The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-02-15

Seven States of the Confederacy have
seeded from the Union, and by the solemn
and unanimous act of their people, thrown
off all allegiance to the Federal Govern.
ment. Grant that their action has been
illegal-that there can be no peaceable Sc.
cession-that the people of the seeding
States are traitors-yet the fact of secession
remains unimpaired, despite all our theories
and arguments. And the people of the dis
associated States are determined to MAIN
tain their position, even accepting the al
tentative of war. if it is presented to them.
Seven other States-loyal and true to
the Union in times past-demand redress
of grievances, and additional constitutional
guarantees for the protection of their rights
under the Federal Constitution. Unless
this is granted, they too will secede, and ally
their fortunes with their more southern
neighbors. No intelligent observer can
doubt this statement, for the telegraph daily
demonstrates its truth, and reports with
fearful accuracy the spread of the revolu-
ton in the Border States.
At this juncture, Virginia comes for
ward with peace Offering -with propo.
sition by which the revolution may be
stayed, further secession prevented, and
even the.seceding States won back to their
allegiance. The Old Dominion has pecu-
liar claims to be recognized as a Paci6cator
n the revelation, it was her HENRY whose
thrilling notes awoke the slumbering, by
the terrible battle cry of "L1BERTY OR
DEATH" she gave us WASHINGTON, who led
the armies of the revolution in triumph, and
by his wisdom and unselish patriotism
achieved our national independence, and
strengthened and maintained it, by the Or
ganization of Constitutional government
she gave us JEFFERSON, the immortal author
of the Declaration of Independence, and
MADISON, the Father of the Constitution.
But these were not the only jewels. The
Northwestern territory, now carved into
magnificent and populous States, was
donation to the Federal Government from
Virginia.
Her past history and present position.
therefore, entitIe Virginia to be heard with
respect, in the present crisis. In concilia-
tory spirit she courteously invites, by solemn
act of her State Legislature, "all such
States, whether slaveholdlng or non-slave-
holding, as are willing to unite with Vir-
ginia in an earnest effort to adjust the pres
ent unhappy controversies, in the Esprit in
which the Constitution was originally
formed, and consistently with its principles"
to send Commissioners to National Con.
veution to meet at Washington, on the 4th
of February. She appoints her most illus
trious statesmen as Commissioners. Ken
lucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee,
Maryland, and Arkansas-all on the verge
of revolution-respond to this patriotic in
walton. Many of the Northern States send
delegates, and a Convention of Commission
ers, unsurpassed in the ability, integrity
and patriotism of its members, is now in
session at Washington, in obedience to the
call, endeavoring to conciliate the unhappy
differences between the North and South.
But how does MiHnesota-the Repub-
Iican party of Minnesota to this
call? When resolutions for the appoint
ment of Peace Commissioners were first in
troduced into the Senate, they were con-
temptuously rejected. Our Congressman,
who are upon the great theatre of action
and who necessarily possess peculiar means
of information, unite in despatch to Gov
ernor RAMSEY, urging that Minnesota send
Commissioners to the Peace Congress. The
Governor transmits this request to the
Legislature, in message,which for coward
" REORGANIZATION, is unprecedented even
in the estate papers, Of ALEX. RAMSEY.
Here il is. We embalm it for the benefit
of posterity;
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