The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-08-01

party had been for long time protessedly
opposed to it, But, sir, after much bitter
strife and contention over the matter upon
both sides, he deserted us and signed the bill
which they asked him to sign.
Again, can very well remember when that
individual was proiessedly in favor OF o north
and south line division of this Territory.
But short time after he came out in favor OF
an east and west. Knowing that to be the
universal view of southern Minnesota, be
hoped TO court some favor with her, anu
gan her support for him to the U. 5. Senate
at some future time. He then stated that
the only reason why he had heretofore
been IN favor If q north and south line was
that he thought It was gong to be better
line for the Democratic party; but that lie
had come to the conclusion to sacrlhce party
interests for the interests OF the Territory.
Then, sir, but few months after he had pro-
claimed h mSelf in favor OF an east and west
line, we he r that he has promised to vote
fora north and south line in the event Of his
election to this Constitutional Convention
He deserted Southern Minnesota then, and
that very movement of his, he having been a
Prominent individual in the Territory, and
having taken prominent p, sition in favor OF
an east and west line, made it impossible TO
make apy successful struggle against a nor'h
and south lire division. Southern .Htanesold
nay gire him The credit Of karing defeat.d Ter
qri>heS ia that matter.
Again sir, happened to have been men,
Der OF the Council last winter when the
question of removing the seat ofgovernment
was mooted Twas in favor of its removal,
4 h,,f hot / IN
vor of it, upon the general principle that the
seat of government of any State or Terrific
nv shoulI not be at the commercial metropo-
lis of that State or Territory. And have
another reason which | will express to my
ST. Paul friends, and that is that they have
ALWAYS been controlled in their political ac-
ton here by a class of men who have always
some traps set for the country membership
men who are always up to this border ruff
fan kind of trickery-this kind of skulldug
gerry as it is called in Minnesota. And now
ST. Paul allows herself to be controlled by
these same border-rutfian politicians. Mem
bers who come frO'u the country are met at
the threshold with some trap and snare.
BIT | diereSs from the point. | said was
in favor of the removal, but | wish to state
that | was not as represented by that die
tator the first one to moot that question. |
did not favor that movement until after it
had been discussed in private circles for some
length of time. and until | had ascertalned
that hal to take one side OF the other,
and | finally took the side that my own in
cliuations dictated The dictator" of the
other party, to my own personal knowledge,
was in favor Of the removal from the very
beginning and inception Of the agitation upon
that subject. To my personal knowledge he
was the adviser of the SAINT Peter Compa V
from the beginning Of that struggle to the
end Of it. To M personal knowledge, he
was the one who drafted that bill as it passed,
with the exception Of some minor amendments
which We're made to it, He says to the ST
Peer Company: "Gentlemen, let me ap
parently stand IN the back ground l am
Governor, and | do not want it to appear that
L am very anxious in the matter but If you
want my assistance at any time when there is
a hard Job before you, l am ready do not
Want 10 say much about this matter, bnt am
willing to met You N your deliberations on
this matter, but do not wish to have it go
forth that as Governor | am working for the
removal Of this Capitol personally know
that this leader advised IN the whole matter
and that bis advice was generally taken. He
was looked up 10 as the best manager in the
matter. l have it, sir in black and white in
nv own house, that he was in favor of it.
have even seen him since [ have been
it this city within tie last three weeks
distributing Revcrdy Jolnson's opinion
upon the subject of the removal. He
presented me with copy. l personally
know that he obtained copy of the act
as it passed, with all the objections of the
presiding officers, with the very object of 60
ing to Washington and obtaining the opinion
OF learned an legal gentlemen upon the le-
Cality of that bill. But, sir, alter few
months we find 4 denial by that gentleman,
that he was in favor of a removal at all. He
SAYS he thought il was a prematur move
ment, and that he thought it would fall still
born that he knew it would not succeed ;
that he ADVISED acco dinghy; and he at
tributes the whole movement to the Black
Republicans. he deserted bis friends in that
movement, changed his course, and for what ?
To accomplish a selfish end at the time-to
accomplish his election as member of this
Convention, thinking that that very election
would place him as dictator" in the party,
which it has. In one sense of the word perhaps
it was shI ewd movement. He denied that
he was in favor IF the removal and said he
signed the bill reluctantly; that he was driv-
en- to 1t because somebody in St. Panl had
threatened violence If he did and that he must
show he was not coward, and this desertion
of the friends of the removal will make it i'm
possible To accomplish that end for some time
10 come. Now submit, after men who are tn,
acknowledged leaders of that party, have
changed their views and course of act ion
upon so many questions of the day. whether
it is ANYTHING strange, after having been once
in favor OF the immediate admission of Min.
nesota into the Union they should turn about
and try to prevent !? Is il not in exact &C
cordance with the action of the leaders of
that party in the past They will shift
as many times as they think necessary to ac
comp'ish some PERSONAL and party end.
Now, Sir, say the people should know
that such is their intention at this time that
they do intend to prevent, if possible, ,his
Territory from coming in as State at this
time. And 1t rs for this purpose and no 9TH
er that l have attempted omake a few re.
marks. Ipresented the resolution to which
have spoken, for the purpose of waking ur
the people upon this subject, and having them
express their views in their various counties
and districts in condemnation of the coarse
the democratic leaders, and democratic party
are taking, to accomplish selfish and part,
objects. Ought the great interests of thi:
Territory to be sacrificed to the accomplish
ment of these selfish objects? Ought oul
railroad, our commercial and our financial
interests be sacrificed to promote the persona
ambition of some party leaders .?
hope the Resolution will be passed, anc
that each one of us will hereafter let ou
constituents know fully what is transpirin.
here. We stand in a position where we ar
cognizant Of all that transpires, and it is gu
duty to let the people know what plotting
are taking place against their interests. W.
are here where we can find cut all the move
ments of that party before and since our or
ganization: and we are perhaps better abb
to judge whas the object of those leaders are
than our friends at home are, who are attend
gto their own private affairs. The peOpl
at home are under the impression that ever
body is in favor Of coming into the Union a
State as soon as possible, and that there ar
no politicians seeking to prevent it. I sa
ttl.air minds should be- disahuse5, and it is 70
that purpose, and that psspose alone, that
make these remarks today.
move that /! is Resolution lie upon tn
table for .hs present wish to hear otbcy
N md ~