The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-13

Wv w iio' was painfully uncertain then is
much better defined and more distinct now,
ana tne progress OF events is plainly in the
rignt dIrectlon. The insurgents confidently
claimed a strong support from north of Ma.
son and Diqon's line, and the friends of the
Union were not free from apprehension ON
this point.
This, however, was soon settled definitely.
and on the right slde-south Of the line.
Noble little Delaware led off right from the
first. Maryland was made to seem apainst
the Union our soldiers were assaulted
bridges were burned, and railroads torn mn
within her limits, and we were manv davs
at one time without the ability to bring
single regiment over her soil to the capital
Now her bridges and railroads are prepared
and opened to the Government; she already
gives seven regiments to the cause of the
Union, and none to the enemy, and her
people at regular. election have sustained
the the Union by large majority, and by
larger aggregate vote than they ever gave
before to any candidate or to any question.
Kentucky, too, for some time in doubt. is
now decidedly, and L think MECHANICALLY,
ranged on the side of the Union. Missouri
is comparatively quiet and L believe cannot
again be overrun by the insurgents. These
three states Of Maryland, Kentucky and Mis-
gle soldier at first, have now an aggre-
gate of not less than 10000 in the field for
the Union, while of their citizens not more
than third in number are among the insur-
gents, and they Of doubtful whereabouts
and existence.
After somewhat bloody struggle of months
winter closes on the Union people Of Western
Virginia, leaving them masters of their own
country. An lnsurgent force sOf about 1900
dominating the narrow peninsular region
constituting the counties of Accomac and
Northampton and known as the Eastern
shore Of Virginia, together with some CONT
guous parts of Maryland, have laid down
their arms, and the people there have renew
ed their allegiance to and accepted the pro-
lection OF the old flag. This leaves no arm
ed lnsurrectlon north of the Potomac or east
OF the Chesapeake.
Also, we have obtained a footing at each
Of the island points on the southern coast at
Hatteras, Port Royal, Tybee Island near Sa-
vannah, and Ship Island, and we likewise
have had several accounts Of popular move
ments In behalf of the Union in North Caro-
lima and Tennessee. These things demon
strate that the cause Of the Union is advan-
cling steadily southwark.
Since your last adjournment Lieut.. General
Scott has retired from the head of the ar
my. During his long life, the nation has
not been unmindful OF his merit, vet on
calling to mind how faithfully ably and
brilliantly he has served the country from
a time far back in our history, when few of
the now living had been born, and thence
forward continually, l cannot but think that
we are still his debtor. submit, therefore,
for your consideration what further mark
CT recognition is due to him and ourselves
as grateful people.
With the retirement of General Scott
came the executive duty of appointing in
10 stead a General-in-Chief of the army
1t is fortunate circumstance that neither
III council nor country was there. so far as
know, any difference of opinion as to the
proper person to be selected. The retiring
chief repeatedly expressed his Judgment in
favor of Gen. Mcclellan for the position,
and in this the nation seemed to give an
unanimous concurrence. The designation
OF Gen. Mcclellan is, therefore, in a consid-
cradle degree, the selection of the country,
as well as OF the executive, and hence there
is better reason to hope there will be given
him the confidence and cordial support thus
by fair implication promised, and without
which he cannot with so full efficiency serve
the country.
1t has been said that one bad general is
better than two good ones, and the saying
is true If takent mean no more-that an
army is better directed by single mind
though inferior, than by two pugerior ones
at variance and cross purposes, and the same
Is true In all joint operations wherein those
engaged can have none but common end
in view and differ only in the choice of
means. In storm at sea no one can wish
the ship to sink, and yet not unfreauently
they all go down together because too many
will direct and no single mind will be al
lowed to control.
Itcontlnues to develop too, that the insur-
rection Is lergely, If not exclusively, at war
with the first principles of popular govern
right Of the people. Conclusive
evidence to this is found in the most grave
and maturely considered public documents,
as we'll as in the general tone nf the insur-
gents.
In these documents, we find the abridge-
ment OF the existing right Of suffrage and the
denial to the people of all right to participate
in the selection of public officers, except the
legislative body, advocated with labored
to prove that large control of the
Government In the people, is the source of
ali political evil. Monarchy itself, is some
times limited as possible refuge from the
power of the people.
justified were to omit to raise warning
voice against this apprOac hof returning des-
potism. 1t is not needed nor fitting here
that general argument should be made in
favor of popular institutions; but there is
one point with its connections not so hack
neyed as most others, to which l ask brief
1t is the effort to place capital on
an equal footing with, if not above labor, in
the structure OF the Government.
1t is assumed that labor is available only
in connection with capital, that nobody la
bors unless somebody else owning capital
some how by the use of it induces him to Ia.
Dor. This assumed, it is next considered
whether if is best that capital shall hire la.
borers, and thus induce them to work bv
their own consent, or buy them and drive
them to it without their consent. Having
proceeded so far, it is naturally concluded
that all laborers are either hired laborers or
what we call slaves, and further it is assum.
ed that whoever is once hired laborer is
fixed in that condition for life.
Now there is no such relation between
capltal and labor as assumed, nor is there
81