The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-05-23

whole under the pleasing title of "The Duty
of the Hour" We copy:
New Orleans, in this hour of adversity,
by the calm dignity she displays in the
presence of the enemy, by the proof she
gives of her unhinching determination to
sustain unto the very uttermost the
righteous cause for which she has done
so much and made such great sacrifices, by
her serene endurance undismayed of the
evil which aflicts her, and her abiding con-
fidence in the not distant coming of better
and brighter days-of speedy deliverance
from the enemy's toils-is showing bright
example to her sister cities, and proving
herself, in all respects, worthy of the proud
position she has achieved. We glory in be.
ing citizen of this great metropolis.
We have devoted freely of our men,
our substance and our exertions in de-
fence of our beloved city, and we have moth.
ing wherewith to reproach ourselves in the
way of deriliction or neglect of duty to
accomplish that object. We have not sue.
ceeded. A superior force, availing itself of
means of approach we had not the power to
resist, and of an arm in which we were not
capable of competing with it, has accom-
plished its purpose, and stands before our
city debating to us terms of surrender.
1t now dev0lves upon us to meet the ext
gency with dignity-not with craven sub
missiveness on the one hand, nor, as the
Mayor says, with independent alacrity on
the other but with calm and reliant hope
for the moment, which we may confidently
trust is not remote, when our brethren and
countrymen will achieve our deliverance.
.... NO UNION SENTIMENT.
The Crescent of the 29th counsels the
people not to insult the federal forces, but
to await, with unhinching spirits the time
when the free, unfettered soul may send
forth its natural and patriotic impulses"
The Crescent adds:
1t is with feelings of the deepest pride
that we point the federal officers to the fact
that no Union sentiment exists in our
midst-tbat with almost one voice and with
one tongue this community entirely repu.
dates al! allegiance to the old government,
and warmly and devotedly adheres to the
new. And we respectfully but firmly as,
sert that this sentiment, this feeling, is so
firmly implanted in the breasts of our peo-
pie that no time, 10 circumstances, no
change can serve to eradicate it, or still
their free souls in the struggle for their in
dependence. They have suffered, they may
suffer unspeakably in the future, but we
hazard nothing in saying that no sacrifice,
even to the last life, will be too much to
accomplish the one great, mighty and glo.
rious undertaking. This we honestly be-
lieve, and while we do not utter our con-
victions in vain glorious spirit, we will
not shrink from their free and independent
expression.
We may be conquered, not subdued."
We may be defenceless, but the craven heart
must not be found among US who would
ingloriously yield obedience to an unjust de
mand. Our powerful enemy may "cry
havoc, and let slip the dogs Of war;" and a
generous, brave, devoted people suffer the
horrors thereof, and the innocent welter in
their gore. God forbid! We do not be.
lieve it. The world would stand aghast.
All Christendom would wake as from a
horrid dream, and retribution, dire and ter
rible, be visited upon the perpetrators of
the dastardly outrage. No! We will do
our enemy the justice to believe them inca-
pable of such an atrocity. They are men
must have the souls of men-and how
ever much their devotion to their ca use and
flag, they must remember and grant us the
same rectitude of purpose, and still more,
the God given right to protect our homes.
.. EFFECTS UPON BUSINESS.
"We entertain hopes" says the Crescent,
"that the future in store for our city will
reriunerate us for all the trouble and DIES,
pondency which is now suspending over the
community" 1t is frankly added that the
panic has run its course, end that, "under
the assurance of the commanding officer of
the United States forces opposite the city,"
many stores which have been closed will
soon be reopened. Nevertheless, so COM
p!etely had the rebel authorities exhausted
the resources of the city, both in money and
provisions, that the Crescent mourns over
the probability of famine. 1t says:
Starvation and famine really stare one
half of our population in the face. We
are blockaded above and below-all round
in fact. The Jackson Railroad Company
has suspended its regular trains; communi.
cation with Red river--from which section
several boat loads or parts of loads of sup
plies were expected, having been purchased
by the Committee of Saiety--is debarred
by fear Of capture by the invading squad.
ron. The food question looks dishearteuing
unless some providential act turns up in our
favor.
Here is striking picture of the results of
rebellion in the richest city of the South.
The Confederate currency, also, has Sudden-
~ been discovered to be worthless, for the
Crescent adds:
If we could return forthwith to specie
currency, it would rebound to the good of
all. True, millions of dollars of the coin
that were here are now no longer here. All
expectation that coin payments would be
continued on the part of our banks (provi-
ded they open doors again. must be fer the
present abandoned. In many instances, du-
r;no the mast few DAYS. there has been dis