St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-01-08
no doubt that you will take such action
that the rights and dignity of our State may
be fully vindicated and maintained. a5-sI

no doubt that you will take such action
that the rights and dignity of our State may
be fully vindicated and maintained. aFs,
I l".' NATIONAL. AFFAIRS. =
The proportions Of that gigantic rebel.
lion, whose first murlilur eighteen months
ago, summoned the nation to arms, if in
some respects diminished, are unhappily still
formidable. ~ i".lE In. II III g8
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 CALAMITY
contentling. 'ta.e I@,21ygl&5 - ID :.
b 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 STATED 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
ut home: that while their burning cot
tasges were lighting up the midnight hour,
her sons have followed their banner to the
front, upon the banks of the Potomac, or
met a soldiers death upon the victorious
fields Of the southwest, and their gallant
exploits have won for our State an imper-
ishable name. TIL .... .'....
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 IN entire sup
preston Of a great popular revolt, in the
space Of few brief months. a5 e.. ...
The mighty forces Of q great nation are
slowly organized, and often retarded and
checked for brief period by that furious
energy, which guiding tho first blows OF
rebellion, drives its blinded votaries on to
deeds Of desperate daring. But the patri-
otto fortitude of people engaged in just
cause, supported by the prestige of estab-
lished powers ond the exllaustless 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 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, 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
those Of Rosecrans, at Murfresboro, Sher-
man at Vicksburg, and Of Heron at
Arkansas, that shall again restore le-
gitimate authority, throughout all our bor-
ders, add new lustrc to the proud es-
cutcheon Of our country and re-establish
the glory Of the American name among
the nations Of the Earth.
ALEX. RAMSEY.
Saint Paul, Jan. 9TH, 1863.