The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-07-01
Henry II. sibley and Alexander Ramsey.

Henry II. smiley and AIexand.r Ramsey.
The daily assaults made by the organ Of
ALEXANDER RAMSEY against the character
of Governor SIBLEY, in connection with the
late general election, the official canvass and
the rightful occupancy Of the Executive Of.
fee, make it proper to compare, or rather to
contrast the positions really held by these
gentlemen before the public at the present
time. In making the review necessary for
this purpose, we he happy to say that we
shall not feel obliged to descend to the vul-
gar and unjust accusations and SANDERS with
which the organ Of Gov. RAMSEY has been
disgraced, but only to state the facts as they
are publicly known, in decent, pertinent
manner.
1t will not be necessary, for the purpose
Of this article, to review the incidents OF the
canvass preceding the State election. Our
readers were informed as the events occurred,
of all facts relating to the bearing of the
candidates for Governor, and the means used
to influence the popular judgment. 1t is
enough to say on this point, without seeking
to criminate Gov. RAMSEY, that the conduct
of Gov. SIBLEY throughout the contest, at.
ford to all honorable men, pleasing contrast
to the course pursued by his competitor.
The canvass of the votes was made in
pursuance Of the requirement of the consti-
tuition, by gentlemen therein named,-who
were agreed upon without dissent by both
the Republican and Democratic branch Of
the Constitutional Convention,-who repre-
sented both sides Of politics, and who were
selected with especial reference to their high
character as men Of honor. The canvass
itself was made upon project submitted by
the Republican member of the Board Of
| Canvassers, who was known as an ardent
friend of Gov. RAMSEY and whose wishes,
though they clashed with the views Of the
Democratic majority, were at last graceful.
ly and magnanimously yielded to, and adop-
/ ted as the basis on which the election should
| be determined The canvass thus made,
fairly and strictly according to the plan pro
posed by the Republicans themselves, was
certified to us correct by every member Of
the Board, including Mr.. GALBRArrH, upon
whose resolution il was conducted, and who,
by his signature TO the report Of the Board
testified not only to the fairness Of his own
project, but to the integrity with which
it had been adhered to by his associates.
The decision of the Board of Canvasscrs,
which awarded TO Gov. SiBLEY, and to all
the Democratic candidates on the State
ticket, certificates of election to their respec-
tive Offices, was Immediately met by Gov,
RAMSEY, in private conversations, and
through the columns of papers which he
controlled, with charges of fraud and cor
rup,ion against the Board Of Canvassers,
and against Gov. SIBLEY. In contempt OF
the fact. which we have often noticed, that
the plan pursued by the Bolrd was that
suggested by himself, through the member
who was his political friend, associate, and
personal admirer in spite Of the fact, that
this personal and political friend, when act
ing nnder the added obligations Of bis off
cial oath, testified by that oath, and by his
free signature. that his friend was defeated.
and that Henry ii. SrBLky was elected
Governor Of the State; in disregard Of the
farther fact, that under no scheme Of can
wasting, could this result have been honestly
changed, or materially modified in spite Of
all these facts, any one Of which should
have silenced the lips Of any man OF honor.
or Of discretion. Gov. RAMSEY has caused
TO be circulated daily through the columns
II his paper here and through Republican
papers elsewhere, the foulest ISLANDERS against
his successful competitor which envy could
invent or malignity utter.
We were a, first slow TO believe tina, Gov.
RAMSEY was responsible for, or countenanosd
the abusive and libelous course pursued by
the NEno'oiian. We prekrred to save the
Governors honor by attribu,irg ii 10 the
native Qulpishness OF the editor. Buteircum-
stances traDspiriug elsewhere compelled Us
TO change our opinion. and to charge directly
upon himself the infAmy which belongs to