN any of these collisions. We have been will
ing to put up with insults, or what they would
call insults, for long time before resentinl
them and our southern brethren have come
to believe that we would submit to any insul
or degradation rather than fight. They seen
pie are to be no more respected and have nj
more courage than the plantation slaves. Now
in my opininn in that they are greatly mis-
taken. Although we are slow to get into
fight, yet when we cannot pursue our peacea
BILE occupations without being Inundated b.
their insults, we will lay aside our employ
ments, and unsheath the sword, until our cour
age and honor is indicated, and these traitor
put down. Loud applause.] If you Loo
around, my friends, you will find that there ar
oraat numher in The southern states VIII
have been against the disunion Of these states
You find these Union men in every instance
however, when their state has revolted agains
the government, unite as one man to sustai
the action of the majority, Can we not Of tn
north initiate their example in this respect an
forget party distinctions tor the time, and main
tain the honor and integrity OF our nation
am well satisfied from the reports that come t
us from all sections of the country, that if me
and money can maintain the honor Of this ma
ton, it will be done. [Cries OF good, good u
We will give the South to understand tns
if they are going out of this Union, they cal