The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-02-28
The Capital-Bribery ana CSirnrtioh.

The Capit&l-Bribery ana C6trnltlohs
Under the above caption, the editor of the
Pioneer and Demeera, in his issue of 1eetsr.
day morning pays just tribute to the per-
fdy Of certain members Of the Legislature
to whom we say, "if the garment fits you
wear it." They will it. . As the Al
mighty marked Cain, 50, will the peopleof
Minnesota brand with "traitor" the brow
Of those who, by speech and vote, arrogated
to themselves powers never claimed by the
most rigid advocate of "squatter sovereign.
ty"-powers denied by the supreme law o.
the land and who before the sound of their
false professions had died away upon the eal
of their constituents, denied to them the
privilege Of locating the House Of the Peo-
ple-the Capitol-s'in their own way" and
at such place as they should see fit. They
further refused to allow the organic law Of
the Territory to control their votes and ao-
tions-that which they had solemnly sworn
to support. $50
If these men can thus betray the trust re-
posed in them by their Observation-Disclosures
their oath of office-betray their party-au
soaaom bribe, what in the name of Heaven
would they have done for a bride? "When
the wicked rule, the people suffer-"
The article of our neighbor should be &C
ceptable to all parties and all people Of Min
nesota at this time. 1t will be found profita-
bic for instruction as we'll as reproof We
say to the guilty parties: Clothe yourselves
in sackcloth and ashes, and repent Of your
false deeds ere it be too late.
We copy the Pioneers article at length !:
We think all candid persons must admit,
that the great motive power brought to bear
upon certain members of cur Legislature, as
indicated by sudden change of front by
which the most extravagant advocates of the
rights of the people, in that body suddenly
sought to deprive them of the power to To-
cate the Capital Kin their own way" and at
such point as they should see fit, and as was
guaranteed by the Organic Act, was made up
of money, and shares in ST. Peter.
We do not expect that the committee now
raised to report upon this bargain and sale,
will be able to procure proof positive of the
crime with which the names of certain men,
bers now are, and must remain, associated in
the public mind. The party offering bride
will certainly deny the fact, while the recip-
lent is privileged from eliminating himself;
and it is not to be expected that the guilty
party will volunteer his services in such a
cause. Hence we are justified in judging
them from appearances.
The people of Minnesota have a right to,
and they will, scan the conduct of these rep
resentatives. In so doing they will ask the
old advocates of popular sovereignty, and
the new converts to "squatter" sovereignty,
why they deprived the people of the right to
locate the Capital Gin their own ways" and
this, too, in violation of that Organic Act,
which they have sworn to support. Some
of these members have acted against their
professions, and in disregard of the supreme
law of the land; and if the public believe
that these weighed less in their conscientious
balances, than did the "thirty pieces of sill
yer," they must be content with the logiti-
mate reward of their own conduct.
1t is laughable to see with what affectedly
honest Indignation these members seek to
repel the self-evident convictions of guilt
with which their names are associated in the
PuOAIS AuiAau. Lucy are HUI COuIcuI " 0Ct
upon the advice of DR.. johnson, that "those
who live in Flymarket should never cry
sinking fish % They go farther they
swear that the fish are good; that they have
not been bribed. Now, inasmuch as these
members are, by the laws, relieved from
bearing witness against themselves, modesty
would seem to suggest that they should re-
frain from testifying in their own behalf
And this more especially, as all men know
that he who can be guilty of the crime
charged, may, in his sober moments, become
honest enough to deny the imputation. The
reverse Of this proposition is at war with
the whole history of crime from the days of
Ananias to the present. The man is base,
indeed, who would be the recipient of
bride; but he is infinitely more base who
would glory in his shame, and, when accu-
sed, would own his guilt.
With these suggestions, we say to sus-
pected members,-Hand in your denials; hit
birds always futter. When Jesus said to His
disciples zone among you shall betray me-"
Judas answered, "Lord, is it IL" After
this, Judas proved his love for his Master,
by embracing and kissing him. Come up,
you suspected, and especially those of you
who suspect yourselves, and Judas-like
prove your innocence. Our columns are
open.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.