The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-05-01


Gen. Scott presided, and the prominent
speakers were Messrs. Daniel S. Dickin-
son, Henry J. Raymond, Lyman Tremain,
Geo. Bancroft, John Van Buren,, "A. N.
Bailey, and DR.. Golger, of Washington,
Philip Frankenheimer, and Francis Lam
bert. John Van Buren, announced his
belief that the next President would be
Democrat, and prophecied the end of the
rebellion by the blockade. Mr.. Raymond
declared his belief that the Democrats
were loyal, and avowed his readiness to
90 for Democratic administration if the
present one does not succeed in put
ting down the rebellion. There was
very little enthusiasm, and the general inn
preston prevailed that "loyal meetings ="
in New York to help the government,
were about "played out" The truth is,
the people seem to have grown tired of
speeches and speech makers. They read,
and think, and exchange notes, but they
are very little influenced by public speak
ers, and they have very little zeal in at
tending public meetings. They have seen
the same men so often on so many plat
forms, with so many different opinions
and contradictory dogmas to advance, that
they have learned after all to depend on
the logic of events. Incidents, occurren-
ces of the war, in short, defeats or victo-
ries, these are now the arguments that will
control the popular mind, and not the
speeches of windy orators.
The only speech that was really reada-
bic which was made at the New York
meeting was JOHN VAN BUREN's and we
quote few paragraphs:
FellOw-citizens, allow me to say few words
to you about the mode of putting down this
rebellion. I do not believe that simply belong
ing to the Democratic party will end the war
that has been going on these two years. Since
belonged to the party jeff Davis claimed to
be a member, so do Mason and Slidell. l do
not see that that ends the war. Applause. !
What would be thought of the passengers of a
ship, who in a dreadful gale found that the YES
sci had sprung aleak, and who should say to the
others, /" find out where the leak is; stop it at
all hazards if our masts are all carried away,
rig jury mast; if you can't save the ship save
the passengers; construct a raft; be sure and
save our lives, and as for the rest we will sit
here and grumble; we belong to the Demo-
cratic party" If that ship had to be lighened
to be saved it is easy to see what part of the
cargo ought to be thrown overheard. APP
plause and laughter. Now we are told that
the Democrats who are in these leagues are
dupes. Laughter. Mr.. Forney has said that
this is devise for President making, and that
we must be careful. Well, it would not be at
all remarkable if should be duped. pre-
tend no peculiar accuteness, nor is it at all
material what may happen to do But, here's
my friend Mr.. Brady, at the summit of his
profession, and distinguished in branch of it
that peculiarly requires in it knowledge of
the motives of men, or the ways of the world.
doubt whether he can be very much imposed
upon; laughter and how exceedingly kind
it is in this Albany editor to caution Gen. Scott
that he shall not be duped. Cheers for Gen.
Scott. If when he had been engaged in the
Western war, this editor had told him, look
out for Black Hawk" or when in the Northeast
crisis, to look out for Sir John Harvey, or when
engaged in the delicate task of treating with
these same men in the days of Notification to
look out for John C. Calhoun; or in the Next
can war; to caution him against Santa Anna,
what mercy it would have been to have had
such advice! Laughter. think the General
will be able to protect himself against imposi-
ton in the present condition of the country, in
the league of which he is the hOnored Presi-
dent. Applause.
1t was predicted that the grass would grow
in the streets of New York when the Southern
trade ceased. Laughter. We were assured
that all that Kept us alive was the Southern
trade. don't think the grass in our streets
would pay any rebel for moving. Laughter. ]
| / think no man could 60 to our shops, to our
parks, to our public places of amusement, to
our places of worship, or to the festivals in the
| city, and suppose for moment that We were
engaged in a war. And do you suppose that u
people prosperous as the gentleman who spoke
before me has described-powerful as we are,
as comfortable and happy, can be overthrow
| in war "never! ~ when we are to meet those
who are suffering as the Southern people are ?
| [Applause. Why, little while ago, 1 read in
Richmond paper some very contumelious
suggestions in anticipation OF the arrival OF
Commissioners from Illinois, to treat for peace.
| Laughter. They said they would treat them
civilly, holding their noses little. Laughter.
| Now, if the accounts that get of the disease,
and the desolation and the filth of Richmond,
| are at all to be relied upon, they have better
reason for holding their noses than their sitting
up for company from the Northwest. Laugh
ter. There will be men there before great
While that Will save Cnem CnlS CrOuDle, ana nOlO
their noses good DEAL and their Threats too.
| Laughter and applause.
Now what will be the end of this war in re-
| gard to one of the institutions which has been
| a subject of much discussion? I allude to sla-
very. There have been great and delicate con-
| troversies upon this subject heretofore. We
have come now to a time when by the progress
of our arms slavery is overthrown. Applause
and good, good" By well recognized prin-
ciples of law, it is as clear as the sun at noon,
that if this war gets on twelve months there will
not be slave legally held in any one of the
States and Territories, except by the Presidents
proclamation. Applause. That is the necessary
effect of the conquest of those States, and
brought upon themselves by the war tina. they
commenced T''That's so. And if this wonder
tul result should be achieved, if the tine should
| come when this great calamity to the United
States, and affrOnt to the civilization of the
age is wiped out in this way; if these poor
Abolitionists, who never constituted a hun
dredth part Of our population, whose pale faces
and unsteady eye, produces almost the feeling
of compassion that is engendered in a sound
mind by meeting one who is wandering in his
intellect-if they come to me and say, SNOW
this institution is abolished, want you to
unite with me in erecting monument to
William L. Yancy, and John Slidell, and James
Mason, and jefferson Davis, who abolished
Slavery" sha'nt refuse laughter and APP
plause1 II mean involuntary slavery. If our