The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-10
JUDGE CATIONS LETTER TO GOV
SEYMOUR, OF NEW YORK.. D.
"GucI9 IS lai--4 b~3HFol iHii'
A VERY IMPORTANT DOCUMENT.

W VOV. OEYMOUk, VI N0W AVHA, "nAOA A"S
just made its appearance in the Albany
(New York; Argus, the central Demo-
cratic organ of the State. This letter be-
comes the more important as it was writ
ten at the request of Gov. SEYMOUR, in
reference to Western sentiment on the pres
ent condition of the country. Judge Ga
TON had gwen his opinions orally to Gov.
SEYMOUR on this subject, and was requested
to reduce them to writing The letter is
now given TO the world by Gov. SEYMOUR,
and it is not probable that we shall be
wide Of the mark if we conclude that the
Governors opinions do not differ very ma
terially from those of Judge CATION. We
have not room for the publication of the
entire letter, but give the main points:
You are undoubtedly correct
that the Northwest will never consent to
a separation Of the Union, leaving the
Lower Mississippi in foreign jurisdiction
l also agree with you that the
radical Abolitionists prefer separation to
a restoration of the Union as it was, with
all the rights of the States as. they exist
under the Constitution, including slavery );
and just as soon as they are convinced
that majority of the people of the North
and of Congress are determined to admit
peace upon the old basis, they will labor
for separation. They seem determined
to invent and practice every provocative
possible toward the South, in order to
produce and continue degree of aliena-
ton which shall prevent them from en-
bracing the tender which the conservative
North is ready to offer them, to return
and enjoy the protection Of the Constitu-
ton unirnpaired. These provocatons, in
connection with the known state of feel
ing pervading the whole community South,
render any hope that they will embrace
the Democratic offer to return and resume
the statue quo ante bellum entirely futile
at the present moment They will, with
bitter contempt, spurn this offer now, let
it come from whom it may. Such is the
pres state of feeling in the Southwest
as well as in the South east. Victories
must be won before they listen to reason
from any party and accept reunion on
any terms. Were the Democrats in pow
er to-day they must win victories before
they could save the Union If these vic
tories are won while the AbOlitionists rule,
may not the South accept peace from us
when we attain the control, quite as read
lily as if won under Democratic auspices?
What shall be done in this contin-
gency? The answer of ninety-nine in
the hundred of those who voted the Demo-
cratic ticket at the October elections is,
and will be: The war must be prosecuted
earnestly and to the last-not to crush
and conquer the South, but to crush and
conquer the rebellion. If ten years
war Is necessary, rather than give up the
Union, they accept it-sorrOwfully, it is
true, but earnestly. We hope and believe
that, whatever may be the fortunes of
war this winter, and especially if success
shall attend our arms, and i Mr.. Lincoln
can oe brought under Democratic intiu-
ences, Or even ii the South can be brought
to believe that conservative principles
have acquired such ascendency in the
North rs to admit peace on the old basis,
and protect them in their fair constitu-
tional rights, then peace is possible after
the fourth of March, when the new Con-
gress will come into being. To render
this possible-to excite reasonable hope
that the South will return to the Union
on the old basis--it is indispensable that
they should be diSabused OF the opinion
that the Democratic party is peace party
on the basis OF separation. Whatever this
f,t -, Il ~,
the prosecution OF the war, certain it is
that !. vast majority Of the old Demo-
cratic party--tIat is to say the Douglas
portion OF it, an! all those who formerly
voted with the Republicans, but at the
late election voted with us, at least in the
West. and no DOUBT the same is true at
the East-;lre fixed iii the determination
that the war must be prosecuted till the
rebellion is put down, Or till those in re-
volt submit to the Government of the
Constitution. Indeed, this follows as a
necessary consequence upon the deter
mination not to submit to Il dismember-
ment OF the Union-which, us before
stated, must be looked upon as a settled
question, at least in the West
When the rebellion was maugurated, its
promoters protested to believe that thew
would not only meet with sympathy, but
ma serial aid and support from the Demo-
era &c party of the North; and but tor
this belief, it is doubtful if they could have
deluded their people to such an extent as
to have secured their acquiescence in the
revolt. All now can see how fatal was
that delusion. They should be told in
time, that the hope that the late elections
are an expression of sympathy for seces-
sion is delusion equally great, and must
prove equally fatal. The Northern Democ-
racy stands now where it has ever stood
1t will support at all hazards the integrity
of the Union, while it will guarantee tc
every portion of it all the rights and al
the privileges stipulated in the Constitution
To this extent and for these purposes, the
Democratic party must be considered 6
war party, and in its support and prosecu-
ton it will vindicate its ancient renown fol
steadiness OF purpose-for pursuing its OBJ
ject with calm and determined energy
which evinces its faith in its principles, and
which ever has and ever will in the end
secure its triumph. q.
While we will firmly hold the sword in
one hand, and use it, too, with determine
ton and resolution, the other must ALWAYS
he oman with the nrOffer Of naooa o. :