The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-11-07

modified by events, as well as subject to
such changes of views, respecting the ex-
tent OF his own powers, as more mature,
and possibly a more enlightened consider
ton may produce.
In April, 1861, the President issued his
declaring that he would treat
as pirates all persons who should cruise,
under the authority of the so-called Con-
federate States, against the commerce of
the United States.
But the subsequent events induced him,
with general acquiescence to exchange
them as prisoners of war. Not from any
tickleness of purpose; but because the in
terests of the country imperatively de-
manded this departure from his proposed
course of action.
In like manner, it islnot to be doubted by
any one who esteems the President honest
ly DESTROYS to do his duty to the country,
under the best lights possible, that when
the time for his action on his present proc
lamations and others shall arrive, it will be
in conformity with his own wishes, that he
should have those lights which are best
elected in this country by temperate and
well-cOnsidered public discussion; discus
sion, not only of the practical consequent
ces of the proposed measures, but of his
own constitutional power to decree and ex-
ecute them.
The Constitution has made it incumbent
on the President to recommend to Con-
gresS such measures as he shall deem nee
essary and expedient. Although Congress
will have been in session nearly thirty days
before any executive action is proposed to
be taken on this subject of emancipation,
it can hardly be supposed that this procla
nation was intended to be recemmenda-
ton to them. Still, in what the President
may perhaps regard as having some flavor
of the spirit of the Constitution, he makes
known to the people of the United States
his proposed future executive action; GER
tainly not expecting or desiring that they
should be Indifferent to such a momentous
proposal, or should fail to exercise their
best judgments, and afford their best coun-
sells upon what SO deeply concerns them
selves.
Our public affairs are in a condition to
render unanimity, not only in the public
councils of the nation, but among the peo-
pie themselves, of the first Importance.
But the President must have been aware.
when he issued these proclamations, that
nothing approaching towards unanimity
upon their subjects could be attained,
among the people, save through their pub
lie discussion. And as his desire to act in
accordance with the wisest and best settled
and most energetic popular sentiment can
not be doubted, we may justly believe that
executive action has been postponed,
among other reasons, for the very purpose
OF allowing time for such discussion.
And, in reference to the last proclama-
ton, and the orders of the Secretary of
War, intended to carry it into practical
effect, though their operations is imme-
date, SO far as their express declarations
can make them so, they have not yet been
practically appl ed to such an extent, or
in such way, as not to allow it to be sup
posed that the grounds upon which they
rest are open for examination.
However this may be, these are subjects
in which the people have vast concern. 1t
is their right, it is their duty to themselves
and to their posterity, to examine and to
consider and to decide upon them; and no
citizen is faithful to his great trust if he
fail to do so, according to the best light he
has, or can obtain. And if, finally, such
examination and consideration shall end
in diversity Of opinion, it must be accepted
as justly attributable tothe questions them
selves, or to the men who have made them.
1t has been attempted by some partisan
journals to raise the cry of disloyalty''
against any one who should question these
executive acts.
But the people of the United States
know that loyalty is not subserviency to
man, or to party, or to the opinions of
newspapers; but that it is an honest and
wise devotion to the safety and welfare Of
our country, and to the great principles
which our constitution of government EN-
bodies, by which alone that safety and vel
fare can be secured. And, when those
principles are put in jeopardy, every true
loyal man must interpose, according to his
ability, or be an unfaithful citizen.
This is not a government of men, 1t is
Il government OF laws. And the laws are
required by the people to be in conformity
with their will, declared by the Constitu-
ton. Our loyalty is due to that will.
Our obedience is due to those laws and
he who would induce submission to other
laws, springing from sources of power not
originating in the people, but in casual
events, and in the mere will of the occu-
pants of places of power, does not exhort
us to loyalty, but to desertiOn of our
trust.
That they whose principles he questions
have the conduct of public affairs; that
the times are most critical; that public
unanimity is highly necessary while these
facts afford sufficient reasons to restrain all
opposition upon any personal or party
grounds, they can afford no good reason
hardly plausible apology-for failure to
oppose usurpation of power, which, if ac-
guessed in and established, must be fatal
to free government.
The war in which we are engaged is a
just and necessary war. 1t must be prose-
cuted with the whole force of this Govern
ment till the military power of the South
is broken, and they submit themselves to
their duty to obey, and our right to have
ebeyed, the Constitution of the United
States as ''the supreme law of the land. :"
D. a