Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-11-20

The Democratic organ of St. Anthony, the
Erpress has an article of comment upon what
it terms the Pi0neer's "half column of abuse"
which it says is the more copardly and pen-
ona0us as coming from one processing the garb
of friendship:
Hon. II. M. RICE.-The Pioneer of the 18th
inst, contains bitter personal attack on SEN
atOr Rice, the pretext for which is so far
fetched, and SO foreign to the use made of it
aninaus of the article referred to in our cotem-
porary. 1t would seem that some writer for
the Henderson Democrat had chosen to name
Mr.. Rice as fit nomination for the Vice
Presidency in 1860 1t is not pretended that
Mr.. Rice himself desires to be a candidate
nor that any of his friends have named him
for that office. The article referred to is only
the expression of private individuals opin-
ion for which Mr.. Rice is not more response
BILE than for the street talk of any of his &C
seizes upon it as the basis of half column
Of abuse, the more cowardly and venomOus,
as coming from .One processing the garb Of
friendship.
The method and spirit of the attack upon
from quotation from the article referred to.
1t says:
"It is not, therefore, the Office of friend
ship to place his name before the public for a
position to which he cannot reasonably aspire,
and which, if he did, would yield him only
the bitter fruits of disappointment and morti-
fication.
at cannot be assumed that, because we
do pofo a. -, d. -
ton, we are, therefore, inimical to the future
success of Senator Rice. Such an assump-
ton would be grossly unjust. Within the
range 2f has CAPACITY, and within the scope
of his actual or possible influence, no journal
would more cheerfully commend him for all
righteous deeds, or more cheerfully aid him
in all legitimate aspirations. When more
than this is done by any paper, nothing less
than injury can result to him; and the injury
is in no degree mitigated by the fact that it is
committed at the instance of friendly and
generous motive. Mr.. Rice is a valuable man
to Minnesota as its representative in the Sen
ate. 1t should be the desire of all Minneso-
tians to sustain his efficiency by giving him
cheerful support, and by enlareing his repu-
tation to it's utmost bearable limits; and not
by forcing his aspirations beyond the range
of his poaoers and his merits to make him a
subject of ridicule, and thus impair his inhu,
| ence in his present honorable and responsible
position.
Now we are not aware that Mr. Rice ever
| dreamed of becoming candidate for the Vice
Presidency. Every one who is acquainted
with him at least knows perfectly we'll, that
he would never suffer his name to be present
ed for that, or any other National position
unless at the wish of the Democratic party
| legtimately expressed. And when it appears
that Mr.. Rice, either personally or through
the influence of responsible friends, has beer
endeavoring to thrust himself forward to oc
cupy such position, it will be ample time fol
the Pioneer to state that the position of Vice
President would yield him only the bittel
fruits of disappointment and modification,
or that the position is "beyond the range o
his powers and his merits
The remarks of the Pioneer are no less un
called for than untrue in point of fact, ever
allowing it to be true, Gas the Pioneer woult
fain have it appear) that Senator Rice was
candidate for the Vice Presidency. For wer
he to be chosen TO that position we hesitat
not to say that his abilities are amply com
mensurate with the duties of the station. N
man, during the last quarter of century a
least, has discharged the duties of the offic
with more distinguished success, than Senate
Rice is capable Of doing. And surely, so ia
as the people of Minnesota are concerned
they might well be proud to see their favorit
Representative occupy so honorable and re
spOnsible position.
AS our readers are well aware, we do no
agree with Mr. Rico il" ille yYsition l,e hoo ess
they for moment undstand us as advocating
the claims of Mr.. Rice for the position abov
named. But we deprecate all such cover
attacks as that in the Pioneer upon so warm
long g-tried, and efficient friend to Minnesot
as has been Mr.. Rice. However much hon
sentiment they will not fail to recognize hi
distinguished services to the State, nor hesi
tate to acknowledge his eminent ability. Th
most Of the Republicans even, are ready t,
accord to him this simple justice-much NOR,
might it be expected of protessed politica
friends.
But we are not surprised at the cours,
adopted by the Pioneer. In its bitter an(
vindictive attacks upon the Administration
the past few months, has been furnished tn,
most ample proof of its total disregard for tn,
interests of the Democracy in Minnesota, ant
a studied effort to destroy the unity of tn,
party. 1t has daily furnished laid and com
fort to the enemy, nor is there single Re
publican sheet in Minnesota, which has so ef
lectually labored for the defeat of the Democ
racy in the State as the Pioneer And in thu
artful and covert assault above referred to Oh
our most faithful and efficient Senator, it is
but carrying out its cherished maxim of 'rult
or ruin"