The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1851-09-24
PARTY ORGANIZATION.


Office and cannot get it upon their own
merits, are for political parties-those who
have the interest of the Territories at
heart, are for agricultural or other indus
trial, instead of political parties. 1t is our
true policy Ito speak now of Minnesota
particularly to hold out every inducement
to immigration here. Let the world know
that as men are meritorious they shall
prosper, and the Territory will be popu-
lated by men of worth-let it be under
stood that political trickster can get into
office by party management, without re-
gard TO his merit, and the most worthless
population Of the States will pour in upon
us. 1t is not so much the number as the
character of immigrants, that will give
character to the Territory. Ifpolitics and
party schemes are known to be the sub
iects of absorbing interest, politicians will
be attracted hither. If agriculture, COM
merce, and improvements are known to
occupy the public mind, men of industry,
capital, and skill will come among U.S.
Besides, in a new country, men are all
strangers, and more or less dependent up
on each other, and they should not disturb
the neighborly feeling SO necessary among
them, by discussing irritating matters of
mere opinion that have no connection with
their business affairs, and in which they
cannot agree, but devote themselves to
that in which they do all agree, and in
which they have a common intcrest-the
improvement Of the country, and the de-
velopment Of its resources. Let the only
contest among MS be-who can and will do
the Territory the most good. Let aspi-
rants to this distinction, only enter the
field of competitor for the public favor, and
the popular choice fall on him who COM
bines the best will, the finest address and
the most ability, and Minnesota will COM
mand much more respect than she will by
entering into party squabblcs over which
she has no control. The man who be-
comes the peoples choice under these cir
cumstanccs, is more apt to be an efficient
public servant, than one who is elected to
office merely because he is party man.
Party organization is commendable in
In1;n,-o f1,n Of II,
principles will promote the interests of the
country, and when questions are at issue
:".vl,;rg those :,.inclples; but it is de-
tracing much from the dignity of great
questions of national policy to bring them
to bear upon candidates for office, whose
duties, when elected, will have no connec-
tion with them. In voting for Prcsi-
dent, each man should adhere to his party
also, in voting for Congressman in the
States, and other high officers, whose du-
ties require them to act upon the questions
which divide the parties. But it would
be as reasonable to select a party man to
build the capitol, as to select one TO be a
member of the Legislature of Minnesota.
Indeed, the builder will do more TO give
character TO the Territory, than any men,
Der of the Legislature is likely to do, and
is therefore more important parsonage.
We can do no gcol-we cannot effect for
good or bad, any party measure-5y organ
izing, no more than a battery planted five
miles distant, could effect the storming of
city. Our shots will not take effect,
and why waste ammunition? Nor is
there any danger that we will be put to
rout by the enemy; for, however we may
differ on the subject of party and party
measures, there is one thing in which we
cannot diiier-that the country has pros
pered, to greater or less extent, under
both, and will continue TO prosper unde,
either Wing or Democratic rule.
1t may be said that parties choose their
best men, and the result is the same as il
the people choose the best. 1t is not true
though, that parties do always choose their
best-they choose those who will serve
the party. or the party leaders best; moi
those who will serve the public best. But
even if it were true, the result would moi
be the same. A party may have major.
ity of voters, and elect its best men, when
it may happen that there is a much better
one, who could exercise more influence
and do more for the public good in the
minority party-but he cannot be taken
up because he is on the wrong side in pol
itics. Give the people free scope; re-
strain them by no party shackles, and they
are sure to arrive at correct conclusions,
Doth as to men and measures; although no
one man composing the public, NAV be
able to give all the reasons for such con-