The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-09-08

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Of suffrage belongs to the States. Hssbe-
hevss that the ordinances gOf secession
were invalid for every purpose utterly
void-that they do not affect either the
territory or the people, or the State Gov
eminent, but that the officers of the State
governments, in reserting to war, became
usurpers, and by force, and in fraud, per.
verted the power Of the State to illegal
ends; that their acts SO far as executed,
were without authority, and therefore
wrongful-sO far as not yet executed are
utterly void. This usurpation supplanted
the legitimate governments, which lie
dormant, imperative now, but entitled to
aii the powers and rights of the States,
when the usurpation displaced them.
Hence he appoints provincial governors
70 set the old machinery in motion, and
seeks a pivotal point on which its revolu-
tons shall commence.
L Wish the President had gone further.
ne would have done better if he had &C
cepted Sherman's truce. He would have
done better if, when he received the sub.
mission OF armed forces, he had recog-
| nlzed the legitimate powers of ORGANIZED
state governments. But he has done we'll
in this, that he recognizes the movers of
the States over the question of sufFrase
tnaI ne appoints as provisional governors
the citizens OF the States, and not super
serviceable patriots from Ohio or Nassa-
chusetts; that he desires the States to re-
sumo their relations to the Federal gov
eminent rs soon as possible, and to he
represented in both houses Of Congress
and on these points l desire to give him a
| cordial and hearty approval.
The first desire OF every patriot now is
the pacification of the country. the return
to the ways and duties and properties OF
peace; and this can most speedily and only
be accomplished by securing to the people
OF the South self-government in their
States, and their appropriate influence in
the government of the Union. The Con-
stitution will do this. 1t need only be OBJ
served. Its provisions are all sufficient. It
needs no amendment Wise men made
it; good men administered it for seventy
years; peace and prosperity attended it.
1t will bring again union and freedom and
prosperity. 1t secures the rights of the
States at home. 1t secures the Just rights
of the Federal government. 1t secsres
the liberty of the citizen. If the Presi-
dent will fairly administer it: if he will
make an honest effort to apply its provis-
ions; if he will remember that the DOW !.
ers OF the Federal government are ali del
egated, and that the rest are all reserved ::
that trial by jury, free speech, free press.
| are to be held inviolate that military
commissions for the trial of civilians, are
absolutely prohibited, l, for one, believe
1t to be my highest duty to give him
warm support. If he viii not 60 50 far, l
will support him where he is right, and as
earnestly condemn him where he is
wrong. The party which has not been d.
verted IN the midst of the terrors of the
past four years from its steady support OF
the rights OF the States and the tights of
the people, cannot be seduced by homes
OF power, nor driven by fear of con-
sequences to abandon that position now.
1t demands nothing which is not prescrib-
ed ia the constitution it viii be satisfied
with nothing less; it viii be unselfish and
earnest in its support; it viii be deter
mined and active in its opposition It
rises above party aims; it banislles party
aspirations it viii be true to him whoever
he may be, who may be true to the con-
stitntion and the country.
The questions now in controversy
tOuche~ the very organization of the fed
eral government They revive the old
theories of confederation and consolidation.
They are hidden under spurious and deoep-
tive names. Reconstruction, as our oppo-
nents Use the word, means not restoration
OF the Union, but reconstruction of the
Constitution change IN the framework of
the government, and every change pro
posed is in diminution Of the States, and
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of tue Federal govern
ment. Delay in reconstruction means
that military governments are to be used
to effect them. The tendency of war ia
to consolidation. We must resist it. It
viii, lead TO despOtism, local selfgoyern-
ment> the rights of the Ststes, eonfedera
ton. These are the only hope Of liberty.
Our fathers saw this, and they formed
confederation. In few and simple
words, they established the test of all
questions. "All powers not delegated are
reserved" Let Us bring I'll this to this test
Let us solve them by it, and as far as hu-
man WELDON can affect it, we escape all
dangers. Shall we change that test now I!
Shall We destroy the States? Shall We I'M
pair their powers? Are We wiser, more
patriotic, more honest than our fathers !.
No. Let US restore the government as
they made it. They gave us blessing !:
let us beware that We do not make il a
curse.
The speech was warmly received, and
elected throughout marked attention and
great applause.
The convention then adjourned sine Rie.
FROM san FRANCISCO
More 4 bOst the Loss Of fhe vRrosl..