Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-10-09
From the Pioneer.
Letter from John h. BrisbiH, Esq.

Letter from John b. Brisbin, Esq.
ST. PAUL, Oct 9th, 1858.
| Editors Pioneer and Democrat:
My attention has been attracted to a series
of resolutions published in your issue OF this
morning, purpOrting to have been adopted at
Democratic meeting held at hite Bear
Town." on The 4th inst.
Although the object of the resolutions is
transparent, | am unwilling to be silent and
thereby Stem to acquiesce in the purposes Of
the meeting, or the sentiment Of the icsou-
tions.
The resolutions are pal pable and in some
degree an intentional Justification Of my pisi-
ton upon the Democratic ticket of the coun-
ty. On the day Of my nomination III reply
| to an Interrogation of MIR. Ross Wilkinson, |
stated that Was an anti Lecompton Demo
crat, and opposed to the present administra-
ton; that was tie fact, ard in view of the
omission of the nominating convention to
adopt platform OF principle, | should not
have signlfied my acceptance Of a nomination
which involves sacrifices off cling and interest,
had not been aware that my principles upon
the dividing issue in the Democratic party
were fully and generally known, ard that
was placed upon he ticket as all express en-
dOrsement of these principles.
On The Gay before the convention had its
session, 1t Was rumOred that my name would
be used in connection with the representative
ticket. Unwllli. g to encounter the sacrifices
involved in a nomination which had neither
attractions nor hODOrs for me, | addressed a
communication to leading member OF the
St Paul delegation, conveying my declenslOn
in advance. Alter he communication was
received, | was solicited by prominent gen
temen of the convention to revoke 1t Ind
suffer my name to be placed upon the ticket
and among other things it was inserted that
my nomination would be regarded as tri-
umph in favor of the principle to which was
known to be committed.
At the same interview il was represented
that the ticket agreed upon was composed of
Hon. w. A. German, Hon. VIM. Murray, Mr.
Patrick Nash, Henry j. Horn, Esq, Mr.. Won
Hamm myself, and blank to be filled with
some name as sort IF holocaust to the
shadow of the shade of what was cnce sup
posed to be Democratic Administration.
Upon these considerations and terms l con-
sented that my communication might be
withheld, mating, however, the condition that
mistakes.
The nominations were made differing in
some respects from the programme, but mas
much as the ticket was composed mainly of
gentlemen with whom cordially affiliate in
sentiment l have accepted the nomination,
and desire the success of the whole ticket.
The principles of an individual so humble
as myself are insignificant, but at this juno
ture they derive a Fictitious Importance which
may excuse what would, under other circum-
stances, be indicate and obtrusive.
am Democra. by birth, sentiment. and
upon conviction, and was never so proud Of
my antecedents as upon the Inauguration of
that great epoch in the history of the part,
which was illustrated and has become Illus
trious by the passage of the so-called Kansas
Nebraska bill. The doctrine o. that bill
commanded my approval as a Democrat and
as a LAWYER. Throughout all of the brave
and brilliant struggles Of the Representatives
man, which eventuated in the final passage Of
the bill and through the less marked bat no
less decisive efforts which supervened its pas
sage, and finally resulted in the authorize i've
adoption at Cincinnati Of the principles Of
Popular Sovereignty as enunciated, expound
ed, and defended by STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS,
as the distinctive LOgma of the Democratic
creed, [ have watched the career of Mr..
DOUGLAS with an interest which, without my
will has become elevated Tito admiration.
was present in the Senate Chamber at
the moment when yet fresh from the doubt
lul conflict which had elected Mr.. BUCHANAN,
he again sprang into tie arena in defence OF
the same great p inciple against tie on
slaughts Of a recueant administration, and
followed not the man but the exponeM down
TO tina, giandcst mbmaDt in the history of
tic American Senate, when lie left a sick bed
to enter his final protest against the niquity
which has conferred upon the obscure name
of English at once an immortality and o mo-
nopoly Of political iufamy.
was opposed to the English Bill 1t is in
consistent with the Democratic doctrine of
Popular Sovereignty, as promulgated at Gin
cinnati. 1t sought to impose constitution
upon the = ople Of Kansas under duress. 1t
makes no invrduOuS distinction in favor Of the
admission of Slave States, and finally 1t is the
cunningest programme which could have been
devised to per ctuate the vexed question If
Slavery agitation into the campaign # 1860,
and 10 dlsrnember the Democratic PARTY.
This sufficiently indicates the motives of
my opposition to the present administration,
an opposition which admits Of No compromise
because it involves question ofprinciple and
not of policy.
am also opposed to the administration in
selEdefence as an antLecompton Democrat,
and of consequence belonging to class which
whenever opportunity has offered, has been
prescribed and OstraciSed. l am opposed to
the administration because of its interference
with local politics as lust, ated III its efforts
to defeat MIR. douglas in Illinois, pending his
great struggle in that State.
OF that struggle, and the relations of the
administration Herewith, permit Inc to say
hat l believe Mr.. Douglas may say to the
administration as Diogenes once said when
he was informed that the people of Siropoe-
nett IN bad banlshed him: $50 tell the Sin
opoenetes that have banished them"
The above may smack of egotIsm but
l., re always supposed the dog was privileged
ia, at the moon, AMI the resolutions which
~ oay Id this communication seemed to
nav o".'L -"allenge "under which King,
convey the Ca die,
Benzonian, speak .. '.fu,I,, 1orrs
Very respec. ;, r Rs,sn,x
GA Poor Kule,'' DC.