The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-07-21
he opportunity to make up corresponding

lust 40 many Bngadier or Major Generals as
she has sent regiments to the field, and one
half the number of those Generals were at one
time or other members OF the First Minnesota
Regiment.
You are about to return to your families, and
God grant to each of you long life OF prosper
ity and usefulness. I will not say with some
Of the Eastern reception speeches, Go back
to your homes and become good and industri.
ous citizens, a" for well know that the faithful
soldier is always good citizen; But this
much viii say-guard Weii ana laitniuuy tne
institutions for which you have fought and sui
fered, and remember it is one OF your highest
duties to care for him who has shared with
YOU the toll and danger of battle, and for his
widow and orphan. Demand, at all times, and
in all places the rights of the families of our
departed heroes, and recognition of the
claims of the living soldiers who have 80 grand
" contributed to the salvation of the Union.
We should, in Minnesota, provide special
tax:
First, A reasonable support for the INDECENT
widows and orphans of the gallant men who
sleep In Southern soil: Second, An orphan
asylum at which to educate the INDECENT Chi
dren of these worthy defenders of our country:
and Third, home for the MANNED and help.
less soldier, who shall find himself without
family and friends, and incapable OF earniug q
support. ,,.u ,.n. ao,.
The survivors of the rebel army who sfaught-
cred our gallant comrades ut Bull Kun. Falr
Oaks, Savages' Station, Glendale, Antietam,
Fredericksburg, Charlottesville and Gettys-
burg. and many of those who starved them 70
death in southern prisons, will shortly take the
oath of allegiance; and within year 70 come
several hundred thousand men who fired upon
The old flag and attempted to crush the Union
of these States, will vote at the elections and
aid in re- organizing the State governments az
the South. Governor johnson, OF georgia,
in his address of the first instant. to the people
of Savannah. presents the motive tor taxing
the oath. Heesys:
Every one is to take this oath to entitie
him to become voter. There is no escape
from it. Every individual must take IT, E., Inc
consideration is, shall WIS continue in our pres
ent condition or take steps to return to the
Union? If we return, the oath is to be taken
BY rs, not for the purpose OF annoyance or
humiliation. and when the oath has been taken.
and in return pardons have been granted, those
persons can organize State government and
avail themselves of all its benefits. Now when
an individual not excepted In the proclamation
takes the amnesty oath, he at once becomes q
citizen again, and acquires all the benefits Of
loyalty; bis property is free from confscatton,
his person exempted from arrest for participa-
ton In the rebellion, and can go to the polls
cast his ballot"
Throughout the speech there is no justifca-
ton of the government Is right no condem-
nation of the rebellion as wrong-no advo-
cacy OF the Union as something desirable in
itself-in short nothing that Jefferson Davis
himself If he is as discreet 3 politician as we
take him TO be, would not freely say, under
the circumstance, Take the oath, 90 as to
reconstruct the State and save your property"
Now, as an antidote to this terrible poison
IN, no h<n6 I
Union soldier who has barred his bosom to the
loaden hail and iron storm deposit his ballot,
and enjoy all the rights, immunities and privi-
leges of free citizen of the United States. I
have uttered, and shall utter, to our returning
soldiers, no word about negro suffrage, but I
of all opposition, soldier suffrage. When we
made the Chippewa, or minor, or alien, or AT
rican, Union soldier, We made him man,
and while the cherished and triumphant banner
of our country shall retain upon its folds sin.
gle star for friends or stripe for foes not all the
DEGREES of all the men that breathe in the uni
verse Of God, can rightfully make him minor,
alien, savage, or slave again.
1t is said that, during the assault on Vicks-
burg, one Of the Union regiments using am.
munition OF peculiar size. at that time, in the
army of Gen. Grant, found its supply about ex.
hausted, and despatched q faithful drummer
boy to request fresh installment of powder
and ball. Upon his way to the Generals quar-
tiers the lad was badly wounded by fragment
bleeding into the presence of his chief and
said "A thousand rounds Of calibre fif.
ty-eight for Colonel A." He was i'm.
mediately borne toward the hospital, but
before losing sight of the officer
he raised himself upon his cot and exclaimed,
General! General! remember caliber 49,"
When at the next ELECTION the traitor who
wounded that brave youth shall deposite his
vote, would place the limping drummer boy
by his side and permit him, on behalf Of the
Union for which he bled, to fro calibre So
into the ballot box: and so in regard to every
faithful soldier in our armies. No matter
whether European, ON Indian or an African
would clOthe him with American citizenship,
which is "the highest style of manhood"
After the conclusion of Governor Miller's
address of welcome, Col. Downie made the
following reply:
COL. DowNIE's SPEECH.
LADIES AND GENTLEaiEN-In behalf Of the
officers and men of this regiment thank you
for this reception. Next to the consciousness
of duty performed, nothing is so gratifying to
the feelings of soldier as the knowledge that
his services are appreciated.
In camp, on the long, tiresome march, on
the battlefield, and in the hospital his thoughts
are ever turning to the dear ones at home and
the knowledge that living thoughts like the
white wings of the angels are continually how
ering around him-that his every action is
watched by anxious, loving hearts at home,
and that upon his return he will be greeted
with swell done, good and faithful servant,
inspires and invigorates the tired limbs, braces
up his nerves to face the horrors Of the battle
field, and leads him to deeds of daring.
Oh, how anxiously have we watched for this
hour, when we, your Representatives, could re-
turn and render an account Of our Stewardship.
I shall net describe to you the manner in which
this regiment has performed their part, but
will only say to you that we return with the
consciousness of having contributed our mite
In crushing out this wicked rebellion.
Again thank you. Yes, methinks / can see
the heroic dead of the First Minnesota look
down from the battlements Of heaven and thank
you for the reception their comrades are now
receiving ct your hands.
THE DINNER.
The Regiment then fled into the dinner t..
bles, and were waited On by the ladies, securing
bountiful meal. We were surprised ct the
abundance and variety Of the viands, consider