davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
Russian Reforms and Progress.

Intelligence of an interesting character
respecting the internal progress of Russia,
received from private sources in st. Peters
burg, finds its way into the English papers
by way of Vienna 1t is stated that the
reported intention Of the Emperor to pro-
mulgate a constitution for the whole of
Russia has made an extraordinary impress
sion in st. Petersburg, for even the most
influential persons knew nothing of the
fact. 1t has been long known that the
Emperor cherished an intention of enlarg-
ing the powers of the deliberative bodies
in the empire itself, as well as in its de-
tendencies, of increasing their number,
and Of giving them greater influence over
the resolutions of the authorities; but he
has never yet allowed the slightest conces-
sion to be wrung from him, has always
chosen his own time for whatever has
been carried out, and has never exceeded
the measure of what he stated as neces-
sary and judicious to be conceded at the
commencement of bis reign. The state
ment is undoubtedly correct, but the time
and the form announced in Paris are as
certainly erroneous. The account con-
tinues:
The journeys of the Emperor now resemble
positive triumphal progresses, as well in Fin
land as upon the VOlga. In Moscow. and
WhornVPr his MainSty ha1t od Co..
ment, the enthusiasm seemed as if it would
never come to an end, and through all was
heard the cry, For Gods sake let the En-
peror not give way," Old people relate that
this was just the case in 1872; only now things
are more favorable. Russia has more money.
more men than then, and every peasant knows
for what he will fight should he be summoned
by the Gar. Summer has passed, and six
months at least must elapse before war could
take place: the situation can hard v fail to clear
up before that period has passed.
Our finances assume Il more favorable ap-
pearance every month"; which is ascribed espe-
cialy to the fact that the apprehended loss
occasoned by abolishing farming out the
brandy tax turns out to be unfounded The
contrary is the case. The financial operations
OF the new minister arc thus shown to be
effective and our money market is better than
it has been for 4 long time.
On the other hand, the reports from Nischni
Fair are not agreeable and it almost seems as
If the approved fame of this ancient mart be-
tween Europe and Asia were likely to suffer by
railway communication with Moscow, whittier
all trade now tends.
1t would be an evil day for Nischni if its old
glory were to depart, but, upon the whole,
Russia would benefit. Thirty years ago not q
single steamboat traversed the entire length of
the Volga, or crossed the Caspian Sea: now
three hundred and fifty are engaged in trans
port along that water. 1t is curious how pray-
tice often gives the lie to the most careful theo
~. Nischni expected to have its trade doubled
by railway communication with Moscow and
consequently directly with all Europe. instead
OF which the trade stops short at Moscow.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
Gen. Esanass Command.

A letter, dated New Orleans, ed ult.,
states that q very large expedition, con-
sisting of cavalry, artillery and infantry.
would depart from that city within twenty
four hours. Major General DANA was in
command Of the active force and Major
General BANKS in supreme command. Its
destination was known only to three gen
eral officers in the Department. The fol-
lowing is the order of Major General
DANA, read to the troops on shipboard on
the 22d:
GENERAL ORDER.
HEADQUARTERS Cd DIVISION 18TH CoRps,l
STEAMER MCCLELLAN, Oct. -, 1868.
Soldiers of Pea Ridge, Prairie Grore and Tichs-
burg:
Your record which is already written is not
more glorious than you have now to make
You are embarking on an expedition as delicate
as 1t IS arduous, and replete with those adven-
lures which make up the very romance of
soldiers life; and, on account Of its delicacy,
It Is OF vital Importance that the severest dis
clpline be enforced and the greatest order and
quietness constantly prevail The peaceable
inhabitants of the country shall not be molestei:
neither shall the marauder, the pillager or the
robber be suffered to live among American SOL
diers. 1t is directed that every man struggling
away from his company, and in the act Of pil.
Laying, be instantly shot. The Major General
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
How the Collapse OF Rebel Finances
Affects the Food Question at the
&Onth.

