The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-10-20
MONDAY MORNING, OCTOBER Il, 1865.
Political Rascality.

We had thought all through the late ex-
citing political canvass, and thought even up
to Thursday of this week-two days after
the contest was over-that whoever might
be elected to Congress of the three candi-
dates, we could be enabled to pursue our
old course of endorsing the successful man,
before the Territory and the Nation, as a fair
exponent of the honest will of our people.
1t appears we were mistaken-a least if Mr.
Rice is elected, Of which there is now little
doubt. Facts have come to our knowledge
within the last forty-eight hours which
strongly go to prove, that all the sins here
tofore charged upon Mr.. R. by his enemies,
are exceedingly light in comparison to those
he has been instrumental in committing to
secure his reelection to Congress.
We have already alluded to his tricks "
of double-dealing and defamation of private
character in Southern Minnesota. This is
far from being the worst. Coming home
after his high Billingsgate antics at Chatfeld
and elsewhere, he proceeded in few days
thereafter to visit the Minnesota Valley. He
commenced his campaign in that quarter at
Shakopee, Chasca, &C., by stating positively
that he kneac Olmsted had declined to run, and
was supporting Marshall Fortunately,
few hours afterwards Olmsted was on his
track, prepared of course to contradict the
falsehood
Again: this same lie was circulated in all
of Southern Minnesota, and on the ST. Croix,
by Rice's tools-including, we are sorry to
hear, men holding high commissions under
the Government of the United States.
The Minnesota and Northwestern Rail-
road Company, we had been induced to be-
love previous to now, was not disposed to
enter into the support of a political par.i.an
candidate for any Office in Minnesota. As
one of the original AMI continued fast friends
of that Company, we had been led to sup
pose that its members were not particularly
interested as to whether the question of
Slavery or Freedom should triumph in Min
nesota at the late election. But it appears
we were mistaken even here. At late day
in the canvass, not only the money but the in
.Ruence Of the Company pas arrayed to strike
dozen certain original and material friends of
the enterprise, merely because they wished
Minnesota represented in Congress by a
backbone Freeman instead of consummate
Doughface! We wish to know, before goirg
farther, whether the leading men of the
Company endorse this action of their en-
ployces and agents here in Minnesota? The
fact is clearly susceptible of being sustained.
Is the NJ. and n. w. r. r. Co. political
/" institution" or not? We have always
contended for the negative side till now.
These are but few of the most abjectly
base tricks " which Mr.. Rice has used to
secure his election. We cannot endorse
him to the next Republican majority of the
National House of Representatives as we
could have endorsed him, had he pursued an
honorable course towards his opponents to
secure his election. He has placed himself
beyond the pale of political respect even !;
and this time he goes forth to Washington
as most arrant swindle upon Minnesota