The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-05-30

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was intended as an olive branch to the
south, but it has always seemed to me to
be disgraceful surrender of principle on
| the part of the anti-slavery members Of
congress. Long before the passage of the
amendment seven states had seeded
from the union. The time of congress
was consumed in listening to the trea-
sonable utterances and in the farewell adj
dresses of members Of congress who were
going out to break up the government.
This amendment was offered to the con-
temptuous and sneering south as an olive
branch and rejected. The civil war pre-
vented the further consideration Of this
amendment by the states.
love to recall the men who stood firm,
in those dark days. for liberty and justice.
Two votes from Minnesota were recorded
in favor Of perpetuating slavery, in the
hope that this might save the union. In
the senate, twelve senators recorded their
votes against the amendment. The graves
of the men who opposed this shameful
| amendment deserve to be kept forever
fragrant with flowers by the people whom
they served with such courage.
Senator Rice Of Minnesota said In the
senate March 2, 1861, when discussing
this proposed amendment to the constitu-
ton, and speaking for the northwest:
1--WE will do all that we honorably can do
to keep the southern states with u.s. but
If they are determined to leave us, they
|emust go in peace. Having spent my life
upon the great lakes, the great rivers and
the great plains Of the northwest, being
one of the first pioneers in four Of those
western states, wish to say that do not
believe that either one of them will vote
dollar or a man for coercion" Within
less than two months after this speech the
First Minnesota volunteers was mustered
into the military service Of the United
States!
In pleasing contrast to this sentiment
ask your attention to the following patri-
otto utterance on the same day, by Nor
ton S. Wilkinson, a senator from this
state: IF war must come I have an
abiding faith that the flag Of the union
the old flag-will in the future, as it did
| in the past, wave in glory over the van
guard Of a victorious American army"
| This inspiring, prophetic speech comes
ringing down the years like the voice Of
| one of the old prophets Of Righteousness.
In the thirty-nine years since the war,
| passions have had time to cool and preju-
dices to soften We can afford to forget
some things, but 1--WE never can afford to
forget the great moral principles involved
J in the war of the rebellion. By disparag
ing these, we dishonor the memory Of our
dead and cheaper patriotism
| To-day all over this broad land friend
| ly hands have scattered flowers upon the
graves Of soldiers and sailors who fought
to uphold the honor Of the old flag and
to perpetuate the institutions Of our land
The survivors Of the Spanish American
war participate with us in the observance
OF this day. Actuated by patriotic mo
tives, they responded to their country's
call and did the soldiers duty. They are
entitled to the gratitude of their country
for what they did and what they were
willing to do.
Comrades, we have seen the sun rise
we have seen it in the meridian and ir
the western horizon. We have climbed
the hill to the summit and are slowly 60
ing down the farther side. AS the fire:
burn low, and the heartbeat grows weak
er, pray that the memory Of the work
you did thru the years long gone, fo1
the land we all love, may fill the evening
Of your life with joy and peace.