St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1862-01-09
PROSE- ECTUS
The st. CLOUD 9e&l1ofrat.
.=a ~
186 q:

We hold it to be se1f-evident truth that al
mankind were horn free, with an inalienable
right to their own mental and physical powers
for their own benefit and that all laws which
deprive any clAss Of the community of their
personal liberty or their natural right to the
proceeds of their own labor, are unjust and
oppressive, and that active opposition to such
laws is an imperative duty enjoined by the
law Of God, and hallowed by the observance
Of good and great men in oil ages.
We hold that American Slavery is q combi-
nation Of al! crimes against God and man-''the
sun, Of oil villianies"-that it is contrary to
the revealed will Of God and the Constitution
of the United States, and that as Christians
and Patriots all men are in duty bound to labor
for its immediate and utter extinction. We
say immediate" extinction,-First, Because
there is no rule in religion, ethics or common
law to warrant the continuance of Wrong
for any period. Second, Because the history
of immediate emancipation in St. Domingo
and the West India Isles proves the wisdom
and safety of this summary justice.
We hold that the recognition Of the South
ern Confederacy and separation of the States
would be much less evil than the reconstruc-s
ton Of the Union with any guarantee for or
recognition Of, slavery !; for So long as this is
permitted to exist, we have an institution at
war with every principle of self government,
and one which willinevitably bring destruction
to the entire Republic.
We hold that that portion of the old English
Common Law, now in full force in all parts Of
the United and Confederate States, which en-
acts that "the husband is entitled to his wifes
services, and to all the property she may &C.
quire by her labor, service or act during her
coverture, Is an outrage on natural light which
finds its parallel in the slave cede Of the South
ern States, which has the same provision in
| in case of master and slave.
We hold that as women have as much at
stake in TIE prosperity of government, and are
often called upon to suffer more than men from
war and other political evils as she is COM
PEELED to contribute for the maintenance Of
government, and to obey the laws or suffer the
penalties, she has an inalienable right to
voice in the management Of state affairs.
We hold that Minnesota is the white mans
paradise; has the finest climate and best
| wheat lands on the continent; that she can
produce more and better butter, cheese, beef,
mutton, and wool to the square acre than any
State in the Union or out Of it; that her clear,
bracing air is well calculated to produce Wig
| orous intellects, generous impulses, erect spi-
| nal columns, and firm muscles in her sons and
| daughters; and that therefore she will always
contribute her full share to TIE maintenance
| OF our country, and stand in Freedoms Van
| guard.
TO the advocacy of these principles tho
! ST. CLOUD DEMOCRAT has been, and will
be, devoted. We have been sustained, encour-
| aged and supported in this cause far past all
reasonable expectation and asking contin-
uance and increase of support during the ON
| nous year dawning upon us, We leave our case
with the friends Of Humanity everywhere, with
our friends, and those interested in dissemina-
| ting correct information about Northern Min
ncsota.