The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-10-10
Address Of the Loyal Governors
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES.
ADOPTED AT ALTOONA, PENNSYLVA-
MIA. SEPTEMBER "a.

States, adopted at a meeting of Governors
of the loyal States, to take measures for
the more active support ofthe Government.
held at Altoona, Pa, Sept. "a, 1862:
After nearly one year and half spent
in contest with an armed and gigantic re-
bellion against the national government of
the United States, the duty and purpose
of the loyal States and people continue
and must always remain as they were at
its rigin, namely: to restore and perpet-
uate the authority of this government and
the life of the nation, no matter what con-
sequences are involved in our fidelity
Nevertheless, that work of restoring the
republic, preserving the institutions of our
democratic liberty, and .justifying the hopes
and tolls of our fathers, shall not fail to
be performed, and we pledge, without hes
itation, to the President of the United
States, the most loyal and cordial support
hereafter, as heretofore, in the exercise of
the functions of this great Office. We re-
cognize in him the chief executive magis-
trate of the nation, the commander-in-
chief of the army and navy of the United
States, their responsible and constitutional
head, whose rightful authority and power,
as we'll as the constitutional power of
Congress, must be vigorously and relig-
iously guarded and preserved, as the con-
dition on which alone our form of govern
ment and the constitutional rights and lib
critics of the people themselves can be
saved from the wreck OF anarchy or from
the gulf of despotism.
In submission to the laws which may
have been, or which may be, daily enact
ed, and to the lawful orders of the presi-
dent, cooperating always in our own
spheres with the national government, we
mean to continue in the most vigorous eX-
ercse of all our lawful and proper powers,
contending against treason, rebellion, and
the public enemies, and whether in public
life Or in private station, supporting the
arms of the Uuon, until its cause shall con-
quer-untl final victory shall perch on its
standard, or the rebel foe shall yield, duti-
full, rightfll, and unconditional submission.
And, impressed with the conviction that
an army of reserve ought, until the war
shall end, to be constantly kept on foot,
to be raised, armed, equipped, and trained
at home, and ready for emergencies, we
respectfully ask the president to call for
such force of volunteers, for one years
service, OF not less than 100, 900 in the ag-
gregate, the quota of each State to be rails
ed after it shall have filled its quotas of the
acquisitions already made for volunteers
and for militia. We believe that this will
be measure of military prudence, while
it would greatly promote the military edu-
cation of the people.
We hail with heartfelt gratitude and en-
couraged hope the proclamation of the
president, issued on the 22d of September,
declaring emancipated from their bondage
all persons held to service or labor as slaves
in the rebel States whose rebellion shall
last until the first day of January.
The right of any person to retain autho-
rity to compel any portion of the subjects
of the national government to rebel against
it, or to maintain its enemies, implies in
those who are allowed the possession OF
such authority to rebel themselves, and
therefore the right to establish martial law
or military government in State in rebel
ion implies the right and the duty of the
government to liberate the minds Of all
persons living therein, by an appropriate
| proclamation and assurances OfprOtectiOn,
in order that all who are capable, intel
lectually and morally, Of loyalty and Obe-
dience, may not be forced into treason as
the willing tools of rebellious traitors. To
have continued indefinitely the most eff
cient cause, support and stay OF the REBEL
| ion, would have been in our Judgment I'M
just to the people whose treasure and lives
are made willing sacrifice on the altar OF
patriotism. We would discriminate against
the wife who is compelled to surrender her
husband, against the parent who is to SUI
render his child to the hardships OF the
camp and the perils of battle, and in favor
| of rebel masters permitted to retain their
slaves.
1t would be final decision alike against
humanity, justice, the rights and dignity OF
the government, and against sound and
wise national policy. The decision of the
President to strike at the root of the re-
bellion will lend new vigOr to the efforts,
and new life and hope to the hearts of the
people.
Cordially rendering to the President our
respectful assurances of personal and Off
cial confidence, we trust and believe that
the policy now inaugurated will be crowned
with success, and will give speedy and tri-
umphant victories over our enemies, and
secure the nation and people the blessing
and favor of Almighty God. We believe
that the blood of the heroes who have al
ready fallen, and those who may yet give
up their lives to their country, will not
have been shed in vain.
The splendid valor of our soldiers, the
patient endurance, their manly patriotism,
and their devotion to duty, demand from
us, and from all their countrymen, the
homage of the sincerest gratitude and the
pledge of our constant reinforcement and
support. A just regard to those brave
men whom we have contributed to place
in the field, and for the Importance ofthei1
duties which may lawfully pertain to us
hereafter, has called us into friendly conf
dence.
And now, presenting to our national
chief magistrate this conclusion of our de-
alterations, we devote ourselves to our
| I II. .