The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-09-11
The Democratic State Convention and
the Democracy of Minnesota.

From the Shakopee tScott co., Argus, Dem.l
There never was a delegated convention
of any political party, if judged by the re-
cord they have made, when considered
together, that more thoroughly and COM
pletely misrepresented the party they
claimed to represent, than the one that
met in St. Paul on the Goth of August last.
The platform adopted by the convention,
when considered independent of and apart
from tne proceedings connected with it, iu
rejecting proposed amendments and in
nominating some of the most radical and
obnoxious Copperheads in the State, con-
tains nothing Objectionable, and, so far as it
goes, is good enough; but it does not con-
tain that which the great mass of the Dem
ocracy of the State desire it should con-
tain, tO-wit: the statement and assurance
that the Democracy of Minnesota, stead
fast in their devotion to the old flag, and
ever ready and willing to defend it and
their country against all enemies, are at
this time in favor of sustaining the Gov
eminent in the prosecution of the war-of
pushing unhesitatingly forward against the
insOlent and bOastful foe until the last
echo of rebel cannon shall have died
away, and our flag, unstained by dishonor-
able compromises with rebels in arms
against us, shall float in triumph through
out all rebeldOm- terror to traitors, as
it has ever been to tyrants.
To give expression to this truly patri-
otto and democratic sentiment, and to dis
prove the charges so often made against
the Democracy, of opposition to the war,
Col. Robertson offered the following reso-
luton, to be inserted in the platform:
Resolced, That we look to the army and navy
OF the Union to regain and retain every inch of
national territory without any compromise
with rebels in arms; and we look to the loyal
and faithful people of the South, when the re-
bellion shall be terminated by military force,
to resume the administration OF their State gov
ernments; and we look to the Supreme Court
to settle definitely and finally the constitutional
rights of communities and individuals as
affected by the events of the war; and upon
this broad and comprehensive basis of agree
ment among all good citizens, and in common
with the loyal masses OF the American people,
we propose to ''move upon the enemys works
until we force an unconditional surrender"
This resolution was defeated by those
who are opposed to sustaining the Govern
ment in the prosecution of the war-not
by direct vote, SO as to test the feeling
of the Convention; for this they dared
not do; but by concOcted system OF
chicanery and sharp practice, in which
they were assisted to any extent their ne
cessities required, by the President of the
Convention. We say defeated by those
who opposed the prosecution Of the war,
for some of those who opposed the reso-
luton, openly declared their opposition to
a further prosecution of the war, and none
of their number denied the charge when
made against them, as it openly was, IN
the Convention. This is the true ground
of opposition to the resolution, although
another has been assigned, which is stated
by Judge Mcdonald in his letter published
last week. He says:
1t was correctly held that under that resolu-
ton, no concession, OF any kind, could be made