The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-09-03
THE MINI ES @ I IA N =.
xatut paul, saturhap, srptfmhfr 8, 1883.
On the Track I!
ST. PAUL, Sept. I'd. 1853

On the Track!
ST. PAUL, Sept. I'd. 1853.
MEssRs Owens & MOORE Having been re-
suested by many friends in different portions OF
the Territory, to allow my name to be USED IN
connection with the office of Delegate to Con-
oress. l desire YOU to announce my consent to
become q candidate at the approaching cleo
tion,-with the understanding that though
Wing, am before the people without regard 10
National Politics; and if elected, Will seek
only to discharge my duty to the ,chole people
of Minnesota, without regard to political par
tics or factious organizations.
Very respectfully
Your obcdt. seryt.,
ALEX. WILKIN.
The above. VIC are fully confident, decides
the matter as to who will be supported by the
Wbios and independent men of Minnesota, in
opposition to the regular Democratic nom'-
nee. II. NJ. Rice Capt. Wilkin states that he
has been solicited to stand for the canvass by
people in different portions Of the Territory.
Such we know to be the fact; and he might
with propriety have said, in all parts Of the
Territory. We happen to know, that prefer
ence for him has been expressed by large de-
tachments of voters on the British line, north,
and on the Iowa line south upon the extreme
eastern limits of the Territory, and in the far
tbest western settlements; here at the central
emporium in the new counties west of the
Mississippi, and as far north up that river as
voter is to be found. Under these circum-
stances, and with knowledge of the fact that
the Wings and many others were willing to sup
port him, although he was not the first choice
OF some of them and that he would be the only
candidate in the field, he has consented to come
forward in the manner indicated above. That
zoe will support him to the best of our humble
abilities, and take all honorable means to Sc
cure his election, We presume it is not necessa-
~, under the circumstances, to state.
Toward his opponent, Ii. N. Rice, we have
not the slightest grounds ofpersonal luminosity
and we believe We are safe in saying very few
Wings in the Territory at this time have.
Whatever may have given us cause at certain
periods during the past three years, to be re-
garded as occupying different position to-
wards that gentleman from the one here stated,
Is entirely overlooked. The firm and independ-
ent stand taken by Mr.. r. upon question
which it is not necessary here to name, has
softened the acerbity of feeling formerly exist
ing, and placed him in quite different atti-
tude as man, and citizen, before the Wings
of the Territory to the one he formerly occu-
pied. But, standing as he now does,a poiiti-
clan seeking high Office, he is the same to us
as ever. He has placed himself there by his
own choice and he cannot, and We presume
does not, expect the Wing support We are no
more strenuous than in former years about sup
porting nothing but Wings for Office. But when q
man accepts the nomination Of a partisan con-
ventiOn, the act is virtual reading out from
bis support Of oil at least who profess to belong
to the opposite party. We cannot support him
II we desired to- without a violation of prinoi-
pies dear to US, and an utter abandonment of
political faith and party usages. On this
ground, if no other, the Wings and Mr.. Rice
must separate.
But we do not wish to place this matter in
purely partisan light. There are questions
with us at this time that rise above party. We
believe the great interests Of Minnesota will be
quite as safe, if not more SO, in the hands of
Capt. Wilkin as in those of Mr.. Rice. He came
among US at her birth, and has ever since re-
sided here, sustaining manfully her best later
ests, and laboring zealously to forward her pro-
gress. Hhe has not accomplished as much as
some other men, it was not for the want of dis
position but for opportunity. Whatever his
means and position has allowed him to do, he
has done. As an officer under the late Admin
istraton, andsas private citizen, he has Ia
bored for the public veal and when we come
to speak Of acts Of individual kindness, we think
The mantle of the poor mans friend rests with
at least as much Justice upon the shoulders Of
Our candidate as upon Mr.. Rices.
The Wings Of the Territory, as we'll as O
large number Of other citizens who do not feel
themselves bound to support Mr.. Rice. having,
as we understand the matter significd their
Intention Of supporting Captain Wilkin, it now
beheoyes them to 60 to work and give him
somethIng else than lip support. The heart
and the hand must be in the contest il we would
accomplish any thing. Counties, districts, towns
and precincts must be organized. A good I'M
destanding must exist between all parts of the
Territory. There must be action-united ac-
zion. The election takes place on Tuesday, the
eleventh Of October, five weeks and three days
only from this time. But the interval, though
comparatively short, is ample for a thorough
and effective canvass. Let our friends addrcs:
themselves to the work unitcdly and manfuly
and develop oil the chances of success. 1t il
by no means 'forgone conclusion that Mr.
Rice will be elected, although perhaps some O
his opponents have been led to believe So If
a. all events, we doour duty and fail afterwards
we will at least pass through the contest with
clear coEsciences, and free from sclfreproach
Work
Old Correspondence.
GL1NvrLE, Gilmer Co., Va, July 20, ,53