The weekly Minnesotian., 1857-11-28
How the Case Stands


whole vocabulary of abuse.
But it will find itself mistaken if it thinks
TO draw us into any personal controversy of
from the main point at issue:
This is, that systematic attempt to foist
SIBLEY into the Gubernatorial chair, by
means of forged returns, has been made by
the Democratic leaders.
We have already shown numerous instan-
ces in which this preconcerted plan was car
ried out in the ordinary course of the election
canvass. But their frauds in this regular
way not being sufficient to effect the. desired
reSult,-the returns as they came in showing
clearly that RAMSEY was elected-we have
charged that the leaders got together, in a
caucus at the American House, in this city,
TO take measures to get up returns from the
northern wilderness, to defeat RAMSEY at any
rate
We have charged that the caucus took
place on Sunday, the Oath of October but
it may hare been, as the Pioneer suggests, the
25th.
At that caucus We said that an agent was
freighted by them with poll books from the
Pioneer Office, to go up to the North and ar
range the returns, and bring down the MAORI
ties necessary to elect SIBLEY. And that
such agent did 60, and did with others forge
such election returns, giving large Democrat
ic majorities from wilderness precincts where
no people lived, which majotities the Pioneer
published under the head of 200 majority
for SIBLEY in Cass, Pembina and Todd Coun-
ties" And on the strength of these bogus
majorities and the forged "Brown" returns
from Cottonwood, Murray, Rock, Martin and
Redwood Counties, with great flourish, and
in spread-eagle style, it claimed the election
of SIBLEY.
Carefully avoiding the real gist of our
charge that such agent did go up north with
such poll books, and did with others, fix up
the business on which he was sent, the Pr
Oaeer fastens upon what it thinks is our weak
point-the Sunday Caucus, and vociferously
demands 'the proof" "the proof"
In this the Pioneer thinks itself very cum
ming. 1t is aware from the nature of Sc
cret Caucus, such as this was, how difficult it
will be to prove anything in relation to it.
Men engaged in such disreputable proceed
ings are not apt to make public proclamation
in regard to them. On the contrary, they
surround their action with all the mystery
and cloaks and silence with which it is pos
sible to conceal them. If held at Hotel,
the keeper OF 1t would be the last person in
the world to know anything about it. Such
Caucus would not number go many but
that the private room of ore of their board
ers would easily, and unconsciously to them,
hold them all.
And we can think of no greater absur-
dity than to bring out the keepers Of the Ho-
tel in such card as RICE & FILKINs have
published, merely to show that they knew
of no such Caucus being held at their house.
1t puts US in mind of the Irishman whom the
Court was about proving, on a trial by wit
ncsses who saw the occurrences, that he had
beat and abused certain person, when he
proposed to Offset it by the testimony of
s'twinty men who did mt see him do it,
The brother of Henry NJ. RICE, and Mr..
FILKINs had better kept their heads out of
this muss where there is so much punching
going on
Our information of this Caucus was deriv-
ed from Democratic source, and 1--WE be-
lieve-we know" it to be true that it was
held at that Hotel, at that time. But we
cannot expose the source of our information,
for it was confidential 1t is to be expected
that the participants in that Caucus will deny
most vcciferously tieir share in its delibera-
tions and conclusions.
The fact is this-the Pioneer has got all
our vunesses, and knowing this is what
makes it so bold.
But we have proposition to make to that
paper and its friends. If any of those dis
tinguished Democrats and honorable" men
are so much aggrieved and injured, a Suit for
Libel would doubtless afford them a plaster
for their wounded honor. They might even
be awarded such good round amount for
damages" on the principle, 'the greater the
truth the greater the libel" sufficient to
break up and ruin the Alnnesotian, which
will be another great point gained for the
Democratic party.
We urge them to try the Libel Suit, and
then we shall give the Pioneer plenty Of proof
about the Sunday caucus"
This, all must admit, is fair proposition.
So much for the "Sunday caucus"
We await with considerable impatience
some further developments FROM the Pioneer
in relation to the "burglary' Of those poll
books!
1t is pretty strong confirmation derived
from its own columns that the writer's for the
Pioneer know more about these forged returns
than they are just now willing to admit.
The Pioneer asserts that several poll books
were stolen.
That which we peremptorily ask the Pio-
neeris, whether these were genuine poll books
or forged poll books?
Whether they were blank poll books from
the Pioneer Office, or manuscript poll books
from somewhere else,-for thereby hangs a
tale.
"The burglary" !" "the' burglary !"-don't
put US off with half told story.
ssFun OF Sound and Fury,,, &C.
We learn that Gov. German, disguised
with the inefficiency of the Pioneer, has him.
salf hacome one of the Editors of that com