The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-09

in every instance, deprive State of all
power of visiting bands of murderers, al
though not her own citizens, invading her
soil and destroying the lives of her people,
with q merited punishment. State sove-
reignty, without this would be mere bau-
BILE, Of no avail for the protection of her
own dignity, Or the defence of her citizens.
The trainers of our constitution felt this,
and with express reference to the not in
frequent incursions of savages on the from
tier settlements, in the early history of the
country, inserted an important exception to
the exclusive power of making war vested
in Congress, viz " No State shall engage
in war unless actually invaded or in such
iminent danger as will not admit of delay"
Hence, upon the invasion of Virginia by
John Brown and his associates, that State
unhesitatingly assumed the power of trying,
convicting and furnishing, under her own
laws, the invaders of her soil; power
which was then and has ever been I'M
questioned.
So, upon the first rumor Of the raid up
on our borders, the State Militia were at
once summoned to the rescue of our en-
dangered settlements. A commander was
appointed by State authority and the State
found herself engaged in defensive war;
The case contemplated by the Constitution
had arisen.
By this commander holding his commits
sion under the great seal of the State, these
Indian captives were taken and bya tribu-
nal, instituted by him, were tried and con-
victed
If in this instance then the sovereign
power of engaging in war was clearly in
the State, can the means by which war is
successfully prosecuted be denied her?
May she raise armies and take prisoners,
and shall she not dispose Of those prison.
ers when taken?
These are questions, gentlemen, of deep
and engrossing interest to our people, and
to them your careful consideration is invi-
ted. And while avoiding all improper collis-
ion with the National Government, l have
no doubt that you will take such action
that the rights and dignity of our State may
be fully indicated and maintained.
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.
The proportions Of that gigantic rebel
lion, whose first murmur, eighteen months
ago, summoned the nation to arms, if in
some respects diminished, are unhapply still
formidable.
The brilliant series of victories, which in
the early half Of the past year, carried the
triumphant ensigns of the republic far into
the heart of the Confederate States, have
been followed by a succession of disasters,
which have only for brief period, we may
hope, delayed the glorious contamination,
for which the patriot host are gallantly
contending.
Amid the gloom which has during the
past year enshrouded our distracted coun-
try, and the scenes of savage carnage
which have devastated the fairest portions
Of our own State,it is, at least, some conso-
latiOn for US to know, that Minnesota has
continued promptly to respond to the de-
mands of the nation. That in the days of
our peril the work of recruiting has never
tagged that while the scalping knife of
the savage was destroying their loved ones
at home: that while their burning cot
tages were lighting up the midnight hour,
her sons have followed their banner to the
'front.' upon the banks of the Potomac, or
met q soldiers death upon the victorious
fields of the southwest, and their gallant
exploits have won for our State an mper-
ishabe name.
While it is true that the decisive victo-
ries, which the mercurial temperament of
our people have demanded are still delay
ed, we may remember that the annals of
history afford no record of an entire sup
nf ~n0fr no
space of a few brief months.
The mighty forces Of a great nation are
slowly organized, and often retarded and
checked for brief period by that furious
energy, which guiding the first blows of
rebellion, drives its blinded votaries on to
deeds of desperate daring. But the patri-
otto fortitude of q people engaged in a lust
cause, supported by the prestige Of estab-
lished powers and the eXhaustless resources
ofa prosperous nation, gathers new strength
in the contest as the spasmodic energies of
treason decay.
We may also remember, that the dear
bought honors of barren victory are not
the only fruits OF the patriotic exertions of
our people.
In addition to the capture of New Or
leans, long ruled wisely and well by the
leader of a victorious Federal army, the
rescue of Kentucky and Missouri, to whose
people the bayonets ofloyal squadrons have
already been the cleaning harbingers of
emancipation, a victory, more grand than
any which is wrung from hostile legions
amid the dismal thunders of battles, has
been achieved
We may almost say, that to-day, the sun
in his course shines upon no American
bondsman. By the Proclamation of the
President, the shackles have fallen from
the limbs Of nearly every slave.
For the first time in the history of the
American Republic, we are in deed, as we
long have been in name, a nation of free
men.
In conclusion gentlemen let us hope
that the work thus auspiciously begun, by
the pen of the President may be carried for
ward by the fresh battalions which the pa
triotic loyaltyof our people has so prompt
ly furnished him; that the reverses, which
have cast an ephemeral gloom over the
hearts Of the nation, may, under leaders of
approved conduct and undoubted loyalty,
be speedily wiped out, in victories like
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