The Southern papers DO not conceal the
complete collapse of the Confederate FL
nances, and the almost utter worthlessness
OF their currency. As consequence of
this state of things, all articles of food are
held at fabulous prices, and "starvation
with its pallid cheek" is haunting every
household. The Richmond Sentinel of the
29th ult., says:
Onward and upward is the course ofthe mar
ket. Articles at food grow scarccr and hic her
each day in this city. Since the defeat of the
maximum this has been the natural result
Those having articles for sale are holding them
back for the RISE They will not sell for fifty
dollars this week what may bring seventy-five
dollars next week. When this il all to end we
do not know.
The RchmOng Wing of the same date
growls about having $4,000 Yankees to
feed who ''are hungrier than wolves and
hyenas, when our own citizens are threat
ened with starvation and freezing":
Beef ought to be selling now at 65 to 20
cents pound in accordance with the proposed
arrangement between the butchers and govern
ment. 1t is quoted in yesterday mornings re-
port of the market at a dollar to dollar and q
half pound; the butchers say they are unable
to get cattle, and may be compelled to close
their stalls for the want of meat to sell. Coal
commands readily thirty dollars q ton. No
contracts for immediate delivery will be made
even at this price the dealers proposing to
await the rise after Christmas.
The Enquirer, of November Cd, says
the SPECTATORS are masters of the situa-
ton, and adds:
At an early hour on Saturday morning the
meat supply OF the city markets gave out. and
numerous families in consequence had to dine
Off Grahamite dinners.
The Richmond papers confess with much
sorrow that the value of East Tennessee
to the COnlederacy was never realized
until it was lost. The Inquirer says:
The hogs of East Tennessee. affording twenty.
five millions of pounds of pork, are now
being slaughtered for the Yankee armies The
vast corn crop and forage supplies of that de-
partment, sufficient to winter all the live stock
OF the Confederate armies are being fed to the
fifty thousand horses and mules belonging to
the forces Of Grant. The salt and lead works
OF the COnfederacy, and the numberlcss caves
VA Sot'oii"ooeSih iSiiiii HUH WHICH Immense
supplies of saltpetre are obtained for the Ord
nance Department., are now Immediately threat
ened by the close presence of hostile armies
requiring heavy forces Of our own for their
protection.
The LaQai''e'' says that JEFF. DAVIS has
been awakened TO some sense of the i'm
portance of East Tennessee, as the only
adequate source for supply of meat, and q
very important one for grain and forage,
and believes that it will soon be recovered.
"even if this should be after all its SUP
plies had been exhausted by the Yankees. "
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
The Election ia Iowa.

On the home vote, Col. STONE, the
Union candidate, receives majority of
1900, over Gen. TUTrLF, the Democratic
nominee. The soldiers vote, so far as
returned, amounts to 1852, of which
STONE received 2,24S, and FUTILE 1924.
According to this, and the soldiers vote
yet to come in, the Union majority in Iowa
will reach 10000; which makes an inter-
esting commentary on the scheme OF
Mahoneyizing the Democracy of that
State.
Everywhere the policy OF making the
Democracy an ally of the Rebels has been
tried. and it has been everywhere con-
demned. How long will the Copperhead
leaders "kick agrinst the pricks?"
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
The Half Million PlOtters furnishing
Proof Of their intended SWindle.

Four or five columns of the Press, of the
10th, are occupied in condemniDg a scheme
attributed to the PIONEER, of attempting
to reinstate the Northwestern Railroad
Company, in possession of the railroad
land grant for road from St. Paul to Su-
perior, of which that Company and the
State were deprived by a repeating act of
Congress. Inasmueh as the Northwestern
Company is dead, and has been dead for
two or three years, and does not, so far
as anybody knows, ever hope or expect to
he resurrected; and inasmuch as it would
be a physical and legal impossibility to
make dead corporation the recipient of
any gift or franchise whatever; and mas
much as we never proposed any such inn
possibility, but expressly suggested that
the grant, if obtained, should be disposed
of by the succeeding Legislature to some
body of reliable railroad men it will be
seen that all this four or five columns is
argument against a position never assumed,
and denunciation of a project never enter
tanned.
The object of all such argument and de-
nunciation is easy to be seen. Fancying
that some odium may attach in the popu-
lar mind to the defunct Northwestern
Company, the supporters of the Half Mil
lion project seek to transfer that odium
upon the directors to their scheme; to
create false issue, and, under cover Of
that, to carry forward their absurd move
ment. No honest project needs such dis
honest help; and the resort to it in this
case is strongly corroborative of the justice
of the stigma which we cast upon it, as an
intended swindle of the city.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13

