The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-12-24
The Election OF Senators.

The proceedings OF the Legislature, Sat
urday, show that the Hon. HENRY NJ. RIcE
and Gen JANIS SHIELDS the nominees Of
the Democratic caucus, were elected in joint
convention, rs Senators of the United States,
Mr.. RICE received every Democratic vote
together with the votes OF Messrs. CAMP
BELL, Of Washington, WAKEFIELD, Of Far
ribault, and WALKER and TOWNSEND. Of
Hennepn counties, Republican members
General SHIELDS received every Democratic
vote except one-Senator NoRrHRur-who,
indeed, WAS elected an Independent Demo
crst. and who still classes himself as such.
The life of HENRY NJ. RIcE involves in
it the history of the rise and development of
this section Of the great Northwest. From
childhood, he has been witness of, and "a
participant in, the events which have trans
pired composing the settlement, growth,
and maturity of Minnesota until he can
now visit hundreds of prosperous villages
and settlements, standing on spots which he
has seen in all the unadorned, or rather I'M
mutilated beauty of nature. This change
has not only transpired under his observa-
ton, but he has been, in himself, an element
and power, in working the marvellous mir
acle. Probably no man, by his own ener-
gies, has exercised so direct and potent an
influence as he upon the past development
Of Minnesota, or helped to lay on broader
and surer foundations, the basis of its bril-
liant and glorious future. lie has won the
right to tthe compliment which has been
bestowed upon him by the Representa-
tivcs of the people, whose prosperity he has
so largely helped to advance.
Gen. JAMES SHIELDS is known to the
people Of the whole country. He does not
need the election a. Senator 10 give him
fame or reputation. But our people, on the
other hand, do necd the helps which his ex-
perienced ability and his high national char
acter will bring to their all. He has passed
through nearly the whole range of political
and military service. and few men posses
a more thorough knowledge of statesman
ship as a science, or Of the detailed opera
tions of government in all its various RANT
fcations.
General SHIELDS has occupied in sue
cession the Offices Of Member Of the Legisla-
turc, State Auditor, and Judge of the Su.
preme Court of Illinois Commissioner Of
the General Land Office General in the ar
nv and Senator OF the United States.--
These positions cover almost every Grade
Of civil service, and the highest grade Of
military service. The fact that General
SHIELDS has filed all thee various offices
with fai,hfulness and abilty--that he has
retired from the duties Of each with an in.
creased popularity, is, in itself, the highest
compliment which il il in our power to be-
stow The people OF Minnesota are iortu-
nate in being able to secure, at this mos,
critical period OF the history Of their State
a man to serve them who has already been
tried in 40 great a variety Of positions. ard
who ha. always shown himself TO be- equal
and superior to all requirements justly made
upon his duty or bis honor.
After the election, q resolution was in
trcIuced, expressing preference for Mr..
RlcE for the long term. The resolution va.
passed by vote Of sixty-three against thirty
one ; Twenty-Five Democrats and thirty four
Republicans voting in the Affirmative, and
twenty four Democrats and seven Republi.
cans voting 10 the negative. This re-Olu
ton gave rise to some discussion and mas
much as the convention Possessed no power
over the decision Of the matter. We must
think its introduction and passage illtirnsd
a. well as imperative. Saving this eircum-
stance, which gave rise to some bad feeling,
the duties Of the convention were performed
with manifest pleasure the Democrats feel
ing that they lad done an &C, cre'll,abie to
themselves, and in the highest degree bere-
fetal TO the state.
We congratulate the people on this ~
suit. We send 10 the United State Senate
delegation, unsurpassed by any from tie
Nor,hses, in point Of ability, exper'enee,
and character. Minnesota will at once take