The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-09-30
SPEECH OF HON. J. nj. GILMAN.
Delivered at st. Anthony Septem-
Der 10, 1864.
Published by Request oil the DeAo-
cratic state Central Commitsee.

Mr. GILMAN having Deeh iiIfouuceu W
the audience, addressed them as follows:
Fellow CITIZENS -Four years ago
peace and prosperity reigned throughout
the whole country. The people were
then about to elect a President of the
United States, and the Republican party,
which had recently been built up upon
the prejudices of the people against the
South and southern institutions, demand
ed to be placed in power. They said the
Democratic party was plant and subser-
Went to the South, and that it was time
we had party in power hostile to slavery.
True, they admitted that Congress had no
power over slavery in the States, and that
the Supreme Court had decided that it
had no jurisdiction over the subject in the
territories; but still they said we should
have party in power hostile to slavery
and which woald in some way effect its
destruction.
The Democracy replied, that they were
not plant and subservient to the South,
but only insisted upon yielding to the
South her constitutional rights. That
whether slavery was right or wrong, was
not involved in the issue, for if it was
right, Congress could not establish it
where it did not exist, nor destroy it where
If did exist if admitted to be an evil. They
further said, that if the Republican party
obtained power because of its hostility to
the South and slavery-the Southern
States would secede and involve the coun-
try in civil war.
But the Republicans secuted the idea
that the South would secede They said
that the South could not stand alone, but
had TO lean upon the North for support.
That they were dependent upon the North
for their food, clothes, furniture, utensils,
aud all other articles of use. That they
could not raise or support an army, nor
cary On a war for one week-that they
could not take care of their slaves-that
the North had TO carry their mails for
them, &c.
How astonishingly ignorant they were
of the South and her intentions ands re-
sources, and how awfully mistaken in their
Judgment, is made manifest by the events
of the past three years. And in view Of
this, our Republican friends must not blame
us, if we do not place confidence in their
predictions at the present time, that the
South will ever yield to their demands or
can be forced into an abandonment of
slavery.
But by appealing to the passions and
preiudices of the people, and by the aid of
the secessionists of the South, the Repub-
lican party obtained power-whereupOn
contrary to the predictions OF the Repub-
licans, bat just as the Democrats had fore
told, the work Of secession and rebellion
Immediately commenced.
This conspiracy at the South to over
throw the government had been of long
standing, but of steady growth. 1t had
derived most of its nourishment from the
aboNtionsts OF the North, and in return
had furnished them with the food where
Oh they also had lived and fiourished.
These two antagonistic and disturbing ele-
ments in the country were of mutual
strength, support and comfort to each 9th
er, and co-operated together to break
down the Democracy. The secessionists
being ready to consummate their treason,
first proceeded to divide and defeat the
Democratic party, so as to let the Repub-
lican party into power, and then made the
success of the Republicans the pretext for
secession and rebellion. The Democrats
fully comprehended the plot, and fought
a. &c ha hand
the Republican party upon the other--but
were defeated. The Republicans could
not or ,rouM not see the storm that was
coming, until war and rebellion against
the government actually commenced.
They were then bewildered and at loss
what to 10. Mr. Lincoln called Congress
together in extra session, and one of its
first acts was to pass resolution by unan-
inous vote declaring to the world,
THAT this war is not waged ON our part in
any spirit of oppression, or for the purpose of
conquest or subjugation. or purpose OF over
throwing or interfering with the rights or es-
tablished institutions OF the Southern States,
but to defend and maintain the supremacy OF
the Constitution and to preserve the Union,
with ali the dignity, equality and rights of the
several States unimpaired-and that as soon as
these objects are accomplished the war ought
to cease.
This was solemn covenant and pledge
given by the administration as to the OBJ
iect and purpose of the war on our part
and was fully sanctioned and approved by
the Democracy who, without taunting the
Republicans by saying, owe told you this
war would come" or abiding in any way
to the past, rallied to the support of Mr.
Lincoln and the war, the same as if he had
been elected by their votes. They did sc
in the expectation and belief that the ad.
ministration would adhere to the positions
and principles embraced in that resolu.
ton.
The Democracy said-prosecute the wal
in the spirit of that resolution and we viii
stand by you to a man, and in so doing, i
slavery stands in the way we do net ask
you to spare it, but trample it down al
you would any Other obstacle, but do moi
pervert the war to any other purpose OF
object than as expressed in that resolu'
ton, for if you do, our country is lost and
our sacrifices will be rendered unavailing