The Draft in this State has been post
poned until the Fiflh day Of January
mert. The order to that effect came Sat-
urday, in response to an inquiry made of
the War Department by Capt. SAUNDERS.
It is as follows:
WASHINGTON. 1850 A. NJ, Nov. Z.
To Capt. 7. NJ. SAUNDERS, A. A. P. M. Genl:
The quota of Minnesota has been so much
reduced by former excess. and by volunteers
since the draft was ordered, that no draft will
be made in that State before the fifth (5th)
January, 1864; and only then, in case she
fails to raise her quota of 100000 volunteers,
called for by the President October 9TH, 1868.
(Signed) JAS. B. FRY,
Provost Marshal General.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
The Progress and Projects of the WI
mona and St. Peter Railroad Com

mona and St. Peter Railroad Com.
pany.
We learn from VIM. LAMB, Esq, Agent
of the Winona and St. Peter Railroad
Company, that, at last, the heavy work
has been completed through the bluffs
back of Winona, and the track laid to
Bluff Station, eighteen miles out. The
difficulties which have been overcome in
this distance have been almost insurmount-
able,-exceeding, in some localities, the
heaviest work on the Hudson River Rail-
road.
The road bed and superstructure are fin
ished to St. Charles, thirty miles from Wi
mona, and the iron is on hand-the laying
down of which will be finished in three
weeks. The iron for the road from St.
Charles to Rochester, twenty-nine miles,
has been purchased, and is now in Mil
waukee and New York; and it is the in
tention to run the first train through to
Rochester by the Fourth of July next.
From Rochester to Owatonna the progress
of the work may be affected somewhat by
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
The Election in Pennsylvania.

1t is ascertained officially that Gov.
CURr1N's majority will be about $4,000.
The balance of the Union ticket is from
four to five thousand behind. The Legis
lature, however, is in a peculiar fix. The
House is tie. The Senate is Union by
one major'ty but that one Union Senator
is Major WHITE, now prisoner in Rich
mond. Should he not be exchanged, we
don't see how either branch can organize /;
unless, indeed, some Copperhead, in either
House. shall become convinced of the en-
ror of his ways, and repent, that his own
soul and the State may be saved.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
The Election in Missouri.

Both conservatives and radicals claim to
have carried the election in Missouri. The
st. Louis Republican says that the success
OF the former, by clear and decided
majority, is certain, "unless strong frauds
have been perpetrated on the Iowa border,
and unless military vote of extraordinary
proportions comes up from unknown
quarters"
1t will be seen by the telegraph des-
patches that the conservatives are ahead
In the State from four to five thousand,
as far as heard from.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
Norton Elected.

A private dispatch from Winona,
states that the Honorable DANIEL S.
NORTON is certainly elected Senator from
Winona county. His majority was not
stated in the dispatch. The contest has
been exceedingly warm, and even bitter,
and the result is correspondingly crafty
ing to Mr.. NoRToN's friends, and credit
able to himself.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
Minnesota Election Returns.

