Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 October 1869 — The Minnesota Democracy. [ARTICLE]

The Minnesota Democracy.

The Democracy of Minnesota, like tlicir brethren in Ohio and Pennsylvania, are very anxious to get office. They have been out in the cold a very long time. In Ohio they talk of greenbacks and negro suffrage; in Pennsylvania, their candidate being a “ bloated bondholder," they ignore the subject of taxing the bonds, and say nothing of greenbacks. They dodge, also, the question of negro suffrage, lu Wisconsin, a few days ago, they nominated a man who had supported the war, and they congratulated the world unon the fact that slavery had been aiiolislicu ! The Minnesota Democracy have just held (heir convention, and they, too, have trimmed their sails with a view of reaching an anchorage in office. Their regular platform was aimut ns meaningless ns it could be; and so an “ old liner," —one of the adamantine Democrats who claims to have made the voyage in the ark with the fathers, — offered a resolution opposing the Fifteenth Amendment. Then ensued a scene, tlie like of which had never been seen in a Democratic convention. The resolution was opjKised 1 Negro suffrage* was declared to be a “ dead issue," and that man was proclaimed an enemy to his party who would attempt any longer to refuse political equality to. the negro. This.be it remembered, in a Democratic canvention. This, in the nineteenth century. This, in the Northwest. This, while Lee and Breckinridge, and Vallandigliam, and Pendleton, and Frank Blair are living. This, too, without obtaining any satisfactory answer to tlmt memorable and time-honored question of tho Democracy, “Do you want your daughter to marry a negro ? ” This, when California has voted to exclude the Chinese, and the Democracy of Illinois and Indiana still believe that negroes, having flat noses, dark skins, and splay feet, ara not human, but a species of beast. No wonder the man who opposed opposition to negro suffrage was brave. lie preached a new gospel in the Democratic synagogue. He “went back" on the fathers. He proposed to disregard the wishes of the Democracy of Kentucky. He was for forcing that “sovereign State ” to permit her negroes to vole. It was, as the reporters say after an impressive sermon at camp meeting, “a refreshing season." Old men were there, and young men Were there. There were present men who, one year ago, at New York, vowed eternal brotherhood with Wade Hampton; who had declared that to elevate the negro to political equality was the degradation of the white race, to whose special custody this nation was committed. But, alas for the Caucasians! The negro had foum! champions in the Democratic camp. The negro had at last become fragrant in nostrils hitherto offended at his proximity. The old law and its anti-African commentaries were solemnly burned, and the convention, —tho Democratic Convention, —by a vote of over two-thirds, solemnly and formally accepted the men with flat jioses, black skins, and elongated heels as fellowcitizens, equal, in all things political, with the rank and file of the Democratic party. This was not done without a struggle. The old story of the curse upon Hath was repeated. 'l'he resolutions of ’!)8 were quoted. The Democratic platforms, from the days of Felix Grundy to those of Frank Blair, were read. Works on the origin of species, showing the distinctive differences between the white and the black man, were exhibited. “Shall we admit negroes to our tables?” was stentoriottsly demanded. All this, once productive of so much enthusiasm in Democratic conventions, was received with ominous silence.

Ope Democrat, tired of bis long exile from official trust, said that, if the convention opposed nogro suffrage, it had better nominate candidates who were used to being beaten. Another said that the Democracy-had, out of deference to their Southern brethren, fought the negro; but-, ns the Democracy down South were themselves running negroes for office, and were all in l’avor of negro suffrage, he did not nee why they in Minnesota might not do trie same. The “progressives” were called upon to wrest the party from the control of the “ Immovables,” —that is, the old fogies; and the progressives did rally, and did declare that they would not say another word against negro suffrage or the Fifteenth Amendment! Whither are we drifting? Well may Vallandigham say that, with the overthrow of the old leaders, the Democratic party will change its color, and give the lie to its past liistofy. The Democracy of Wisconsin and Minnesota, who have had practical experience with negro suffrage in their States, haul down their once defiant “ all Caucasian ” flags, and adopt the Republican policy of political equality. In the race, —to be squarely on that future national platform,—are the Democracy of Illinois to be in the rear? Virginia, by a unanimous vote, has declared for it. The Democracy of Mississippi have their negro candidates stumping the State. Are Rlinois Democrats to be “progressive,” or “immovable ? ” Are they to cling to the resolutions of ’9B, and “Caucasiaii”-i.sni, or are they to join bands with their brethren of Minnesota and welcome theirdusky fel-low-citizens to perfect equality?—■ Chicago Tribune, Sept. 28. According to the sixteenth annual report of the American Congregational Union, during the past year grants have been made to 67 churches, in aid of the erection of houses of worship. The total amount paid them was $28,600. The total expense of these buildings was over $240,000. The union gives but small amounts to each church, averaging $412 to each. The union, which has, during the sixteen years of its history, aided in the erection of 383 houses of worship, supplying to them $227,125, appeals to the churches of its denomination, and to their members, thatjhey may remember in their wills this valuable agency. v *

Tint Titusville (Pa*) Herald has the following concerning some recent marriages in that place: “It is somewhat remarkable, _ first, that four weddings took place during the past week; second, that the four gentlemen were all merchants of Titusville ; third, that they did business on the same street; fourth that they occupied the same block; fifth, that they were all widowers; sixth, that in the aggregate they have had thirteen wives.”' • *■ To Restore Old Black Silk.—Boil an old black kid glove in a pint of water until all the black is extracted. Then sponge the silk with the glove dipped in the water. The black from the glove will restore tkp lustre of the silk. Or Cold coffee may be used instead. Silk never Bhouid bedipptd in water, but spread out smoothly and sponged carefully.