The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-09-08


winning this year.
Letter from David Olmsied.
In the Pioneer of yesterday, we find the
following letter from Mr.. Oimsted, called out
it appears by alleged false reports, circulated
by his enemies here in St. Paul. We shall
have something more at length to say in re-
gard to this letter tomorrow:
WINoNA, August p, 1855.
Ny DEAR SIR Il have received your ia
vor of the Goth instant, calling my attention
to certain statements in the St. Paul Demo
crat, questioning the consistency of my form
er political course, and accusing me of having
been " instrumental in the defeat of Lewis
Cass." &c. 1t has been my settled intention
not to notice any of the falsehoods, regarding
myself, contained in that sheet, as believe
the character of its present management is
too well known to permit its statements to
be credited by any except those who have a
natural aversion to truth.
Since, however, you have thought it worth
calling my attention to the matter, will
state in a few words how far l could have
been instrumental in the defeat of General
Cass. In the first place, will remark that
since l was fourteen years of age have nev-
er resided in a State during q Presidential
campaign. Previous to that time, General
Cass, believe, was never candidate for the
Presidency, and consequently it is not pro-
bable that had done much to his prejudice.
During the canvass of 1848, which resulted
in his defeat, l resided within the present
limits of the Territory of Minnesota. Our
Territory was then unorganized, and was des-
titute either of government or a name, and
on the very day on which General Cass re-
ceived the nomination of the Baltimore Con-
vention, was encamped on the Wabashaw
Prairie, where the present town of Winona
Il situated. and within q few hundred yards
fof where now write. During the summer
l was absent from the Territory but once,
when made hurried visit to Washington on
private business, and was absent but eighteen
days from the time that embarked at Wa
bashaw Prairie until landed on my return
at Louis Roberts Log Warehouse in st. Paul
At the time of the election, and for sevenl
months previous, / resided one hundred and
fifty miles from my Post Office. At one time
l was more than a week without seeing the
face of white man, and it was only on the
first day of January, 1s49, that heard the
result of the election of the preceding fall.
When add that during the pendency Of
the Presidential canvass, l never wrote nor
received political letter from any of the
States, you can form your own conclusions
as to how far l was instrumental in the
result. When l also add that the present
editor of the Democrat, as well as Mr.. Rice,
was personally aware of most of the facts
above stated, it may perhaps confirm your
previously expressed opinion concerning his
veracity.
With regard to the charge that before the
defeat of General Cass, "cut asunder all
obligations, and joined the Abolition tribe, -
1 can only ask the privilege of having pointed
out to me the time or the occasion when
such an event transpired. My opinions, in
regard to the fundamental principles of the
Democratic party, have never been changed,
and my sentiments with regard to slavery
and slavery extension have never been con-
cealed from my fellow-citizens. 1 have al
ways regarded slavery as great moral and
political evil, and curse to the States where
it unfortunately exists. have always been
satisfied of the folly and wrong of Abolition
interference with the institution in States
where it is guaranteed by the Constitution.
But have ever been iopposed to the ex-
tension of the curse over free territory, as
injurious to the best interests of the country
and opposed to the true spirit of Democratic
government. If these sentiments constitute
an Abolitionist, then / have hitherto deserved
the name, and shall never seek to avoid it.
If to adhere to the sentiments of jefferson
and jackson is treason to the coutry and to
the party, which in their day manifested
some sort of respect for their principles,
then / am unworthy of confidence.
The statements that was once a Wing
that have been Wing candidate for Con-
gress-and that / was supporter of the
last National Wing and Territorial Admins
trations- are simply as false as they are
malicious, and the old residents of the Ter
ritory will be amused as well as disgusted,
with this attempt on the part of my detrac-
tors to exchange their antecedents for mine.
In conclusion, l will say that have no
further disposition to notice the falsehoods
of the Democrat, or the clique of which it is
the organ. Its character is now so well un-
derstood that its statements can have no
effect to prejudice me with the intelligent
and candid portion of the community, whose
respect alone hope to enjoy.
am, very respectfully, your ob't servant,
DAY. OLMSTED.