CALEDONIA, Nov. 5.
We have carried Houston slick
and clean for the Union. That's good
enough for one election, amt it?
DAKOTA COUNTY.
The Democrat, of Hastings, states that
the entire Legislative and County ticket
has been carried by the Democrats
with the exception Of County Surveyor.
Langley is elected Senator by SO maj. !;
and for representatives, Guiteau has Be,
and Ackley "a maj.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
Election Returns.
DOUCIAS COIrNTy w

DOUGLAS COUNTY, WISCONSIN,
SUPERIOR, Nov. 3, 1868.
TO the Editor of the Pioneer:
GENTs-The Democracy carried the
day. The State Ticket including Senator,
received seventy-One votes. Republican
forty-eight-Democratic majority forty
three. J. S. Richie, for Assembly, receiv-
ed seventy-eight votes, against forty-one
for Fl. d. Barrow-Ritchies majority
thirty. seven. S.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
The Election In New York.

The New York Legislature will stand in
the Senate, twenty-one Unionists to eleven
Democrats, and in the Assembly, eighty
three Unionists to forty-six Democrats.
The Union majority in the State will range
from thirty to thirty-6ve thousand
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
Tho Election in Illinois.

Specials to the Chicago Tribune claim
that the Union majorities in Illinois will
foot up an aggregate of 10000 in the
State.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13

TEE rebels sent into cur lines below
Cairo, few days ago, the very improba-
BILE rumor that Gen. BANKS and his entire
staff had been captured in Louisiana.
The rebel facilities for obtaining news
from Louisiana, are not as good as our
own.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13

A special to Chicago Tribune from
Cairo, after describing the recent repulse
of Marmaduke at Pine Bluff, says:
The reported burning of large quantities of
cotton is an error; only some forty or fifty
bales were destroyed. Many citizens from
Pine Bluff took up arms and went into the
fight with hearty good will several of their
Three companies of Home Guards did good
service. An artillery company is now being or
ganized.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
Restoration of the Land Grant from
st. Paul to Superior.

We are pleased to hear that Senator
RAMSEY has expressed himself heartily in
favor of the project suggested by The
PIONEER, of procuring at the hands Of
Congress restoration of the grant of lands
to aid in the building of railroad from
St. Paul to Superior, of which that body
upjustly deprived our people. We have
no doubt, if our information is correct,
that he will enter into it heartily. His
interests lie in the success of such a meas
ure, more deeply than any citizen of st.
Paul; and we are sure he could do no act
which would more largely enhance his re-
putation. Doubtless the balance of the
delegation would cordially second his eff
forts and, all combined, this act of JUS
tice to our State might be counted on as
good as done, from the moment the dele
CATION set themselves earnestly at work to
that end,
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
The Election in Wisconsin.

The Union State ticket is carried by
heavy majority. As reported, the Union
majority will be eleven in the Senate, and
ten in the Assembly.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
The Election in New Jersey.

The New Jersey Senate will stand four
teen Democrats to seven Unionists, the
House, thirty-nine Democrats to twenty
nine Unionists, with one member in doubt.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
WINONA COUNTY.


In nineteen towns, NoI majority
for the Senate, is So; and two ans yet to
hear from will increase it to about 70. The
Republican states that the vote between
Hoyt and Dixon for the House, is very
close.
RICE COUNTY.
FARrBAULr, Nov 8, 1868.
10 the Editor Of the Pioneer:
l made a slight mistake in my last
which l am very glad to correct. Miller
had IS majority in this town, in spite of
all efforts to the contrary. AS far as
heard from the county is as follows:
DEMooRArIo-Wells, 80 maj; Shields
vile, 81 maj; Erin, 20 maj
UNIoN-Carron City, 90 maj; Walcott,
35 maj; Wheeling, 81 maj; Richland, 80
maj; Mortified, ia maj; Morristown,
67 maj; Faribault, 80 maj; Bridgewater,
20 maj.
There are five towns yet to hear from.
The Union majority will range from $50
to 400. The entire ticket is elected. My
mistake of last night occurred in conse-
quence of confusion at the polls as the
reading TRANSFERRED.
Good news from Ramsey. Loyal Rice
sends greeting. G. G. BowDIsH.
GOODHUE COUNTY.
AS far as heard from, Goodhue County
gives Miller 600 majority; and this will
probably be increased to 700.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
Dipneer K. 1lcmofrat.
S AIN T P A q l..
Postponement of the Draft.

faint Paul, Friday, Nov. Is, 1868.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-07-17
Hatchss Cavalry Battalion.

