Nebraska advertiser., 1857-09-03
AL. Rankin.

After the smoke had cleared away from the
battle field, we designed writing "a line or two''
as to Col. RANKIN, but the following from the
BeRvue Gazette, a bitter opponent Of the Co.'s.
in the late contest, meeting our eye, we copy
it as expressive off wi feelings:
The conflicts over and the dead and wound
ed lie scattered ar und us. We have, as a
journalist, refrained during the canvass from
personality and abuse of private character
Our aim has been higher AND we believe 1T has
been nobler. A sincere desire to subserye the
interests Of the entire territory, and not the
ambitious purposes of a clique which we de-
spise, has prompted all that we have said IN
our columns and stimulated US wherever we
have labored. And now that the heat OF the
contest has cooled, and an unbiased sense OF
Justice asserts its sway, we feel called upon to
say a word with regard to the gentleman whose
name heads this article. He is our neighbor
and personal friend. He has, been a resident
of our county since its first organization. We
have tried the mettle of his steelin many a hard
fought battle, and have every where and al
ways found him q bold, fearless and indepen-
dent opponent. HIS sentiments and opinions
when once fully adopted are the idols of his
worship-and his support Of them under all
circumstances is firm and unbending. Policy
which is the guiding star of most politicians,
has had nc influence upon him. No b nest
conviction has been smotherel-no expression
has been shaped to suit the exigency of the
times. He speaks fully and freely all that he
feels, and iii language easily understood
| mn : - IL 1.- Ao.so I-E H. I1-Vzrv
of saying what he believed, has seemed tc
compensate him for the opposition which he
has excited. This muchw we feel called upor
to say of Col. Rankin as a public man. As
the first Treasurer Of the Territory, and subSe
~auently as United States Marshal we believe
his enemies even, have not urged against hin
a want of capacity or a neglect of duty. Ii
every trust which he has held, we believe h,
has been honest, truthful and efficient.
In private life, We know him to be an earn
est and devoted friend, and the darker tn,
hour which glooms over the pathway of hi
fellows, the warmer is his sympathy. To on
knowledge he has never deserted a friend, a
the dictate of policy or the call of ambition
As a C tizen, we know him to be public spirit
ed and generous even to a fault. He is scru
pulOuSly 6AdCG III tuG Q'HCidlS0 VI di HIS liz
bilities as this whole community will cheer
fully attest.
In the canvass which has Just closed, W
must confess that his course has been shape
{ not with reference to policy, for wherever W
have met him he has been standing upon tn
same platform, and advocating the same doc
trines with an enthusiasm and an energy whic
few men possess. If an energy that knows u
tire-and a fearless advocacy of sound dot
tri- es merited success Col. Rankin would t.
{ day be our Delegate. But be was at first SUI
ported by the leaders of clique with whic
5 we have no sympathy, and we feared the pu
poses for which they would have attemptc
o to use him. After>he was basely and hear
e lessly betrayed by the very man, kho above a
others should have been earnest and consta1
! in his support We had formed compacts tc
sacred to be broken and we opposed him ar
worked for the success Of another. This h
been our course and our Justification.