The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-05-08

The Machine Shop mt Port Royal.
The N. Y. Herald of Tuesday week con-

The N. Y. Herald of Tuesday week con-
tains somewhat lengthy account of the
Naval Repair and Machine Shop at Port
Royal, which was instituted by the fore
sight of Admiral Dupont. 1t is there the
disabled iron-clads go to repair. Two of
the old whalers sunk off Charleston, float
ed into Port Royal, were pumped out and
made into machine shop Into these the
machinery and engines for repairs, brought
from the North, were placed, and the
work commenced. There are five shops
in the ship. The writer concludes by say
ing:
The whole establishment is under the imme-
date charge of w. S. Kimball master machin-
ist gentleman of great ability, skill and eX-
perience, who has earned the praise of all by
the energy and success with which he has per-
formed his duty.
The Mr.. Kimball SO highly compliment
ted in the above paragraph, is a son of
Capt. VIM Kimball of St. Anthony, Uni
ted States Quartermaster-w whose appoint
ment we noticed few weeks ago.
Soili er-voting--A Republican View
The following candid and well-expressed
view OF the subject Of military suffrage is
from the Boston Daily Adcertiser, the
ablest conducted republican newspaper of
that city. Our republican readers cannot
fail to appreciate the force of an opinion
from this source, so clearly and impartial
ly stated
When the scheme is viewed with reference
solely to its merits, it appears to us that it is
open to objections which our friends elsewhere
are not in a condition to weigh as they should
1t will hardly be possible we suspect, to
frame the details of such Il measure so as not
to open the door to many receptions and fraud.
The actual presence of the voter is by no means
o ccEirlete security against such evils; and
VII en- 10 the practices he is subjected there are
a.d6 I'd to the chances of unfaithtulness or fraud
Oil ii. sT.s of the other agencies necessarily
brought INTO action by absentee voting the
probability that the purity of elections will be
preserved under such system is greatly di-
minished. The evil has been experienced, we
believe, in other states which have undertaken
to collect the votes of soldiers. In those cases
the details of the scheme may have been i'm
perfect, but with the best plan that ingenuity
can devise, we suspect that the evil will be
found inherent and incradicable in any system
of voting which does not proceed upon the ac-
tual presence OF the voter ut the place Of cleo
ton.
A more serious difficulty, however, as it APP
pears to is that arising from the need of dis
cussiOn preparatory to an intelligent vote
The men who are to vote must have the proper
facilities for information and for the eyamina-
ton of both sides of the questions presented to
them. The ordinary means OF information are
the political newspapers pamphlets and speech
eS. But there are very few, we trust, who
would be willing to see the camp made the
scene OF political harrangues, debates and the
passions naturally excited by such means.
There are very few who would be willing in
the fall. our best season for military operations,
to see our soldiers who have buta single
thought and purpose, divided by the political
debates which distract us here at home The
incongruity would be painful. the danger pal
pable; ana yet what escape is there from this
danger, except to have our soldiers either for
bear voting, or vote in comparative Ignorance
OF the issues which they are invited TO decide
by their ballots:
letter from Alexander III. Stephens
The Raymond Miss Gazette publishes
some extracts from private letter written
by Vice President STEPHENS 20 resident
in that city. In reviewing the ability OF
the south to maintain the stand it has tax
en- and held the last two years, the Vice
President says:
We can, without doubt, subsist our armies
just as long as the federal government shall
continue to wage this crusade against us, if we
properly, judiciously, and wisely avail our
selves of our resources. They are abundant if
properly developed, husbanded, and applied
No equal number Of people on the earth ever
had more of the essential elements Of war at
hand than we have. internal resources for sub
siStence are some Oftle chietest of these. But
the development of these needs looking to
by those who conduct the war, quite
80 much, If not more, than the rails
ing of the armies. 1 gave a close al
tentiOn to the subject in the beginning of
our struggle, and was well satisfied that we
could maintain the war in our defence as long
as the enemy could prosecute it for our subju-
cation. Frederick of Prussia defended his
kingdom in seven years struggle against all
the combined powers. The odds against him
in fighting men were three to One,-yet his de-
fence was successful and not only this, but at
the end of the war, did not owe q dollar. This
shows what may and can be done, for his king
dom was far inferior to our territory in those
internal resources essential to success in war.
All that is wanting with us, under kind Provi-
dence, is the same brains to manage and mould
our resources that elevated those of Prussia.
x Every energy of the coun-
try new in the agricultural line should be vigor-
ously applied to the production of food and
clothing. For while am satisfied we possess
the means to furnish the necessary supplies, &C.,
l am equally satisfied that if they are not
promptly and efficiently used the supplies will
fail, and then failure will De attended with dis
aSter.
The French in Mexico.