Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-09-11
A Letter from David Olmsted.

VINONA, august ~, lO00'
MY DEAR SIR:-I have received your favor of
statements in the st. Paul Democrat, questioning
the consistency of my former political course, and
accusing me of having been "instrumental in the
defeat of Lewis Cass.; &c. 1t has been my set
tied intention not to notice any of the falshoods
regarding myself, contained in that sheet, as
believe the character of its present management
is too well know to permit its statements to be
credited by any except those who have a natural
aversion to truth. a. a.
Since, however, you have thought it worth call
ing my attention to the matter, will state in a
few words how far l could have been instrument
tai in the defeat of General Cass. In the first
place, will remark that since l was fourteen
years of ageI have never resided in State DUR
ing Presidential campaign. Previous to that
time, General Cass, l believe, was never can
didate for the Presidency, and consequently it is
not probable that had done much to his preju-
dice. During the canvass of lS48, which result
cd in his defeat, resided within the present linn
its Of tho Territory of Minnesota. Our Territory
was then unorganized, and was destitute either
of government or a name, and on the very day
on which General Cass received the nomination Of
the Baltimore Convention, was encamped on
the Wabashaw Prairie, where the present town of
WinOna is situated, and within IL few hundred
yards of where now write. During the summer
was absent from the Territory but once, when
made hurried visist to Washington on private
business, and was absent but eighteen davs from
the time that embarked at Wabnshaw Prairie
until l landed on my return at Louis Roberts
Log Warehouse in st. Paul. At the time of
the election, and for several months previous,
| resided one hundred ani fifty miles from my
Post Office. At one time was more than a
week without seeing the face of white man,
and it was only on the first day of January,
lS49, that heard the result of the election of
the preceding fall.
When add that during the pendency of the
Presidential canvass, never wrote nor received
political letter from any of the States, you
can form your own conclusions as to how far |
was I" instrumental'' in the result. When l also
add that the present editor of the Democrat,
as well as MIR. Rice, was personally aware of
most OF the facts above stated, it may perhaps
confirm your previously expressed opinion con-
cerning his ve acity.
With regard to the charge that before the de-
feat OF General Cass, "cut asunder all obliga-
tions, and joined the Abolition tribe" can
only ask the privilege of having pointed out to
me the time or the occasion when such an event
transpred. My opinions, in regard to the fun
damental principles of the Democratic party,
have never been changed, and my sentiments
with regard to slavery and slavery extension
have never been concealed from my fellow-citi-
zens. l have always regarded slavery as a great
moral and political evil, and a curse to the
OsatcS "ueEe IL unfortunately exists. l 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 opposed to the extension
OF the curse over free territory, as injurious to
the best interests of the country and opposed
to the true spirit of Democratic government.-
1t these sentiments constitute an Abolitionist,
then l 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 country 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 Whig-that
have been q Wing candidate for Congress--and
that was supporter of the last National Wing
and Territorial Administrations simply as
false as they are malicious, and the old residents
OF the Territory will be amused as we'll as dis
gusted, with this attempt on the part Of my de-
tractors to exchange their antecedents for mine.
In conclusion, will say that have no further
disposition to notice the falsehoods of the Demo-
crat, or the clique of which it is the organ. Its
character is so we'll understood that its state
ments can have no effect to prejudice me with the
Intelligent and candid portion of tho community,
whose respect alone hope to enjoy.
am, very respectfully, your ob't servant,
DAV. OLMSTED.