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


The letter of Mr.. Olmsted, which we pub
lished yesterday, is only of importance to
that degree in which it is consistent or in
consistent with his own position and the po-
sition of his particular political friends and
advisers. Beyond this, its sentiments and
assertions are worthy of no more note than
would be his expression of opinion upon the
siege of Sebastopol. We propose briefly to
direct public attention to some of the main
points in this letter, and to the peculiar po-
sition of Mr.. Olmsted as candidate for Del
epate. We set out with few historical
facts:
1t will be recollected, that some few days
before the conventions of the 25th of July,
the Minnesotian stated, upon the authority
ri Mr.. Olmsted himself, that he would be
the candidate of no party, nor would he stand
upon the platform of any party, unless that
party was an anti-Nebraska party and that
platform an anti-Nebraska platform. These
we conceived to be Mr. Olmsted's real senti-
ments at the time, and no doubt they were.
The only difference between him and our
selves and our Republican friends at that mo-
ment was, that he still appeared determined
to hold fast to the old rotten carcass of De-
mocracy, so called, while we demanded that
man, to receive our support, and the sup
port of the Republicans generally, must cut
entirely loose frem all the old parties, and
fall into the ranks of the Republican organi-
cation. Had Mr. Olmsted been willing to
take this step, contingencies might have aris-
en- by which he would have received the Re-
publican nomination.
Affairs progressed, and the three conven-
tions of July came and passed. Mr.. Olmsted
received the nomination of the German and
Sibley segment of the Democratic party,
after they and their friends were driven out
of the drunken town mob at the Court
House, generally known as the Rice Conven-
ton. Those political leaders who headed the
exodus from the Court House, with one ex-
ception, (Gen. Van Etten) are 'bitter-head-
ed" upholders of the Nebraska swindle.-
Gov. German, Secretary Rosser and Mr.. Sib-
ley are all imbued with the principles Of the
Douglas treachery as deeply as are Stringfel-
low, Atchison and H. NJ. Rice themselves
Their fight against Mr.. Rice is personal one;
and neither German nor Rosser could hold
their offices one hour, did the record show at
Washington that they were supporting an
anti-Nebraska man for Congress. So, of
course, they laid down Nebraska platform
a platform as strong as this high Northern
latitude would be likely to submit to peace
ably. Here it is:
"Rcsoloed, That it is the duty of the Dem
oCracy of this Territory to unite in a fixed
determination to maintain the cardinal doc
trines of the party in. their purity, and to re-
pudiate all the new tangled isms of the day
which conflict or are at variance with those
doctrines
Resolued, That we regard the doctrine of
popular sovereignty in the Territories as
founded on right and justice, and as in conso-
nance with the teachings of the fathers Of
the democratic faith, as we'll as with the &C.
MUS of our institutions.
Resolye7, That it is the duty of the demo-
cracy to sustain the present democratic adj
ministration of the General Government in
all its branches, and to defend and uphold
the principles set forth in the inaugural of
President Pierce"
The first resolution, it will be seen, resolves
against all the 'isms" of the meaning
of course, all except Pro-Slaveryism. The
great leading opposite principle upon which
the Republican party is founded, is one Of
the 'isms" denounced, Notwithstanding Da-
vid Olmsted's but then late coquetting with
this same stism."
Well, upon this platform Mr.. Olmsted was
placed, or rather was suspended over it--for
it was not known whether he would, in his
aground and lofty tumblings," light upon it
feet downwards, or head downwards, or back
downwards, or not at all. To use figure of
Mr.. Wilkinson's in his recent Chatfeld speech,
"Olmsted was left dangling in mid air, uncer-
tain whether eventually he would ascend to
heaven, or descend to hell"
A few days after his nomination, Mr.. Ohm
sted made his appearance in st. Paul. He
gave out that he would forthwith repudiatc
{ the Gorman-Nebraska platform, and avow
his real sentiments, which looked in the op-
posite direction. But days passed, and that
reputation did not appear. He again went
home to Winona, and we were promised that
the precious document would be forthcoming
Immediately upon his arrival at home. A
month passed, and 10! he opens his
mouth. But what does he say p
Does he denounce the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise? No. Does he pour out his
w3fessed long pent-up wrath against the in
vasion and conquest of Kansas by Atchison
and his Missouri cut-throats2 No. Does
he say that were he elected Delegate, he
would harmonise with the Republican ma
jority of the next Congress, and use his in
fuence for the restoration of the Missouri;
Compromise? No. Does he express the
least sympathy with the Great Republican
movement of the country, one of the car
dinal principles of which is, that no more
Slave States shall be admitted into this
'Union2 No. He simply says, Incidentally,
that he is opposed to the extension of slavery !!
Douglas says the same-Pierce says the
,same-Rice says the same-Gorman says