Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-11-20
Letter from Washin. tOn.- IL citation In
Office Among MtnnesOtians.

To the Editors of the Minnesotian:
The rotating machine has had turn or two
lately, which, did delicacy for the feelings of
some respectable men not forbid me telling
the entire story, would afford me amusement.
Sibley has sent his right hand bower-the
moseological man-to Washington, nominally
as a Clerk in place provided by Rice to graf
ify Sibley, but actually, of course, the diplo-
matte agent of Sibley, near the Court of Bu-
chanan. 1 suppose this was the brightest
specimen of humanity the distinguished Gov
ernor could rake up, and indeed think the
master and man are well matched.
1t is singular fact, and subject of exten-
sive comment, that our Democratic leaders
are unable toget gentlemen of character, edu-
cation and ability, such as would reflect dig
nignity, confidence and respect upon their
government, to unite with them in its man.
agement. Such men shrink from Sibley, and
stand aloof from Rice. Have the Democrats
by fraud, violence and vulgarity run the name
of Office holder so low that it is positively dis
reputable to fill them?-or does the odium at
tach only to the present incumbents? Ger
tain it is, our best men have all withdrawn
from public places, and left the field open to
the havoc of such, whose conscience knows
no reproof-whose audacity no shame.
Then, look at our delegation in Congress.
With the marked exception of Shields, not
one of them but is Of the most ordinary cast of
mind Rice has a position here, but it is as
trickster in accumulatng wealth; town lot
huckster, and contract man; but the remain
der of the delegation amount to nothing either
for good or evil: I would say no harm of
them they are innocent, with negative quail
ties; are entirely harmless, and will perhaps
serve our State by Nos Yes's as well as men
of more brilliant and positive party.
The rotation in office is part of a deeply
laid scheme by Rice. For the last five years
he has watched closely the rise of every cam
didate in Minnesota for political place. If the
Importance and independence of an Individual
was in any manner to be feared, Gnstance
Judge NelsOn) he was in some manner provi-
| ded for and taken out of the political arena
So far as possible they were inveigled to
Washington and encouraged with high-sound-
| ing promises for the future, but were at once
induced to be content with ptiful cerkship.
The poor, deluded victim, thus induced to
| abandon his position at home, soon found that,
like Faust in Mephistopheles, he now dare not
stop until he had bartered soul and body to his
master. His independence of thought and ac-
ton; his individuality; his character and conduct
are all bound to the service of petty tyr
| ant. The very tenure of his humble office, on
which depends his daily subsistence, he finds
a constant service of docility and self-abnega-
tion
This terrible ordeal by which the once indie
pendent citizen is transformed into cringing,
servile tool, to crouch trelnble and speak in
whispers before his naughty, arrogant super
iOr, one would suppose would at least conform
to the spiritless, dependent security of place,
if not the fulfllment of promises. But not SO.
A few years absence has broken up the mans
political connections at home and he is no
longer feared as factiOnist or partizan leader.
New men have taken his place, and thus his
power is destroyed; and his political patron,
Rice, knows him no more. But in the mean
time there are other dangerous characters who
must be provided for, and the former must
give way to the latter. Perhaps it is wicked
to laugh at long faces, but there is nothing far
cical in listening to the powerless denuncia-
tions of the out goers, against the man who
not long since, was almost dem-god; and
to see those going into place so full of the most
joyous glee and enduring hope. Henry the
VIII could at any moment stretch out his
hand and embrace happy, joyous bride, who
came cheerfully to his couch with the fate of
her predecessors staring her in the face. Many
poor fellow suffers the fate of Wolsey, who
retires in silence to brood over his wrongs and
curse the villain who first seduced him from
his home and then ruined him.
Of course the fate of these outgosrs or incom-
ers is nothing to US but it is gratifying to the
curious to raise the lid and see how the ma
chine works. You observe it is somewhat on
the tread-mill order. The champion for office
stalks forward boldly from duplicity to de-
pravity-from one depth to lower depth
and like St. Paul, verify believing he is doing
his master good service, until he is suddenly
unhorsed, and there he lies helpless and con-
founded. MINNEsorIus.