The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-09-29
The Letter OF the Hon. John C. Brcck-
cMdrigc.

letter purporting to have been despatched
by sundry personal friends Of Mr.. RICE,
Hon. ALEX RAMSEY among the number,
to members of Congress, beseeching them
to come to the rescue Of our delegate in his
present pressing necessity. To how many
Hon. Congressman these missives were sent,
and how many refused to reply, are facts
which will probably be kept locked up in
the breasts of these personal friends"
without distinction of party"
The first instalment, in answer is the let
ter of the gentleman whose name heads
this article. We have always been an adj
mirer of Mr. BREcKENRIDGE's character and
talents since his entrance upon public life,
and have regarded him as among the ssris-
ing young men Of the nation. But that he
was ever looked upon as the Democratic
leader Of the House Of Representatives as
asserted by the Democrat is very great
mistake. There are far ADLER and more ex-
perienced members of the party in that
body than Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE. He is nev-
ertheless truly eloquent gentleman, and
possessed of no small share of influence
After stating thus briefly an opinion of the
man, we shall proceed to notice his commu-
nication, which having been drawn up ex-
pressly for publication, has become public
property, and as such we will treat it. If
Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE should happen to be
raped on the knuckles for his interference
in our domestic concerns he will have to
thank those who brought him him out.
Without noticing the ACCOMPANYING COM
ments of the Democrat, inasmuch as they
are of no sort of Importance pro or con, We
will plunge in medius res, and ask Mr..
BRECKENRIDGE few questions which the
people of Minnesota would be glad to have
answered.
First. Why was it necessary for Mr..
BRECKENRIDGE to write out long reply to
the note addressed him by Hon. ALExAN-
DER RAMSEY and other personal friends" of
Mr.. RICE, when the queries could havebeen
answered fully in less than dozen lines?
Second. Why did not Mr.. BREcKEN-
RIDGE put on record, if he believed it, that
Mr. RICE had no connection with the alter
alton in the public records? Does he say
so No he does not With all evident de-
sire to shield Mr. RICE, if possible, by the
use Of many words which mean nothing, but
serve to throw mist around the subject,
Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE is very careful not to
assert upon bis honor, as gentleman, that
he does not believe Mr. RICE to be guilty Of
completely in the alleged fraud. He only
expresses surprise that such charges should
be made, and he states further that no wit
ness referred to Mr.. RICE as connected with
the alteration, and then he launches forth
into long dissertation on matters not
within the scope of the inquiries directed to
him nor having any bearing upon them
Verify, Mr.. B., whether actuated by mag
nanimity Or a less worthy motive, you have
gone without the record to throw flimsey
covering of words over the unworthy action
of our Delegate which will avail him not
one iota with the people. We repeat, you
have not asserted your belief that Mr.. RICE
was not party or privy to the Justification
Of the public records. nor does any part of
your long and carefully written letter bear
any such construction.
Third. We would like much to learn of
Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE, why he, as chairman Of
the Committee of Investigation in the alb
sence of Mr.. WAsHBURNE, was so anxious to
have the committee discharged from fur
ther consideration Of the subject, when he
was told openly in his place by Mr.. CAMP
BELL of Ohio, (the gentleman so often quot
ed by the Minnesotian as the re plus ultra of
legislators that other important testimony
could be obtained which would throw much
light on the subject. But no, that would
never do, the whole thing must be hushed
up forthwith, although seventy-three mem
bers of House declared by their votes that
they were dissatisfied with that summary
mode of disposing Of the question.
Fourth. 1t is to be hoped that Mr.. B
will enlighten us as to an alleged interest he