Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-12-25
MINORITY REPORT.

The undersigned, comprising part of the minority
of the committee of one from each State, to whom
referred mu ch OF the Presidents message
related to the present disturbed condition of the
country, respectfully submit the following report:
On the 9th day of November last the peo-
pie OF the United States were in coEdition
of tranquility and peace. They were at peace
with other nations, and at peace among them
selves. The excitement of a general election
was then at its height, but as such excite
ments necessarily result from our repu blican
system of government and had always be-
fore passed away with the announcement of
the general result, the people always before
having gracefully yielded their submission to
the popular verdict, and shown their LOYALTY
to the Constitution aud laws, it was believed
and hoped by all good men and patriots that
the excitement then existing would pass away
with the election. 1t was not supposed that
there were any considerable number of people
IN the Union who would turn traitors to the
country in the event of party defeat. The
leading idea in a republican government is.
that the majority under the COnstition shall
rule, and when the people of the several
States join in a general election of n Chief
Magistrate, it has always been with this rec
ognized tacit understanding. To abide by
the result was the paramount duty of every
one who took part III the election. and to re
fuse acquiescence was such manifest bad faith
as no one could be guilty of without palpa-
bile reputation of an implied contract But
the result of this last election had scarcely
been announced, when the people of one of
the southern States proclaimed that they
would not submit TO the verdict OF the ma.
iority. They declared that though minority,
they would rule the country or else destroy it.
G rtain it is that those who now propose to
destroy the Union have for many years had
the control o! the government. Legislation
has inyaribly been passed to suit them. The
Supreme Court has been constituted expressly
with the view 10 uphold their interests. and
has not only given decisions to favor them,
but has travelled out OF its way to announce
opinions upon subjects not before it, They
cannot. therefore, complain of any wrongs re-
ceived from tie general government, for they
had that entirely in their own way. But on
that 9th day of November the pee pie of the
United States, at an election conducted with
perfect order, and in strict accordance with
the requirements of the Constitution. elected
as Chief Magistrate one OF her citizens, of
most unblemished character, and whose prin
ciples we believe were in strict conformity
with those of the founders of the republic.
No sooner was the fact of his election known
than the fires of sectional hate and long med
itated treason, which had been smoulderng
for nearly thirty years in South Carolina.
brake out in devastating fury, and great was
the rejoicing among those misguided people,
who hailed that event as the harbinger of
their deliverance from union that they had
long regarded as thing accursed.
State convention was promptly called to
adopt measures for secession. Other States
that had lent too willing ear to her syreh
song were induced to initiate measures in i'm
itqtlon of that deluded State. Such was the
position of affairs when Congress assembled,
fla QI Hau Of ,har 90
the President OF the United States, in his an
nual message, was guilty of the criminal folly
of adding fuel 10 the flame by the most gross
Misrepresentation of the feelings principl S,
and purposes of the people of the north, and
while he paliated the course of the secession
lists. he declared his inability to stay the tide
of treason and rebellion. On the delivery of
that message. contrary TO the usual practice, it
was referred TO a lect committee, consisting
of one from each State.
From this unusual proceeding, we. compos-
ing part of the minority of the committee,
could anticipate no good result, and voted
against the formation of said committee. But
having been appointed members of il, we en-
tered upon the discharge of oui duties ready
and eager TO cooperate with the other MEM
bers of the committee in any measures prom
ising peace to the country. and requiring
sacrifice OF principle or humilating concession
on the part of those people who had ever been
loyal to the Constitution.
The first resolution that passed this commit
tee confirmed us in our previous impressions.
1t was as follows:
RESOLVED, That, in the opinion Of this committee
the existing discontents among the southern people
and the growing hostility among them to the federal
government. are greatly to be regretted and thai.
whether such dscontents and hostility are without
just not, any reasonable proper and cousti,
tional remediesaud additional and specific and
eectua guarantees of their peculiar rights and inter.
ests as recognized by the Constitution necessary to
of the Uuion, should be promptly and eheerfuIIy
granted"
The above resolution laid down basis of
action which to our minds was entirely ina |
Missile, declaring, as it did, that ground