The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-08-06

HON. DAVID OLMSTED.


this, we have sought for and found in the
past history Of Mr.. RIcE's career, many a
startling thing to bring to his memory, con-
found him before the people, and strip from
him the brilliant plumage in which his van
ity has permitted his votaries to dress him.
We have learned that he has not been u
friend to Minnesota, and is not entitled to
the credit that has been so profusely &C.
corded to him under the spur of nisrepre-
sentation, and the efforts of individuals who
have made Minnesota and her interests sub
servient to their own profit We shall have
occasion, from time to time, during the
canvass, to present Mr. RICE in unenviable
positions, and this morning we take one of
them up for general consideration, as show
ing how clearly he has worn double face,
and exacted praise here, when, if the truth
was known at the time, the Indignation of
the people Of an outraged territory would
have been hurled upon him,
Two yeas ago the public was keenly
alive to the Importance of establishing a
railroad connection between the Mississippi
Valley and the Pacific Here, in Mime
sofa, it was universally deemed measure
vital to the interests of the Territory, and
almost without respect to party, Northern
route through the Territories of Minnesota
and Washington was earnestly advocated.
The soundest, the most sagacious, and
the most reliable men Of the Territory unit
in advocating it.
Major STEVENS, then first apI ointed Gov
ernor of the new Territory of Washington,
used his influence and devoted his energies
to the Northern Route, and was appointed
by the President to take charge of the sur
vey, and it is fact known to severalo Of the
citizens of Minnesota that DAVID OLasrED
whilst in Washington in the spring of 1853,
by his arguments and information impaired
to Governor STEVENS, influenced him to Sc
lect the identical route adopted by him 1t
is also well known that the route surveyed
by Governor STEVENS was the only one ever
reported to the government as practicable.
S-that his examinations and explorations
>proved it to be extremely favorable.
Mr.. OIMsrEAD was at that time Editor of
the Democrat, and was enthusiastic in his
support of this route, and gave his best
Efforts toward the noble enterprise while he
occupied the Editorial chair.
The Democrat supported Mr.. RICE, for
Delegate; and MIR. OLNsrTD, as Editor,
based his strongest arguments in his behalf
upon the fact, then firmly believed, and ull-
fortunately SO, that if be was sent to Wash
ingtou he would go AS the representative Of
the interests Of the great aorthern route, in
which Minnesota has so large a concern
The Editorials published in the Democrat,
and written by Mr.. OLxsrED. were copied
all over the Union and most certainly had
u beneficial effect in turning the attention
OF capitalists and others hitherward.
This road was calculated to be of the
greatest benefit to the Territory. Men of
all classes, and opinions on other matters,
united in admitting that the solid prosperity
of Minnesota was involved in its cOnstruc-
ton. Party differences faded before it. All
men here were agreed upon it, and by gen.
eral consent it was an imposed duty upon
the Delegate to do everything that lay in
bis power to further the project, and all
things favored its successful realization. At
the time when Mr.. RICE departed hence for
Washington, as the result shows, there was
no euemy to the northern route who belong
ed to Minnesota but the Delegate from Min
nesota, who should have been its warmest
friend. She had given to an migrate the
power to sting her in vital point, simply
that he might serve himself.
Mr.. RICE had it in his power to serve the
interests of Minnesota, by favoring the
northern route, and she record shows no
effort on his part in it, behalf. With all
the public credit which Minnesota has al
ways had before lCoagpess--with all the
means at command which sn aafailiug will
ingness on the part Of Congress to bestow
upon her any favor which her Delegate
might, in common reason ask, to back him.
Mr.. RICE chose to become partner in an
odious scheme of fraud, which irremediably
blsckens h;s renutation. while it has blasted