St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-08-27

York. Mayor Opdyke sent in, on Tues
day, his veto Of the 100000 ordinance
to exempt all drafted men. r. ~
WHAT CONSTITUTIONAL. DEMOCRACY
MEANS. s'717''ss asss'z ~
Ever since the opening Of hostilities by
the seeded States, the protest Of the
Democracy against all active measures for
compelling obedience to the laws of the
country, as we'll rs for defense, has been
on the ground Of a violation Of the Con.
stitution. This plea has been used with
effect, among those who have always been
accustomed looking to party leaders for
guidance in public matters, and these aid
ers Of treason have not scrupled to take
every advantage Of the opportunity :hus
presented to prejudice the public mind
against the Administration and its actions.
Now, it may be interesting to see what
Democrats mean when they talk about the
Constitution in this connection The FOL-
lowing letter written by Ex-Governor Rey-
holds, Of illinois, to jeff. Davis, and cap.
tured among the correspondence Of the
arbitrator, gives perfect idea of what
they would do with the name of this sa-
cred instrument upon their lips. The let
ter is dated Belleville, ILL.,, Dec. 2sth,
1860, and is as follows:
1write to you, because cannot we'll avoid
it. l am, in heart and soul, for the South, as
they are right in the principles and possess
the Constitution
II the public mind will bear It, the seat of
Government, the Government itself, and the
Army and Navy, ought to remain with the
South, and the Constitution. l have been
promulgating the above sentime mt, although
it is rather revolutionary. A Provisional Gov
eminent should be established at Washington
to receive the power Of the outgoing Presi-
dent, and for the President elect to take the
oath Of Office out of slave territory.
Now l come to the point. All the slave
together. The Free States will not concede
m atom, but are bent on the destruction of
Slavery. Why, in Gods name cannot the
Northern Slave States see this tact1as clear as
monday before their eyes!
The general Secession ought to be accom-.
plished before the 4th of March, Mr.. Buchan-
an deserves immortal honor for keeping down
bloodshed. In one hour, by telegraph, he
could order Fort Moultrie to fire ON Charleston
and the war would rage over the Union.
am, in heart and soul, against war but the
best way to keep peace is TO be able to defend
yourselves
If the Slave States would unite and form a
Convention, they might have the power to CO.
cree the North into terms te amend the Con.
st.tution so as to protect Slavery more eff
GENTLY.
This doctrine, announced more than
two years ago, is what has governed the
party, acting under the name Of Democ-
racy, up to the present time. They are
for anything that will preserve Slavery
for secession, for coercing the North into
obedience to the demands Of rebellious
States all in the name of the Con-
stitution!
Let honest, thinking Democrats and
there are many such-look back upon the
course OF their leaders, and sec If the let
ter Of this copperhead Governor was not
prophetic in its expression of the pro-
gramme that would be pursued by the
men who give character to the party.
Dishonorab)e peacc-or what is the same,
"war on Constitutional grounds" has
been what they have labored for. Is it
to be wondered at that they have drawn
down upon themselves disgrace and the
contempt Of all loyal men? They are, in
deed, copperheads. ...-. .-.
In view Of this, let all who can unite
upon the common platform of loyalty to
the without the negative re-
quiremepts which maj Re this loyalty de-
cidcdly qucstionable-who have genuine
vcncration for the Constitution as the
safeguard Of liberty, rather than power
to enforce Slavery-who will cooperate
heartily with the Administration in its
efforts to bring lasting peace, through the
only avenue, vigor of arms-let all such
join hands everywhere, and give the pow
ers Of the Government such moral SUP.
port As will make every traitor, ''Consti-
tutional' or otherwise, feel that there is a
God in Israel! Ma..- Us.