The service opens no more interesting
field for Minnesotians than the Cavalry
Battalion now in process of organization
under the auspices of Major HATCH. 1t is
designed for service on the frontier, and
against the Sioux Indians The service is
special one, and those enlisting in it, can
do SO with certainty that they VIII not
be called upon to go South.
There are hundreds who would gladly
devote themselves to Kidding our borders
from the curse Of Indian massacres and
depredations, who would be indisposed to
volunteer for the war against the rebels.
To all such, most desirable chance is
offered in this enterprise to be Of service
to their State and country, by enlisting in
Hatch's Battalion. We hope to see its
ranks filled without delay.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-07-17
DEPA RIMFNT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, June 20, 1868.
General Meade for President.

The Internal politicians are already cal
culating General MEADE's chances for the
presidency. And in considering these,
some one has taken hold of the fact of
his foreign birth as a constitutional OBJ
stacle. We wish such were the fact. If
we could get man at the head of the
army to whom the presidency was an i'm
possibility, it would be a public blessing.
But, unfortunately, the fact of the Gene
rails birth in Spain, does not preclude him
from presidential honors. The constitu-
tional provision is that "No person ex-
cept a natural (not native) born citizen
of the United States, shall be eligible to
the Office of President. The disability
does not apply to a person born in a
foreign country, whose father was in the
service of the Government at the time of
such birth; as was the case with General
MEADE. So, whatever he may do in the
field, he is subject to the danger of de-
struction at the hands of politicians, be-
cause there are no constitutional OBSTACLES
to his being made President.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-07-17
Gen. meade's Address ito his Army.

The following is the congratulatory
address of Gen. MEADE to his army, after
the three days victorious fighting at Get
tysburg- admirable in style and tone:
GENERAL ORDERS-NO. 68.
HEADoUARrERs, ARMY OF PoroMAc,l
Near Gettysburg, July 4, 1868.
The Commanding General, in behalf of the
country, thanks the Army of the Potomac for
the glorious result of the recent operations.
Our enemy, superior in numbers, and flushed
with the pride of successful invasion, attempt
ed to overcome or destroy this army. Baffled
and defeated, he has now withdrawn from the
contest. The privations and fatigues the army
has endured and the heroic courage and gal
lantry it has displayed, will be matters OF his
tory to be ever remembered
Our task is not yet accomplished, and the
Commanding General looks to the army for
greater efforts to drive from our soil every YES
tige of the presence of the invader
1t is right and proper that we should, on
suitable occasions, return our grateful thanks
to the Almighty Disposer of events, that, in
the goodness of His providence, He has thought
fit to give the victory to the cause of the just.
BY command of
Major General MEADE.
5. WILLIAMS. A. A. G.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-07-17
a New Governor.


The President Of the Senate, by the
resignation of ALEXANDER RAMSEY, has
become Governor of Minnesota; and so
HENRY A. SWIFT has changed his title
from Honorable to His Excellency. In
every point of character and capacity
Dir. SWIFT so far excels his predecessor,
that We are tempted to make our compli-
ments extravasant, and say that few men
have worn gubernatorial honors who were
better entitled to them. But, won't it
astonish the Executive Chamber to hold
an occupant who has capacity and integ-
rity along with it? and who can speak
the truth without damaging his con-
science and violating his principles?
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-07-17
Exemption Money.

The Secretary of War has decided to
accept three hundred dollars as an exemp-
ton fee from any one who may be drafted
under the CONSUMPTION act The Secretary
of the Treasury has accordingly given in
structions to the Commissioner of Inter-
nal Revenue in each Congressional district
to receive the money and grant certifi-
Gates of exemption. When one is drafted,
all that is required to be done is to pay
the commissioner, get certificate and
produce it before the board of enrolment,
when notified to appear for duty.