St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1865-01-12
nv worthy predecessor accepted 81

J
behalf Of the State proposition which
gave to about sixty ofthc fallen heroes
Of the First Minnesota Regime Mt, a
resting place,in the Soldiers National
Cemetery at Gettysburg. { recon-
mend the an r"priation CT nine hum
dred dollars, or s"much thereof as may
be necessary. to pay the expenses there
by incurred.
1t is perhaps unnecessary for me to
assure you that such legislation as you
may deem necessary eitber~to honor
the memory OF the dead. 81 add tothe
comfort Of the living OF 10000 soldiers
IF Minnesota who have taken the field
to contend for the maintenance Of tho
Union and the Constitution, will re-
ceive my cordial cooperation. During
the presen. war with rebels in arms
these noble men have gained for their
State brilliant reputation. They
have always been found in the front
ranks ii the battle field when victory
percheds on our banners, while in disas-
tor, Minnesota troops nave been mainly
relied upon to check tho pursuing enc
my, and cover the march of the re-
treating columns. Amid the din of
conflict, as we'll as in the exposure of
unhealthy encampmcnts, in the field
and in the hospital, they have display
ed that hc:,ism and fortitude which
eutitlc them to rank among the brayest
soldiers Of the Republic The series of
sue :csscs achieved by the Federal ar
mics within the past few months, to
/ which our regiments have greatly con-.
tributcd, will surely eliminate in the
restoration Of the authority Of the Gov
ernmeat over the seeding States-in
blessings to ourselves and our posterity
and in the encouragement Of the
friends Of constitutional liberty through
out the world.
+: Unfortunately these results have al
ready est, and will probably cost in
the future, the lives Of many Of our
best men. Wi'kin and Smith and Ska
70 and Stasson and Baxter and White,
with thousand other gallant Ninncso-
tians equally worthy of particular men
ton, have sealed with their blood. their
devotion to the cause IF their Country
We profoundly mourn their loss, bat
we have reason for gratitude that the
precious sacrifice has not been made in
vain When history shall make up
hereafter, correct and impartial rec
ord Of this, the great st civil war the
world has knowh, the memory Of the
martyrs TO freedom Will be cmoalmed
for the admiration of coming genera
ti"ns
While cur military tr;u"rhs have
succeeded each otl:er SO rapidly: dii}us-
iny joy and y!adness among the loyal
millions of our countrymen, civic VIZ
tory OF no less Importance aud s;snlh-
canoe has been won. The sublime
spectacle has been presented t" the
world, of great nation, while w"sing
an intestine war Of vast dimensions, de-
Gliding peacefully and quietly at the
polls, the question as to whcm should
be committed the conduct of its affairs.
Scheming politicians sympathiziug with
treason, endeavcred TO defeat the ma
tional will, and dismcmber the Repub-
lie, by dishonorabiy arrogatins to them
selves the name and prc>ti &c of for
mcr great political organization, with a
view to seduce ito patriotic members
to their support. But the object of the
conspirators was timely discovered, and
their evil designs unveiled to the pub
lie gaze. The silent ballot box placed
its seal of condemnation upon the lead
.ers of the unhoiy movement, and con-
sigped them to mcriteds oblivion or In
fanny. ....-..x.
The verdict which has placed Abra-
ham Lincoln in the Presidential chair
for second term, has been cheerfully
acquiesced in by a great maj trity of his
opponents, and no. united North has
come forth from the pcrilous contest,
more than ever determined to subdue
the traitors in arms, who have dared to
strike at the national existence. The
result Of this political struggle has
spread dismay into the ranks of the
rebels, and among their co-laborers
abroad. ..
The destruction of slavery existing
in the Southern States may reasonably
be regarded as certain of speedy accom-