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

after the announcement Of the Board Of
Canvassers, Gov. RAMSEY visited the East.
At Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and
other places where he visited, his arrival and
stay were duly announced by the Republi-
can papers. Accompanying each announce
ment were circumstantial statements, SINH
lar in character and falsity with those which
appeared in his local organ and showing,
with disipgenuOusness quite uncommon to
him, his direct connection with the libels
with which they teemed. Gov. RAMSEY
sustained on this trip q character which
should, of itself, disgrace him. He acted
throughout, the part Of an impostor; not Of
that class who gain certain degree OF re-
spect by the ingenuity and boldness Of their
impositions, but OF that meaner class to
whom reverse is fortune who, being
simply unsuccessful, ape the air, while they
lack the manliness, of the martyr; who
charge defeats upon prosecutions, and attri-
butte misfortunes TO crimes; and who,
through the defamation OF their successful
competitors, seek TO create sympathy while
they crafty revenge.
10 contrast to the course pursued by Gov.
RAMSEY, the action of Gov. SHELLEY has
been manly and honorable. With higher
sense Of personal dignity, he would not drag
himself or his office down to the level of
street or newspaper controversy. He could
not, however, be unconcerned amid the
charges which were made against him, either
for his own reputation, or for the character
oil his party and the State. He accordingly
took notice Of them on the first occasion
that presented itself, in terms which, while
they reveal sensitiveness inseparable from
every man Of honorable instincts, reveal also
a readiness to award to his competitor every
right to which he is legally entitled, and
which he can legally claim. In his inaugu-
raj address, Gov. STBLEY alluded TO SLAM
der uttered on tie floor Of Congress, in the
following language:
Hon. JOHN SHERMAN, a member Of Congress
from Ohio, took occasion in speech made by
him in the House of Representatives in Opposi-
ton to the bill for the admission OF Minnesota,
most falsely to accuse the Governor elect, by
name, with being participant in election
frauds committed by the Democratic party, as
alleged by him, grave charge, for the truth OF
which, when questioned, he could give no bet
tara uth npifv han ha sarfi nf
lous partizan prints So long rs such an accu-
sation was confined to the columns Of party
newspapers, known to be utterly unworthy Of
credit, they merited no attention from me. but
when uttered upon the floor Of Congress, and
made part of its records, owe it no less to
the honor Of the State. than to my own person
al honor. TO denOunce it as basely calumnious
and without the shadow Of foundation. II
frauds or irregularities were perpstrated by
either or both Of the political parties in the
election Of State officers, they were entirely
unknown to me, and had neither my consent
nor cOuntensnce. God knows that am not so
welded to Office, as to accept any position at
the expense Of the purity Of the ballot box.
hare hitherto invited, Roc invite, the sttcfssf
judicial ,nvestigaftOn INTO the facts Of the case:
for. if not legally elected Governor Of the State
Of Minnesota, | would scorn to fill that station
for single hour.
Three weeks have elapsed since Gov. SIB-
LEY thus formally invited Gov. RAMSEY to
test in the most solemn manner, and by the
only satisfactory and conclusive means, the
legal right to the Office which he holds, and
to which the latter claims himself entitled.
This invitation has thus far met with no re-
spouse from Gov. RAMSEY, except by con-
tinuance of the vi;uperative abuse which,
during months together, has filled the col.
umDs Of his home organ, the W,nnesottdn.
Upon this state of facts. GOV. RAMSEY viii,
perhaps, pardon US for suggesting, that his
repeated assertion Of rights TO the Governor
ship, followed By no legitimate efforts to
establish them; that his slanderous depreci-
alton Of man who is his equal in every
mental attribute, and his superior in every
moral cannot fail, "a, last, to impress the
the people with the belief, which we now en-
terrain, that he is seeking through the blast
ed reputation OF another to create sympathy
for himself, on grounds which are baseless
and which viii 10; bear the test of judicial
scrutiny We suggest TO him that no repu-
tation, however high. and no fame, however
sacred, whose poSsessor pursues the course
which he has begun, can save him from the
merited verdict OF the public condemnation.
The man who uses the weapons of an assas-
sin, cannot justly hope TO escape the assas-
sins infamy.