The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-01-31
Correspondence Of the Minnesotian.
Minnesota I'm Congress. ~
WASHINGTON, Jan. I, 2

! w ASHINGTON, Jan. 4, Zc0I. .
! MEssRs. EDITORS Il would write yor
items of Congressional news, were not every
thing fiat, stale, and Improbable. Last ses-
sion, in Congress everything looked toward
President making; now everything toward
the chances in the new Administration. |
need not tell you how many cabinets hare
already been formed! can tell you one
thing positive, however. That is, Gen. Cass,
has in private positively affirmed that there
no longer remains any appointment for him
this side the grave. On no consideration
would he accept anything. AS to whether
the President elect will give way before the
"outside-pressure," and to that extent, by
removing the mae,s, and making place for
the outers all is conjectural. ~
Washington is already overfowing with
lean, hungry looking set, and woe to Buchan-
an were he to arrive here in open day.
But to us subject of more interest than
all this, is the conditions of the admission of
our Territory into the sisterhood of States.
The expedency of admission is no longer
open to discussion. Congress, which has
done nothing with good grace for the Ter
rltory, now threatens to withhold the annual
appropriation, and thus force MS molens rolens
to adopt constitution. Perhaps this is all
we'll, and we had better cease with this bick-
ering, jarring dscordant family, with as good
a grace as possible.
We all did, and have for years entertained
high hopes that Congress would have done
something handsome for our territory But
we arc as yet doomed to disappointment
The multiplication of our representa- We force
in Washington by the creation of the Terito-
ry into State, may make our condition bet
ter-coanot make il aeoyse. No odoubt our pres
ent delegate serves the territ ry to the ut
most of his capacity; is very active, and it
is said efficient, outside of Congress, among
the clerks in different offices in setting in
dividnal interests, and if he possesses not the
faculty of arresting the attention of Congress
to the welfare of his state and constituents,
it is his misfortune more than his fault
Raised as clerk in heavy financial c2n-
Germ, he readily grasps the details of office
business which has proved very lucrative to
many of our citizens, but his deficiency in
Legislative tact and experience has proved
very unfortunate to our territorial prosper
ity. 1t is true that Congress has in regular
order made some petty al preparations for
military roads, but in everything that we
asked outside of the regular order, they have
thrown us aside as unworthy of considera-
ton. Our neighbors of Wisconsin and Iowa
have Jared differently. Their representatives
in Congress, being themselves respected for
their talents, have extorted respect for their
States, and government builds for them Gus
tom houses, Post offices, and gives grants of
land for Railroads, while poor Minnesota is
bluffed off with nothing to help her but her
rich soil, healthful climate, and enterprising
citizens.
Therefore think it fortunate that Mime
sofa becomes State She has men of tai
ent and legislative experience. Men who in
the Senate or in the House would guard her
interests and exact from government the full
measure of its favors. 1t is not too late to
hope for change, and as that change could
scarcely be made for worse it must be for
better. There is no doubt in the world that
when we come to have in Congress Senators
and Representatives. of intellectual stamina,
some individual force Of character, that the
condition of our affairs will very speedily
change. do not write to censure Mr.. Rice.
He has done all that his qualities and posi-
ton would enable him to do, and would will
llngly have done more, had he possessed
that kind of tact which leads to great polti-
cal results. Conscious of this deficiency, he
has striven to make up in individual acts of
kindness, and cxtravagant hospitality, what
he was unable to perform for his state. The
signal defeat of all his attempts to obtain
from Congress some favorable notice of his
Territory, has oppressed him with such grief,
and so disheartened him in his efforts, that
he declares under no conditions will he ever
serve in Congress again. In this he shows
wisdom. He come to Congress as he him
self has often declared in very low circum-
stances. He is now reputed worth quarter
of million. An abundance for him to re
tire upon with ease and elegance. His con-
stitucnts will doubtless continue to respect
him for his good intentions, though unable
to claim much as the result of his Congress
ional mission. MINNESOTUS."