The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-03-13

Correspondence Of the Chicago Tribune
General Shields for LecOmptOn-ninne-
sofa to be Amitted-The Price of the
Treason 30 MISUNDERSTANDING to Obey
Instructions.
-. n WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.
1t is said that Rice, Shields, and the mem
bers returned as elected from Minnesota, have
compounded with the Lecompton chivalry
for their admission without delay. They are
to swell the ranks of the Border Ruffians on
all test vOtes-not only upon Lecompton, but
upon Cuba and the Army Bill.
1t is alleged that Rice came into this scheme
soon after arriving here, but that Shields held
out from the sternness of his principles and
the purity Of his character. He "caved in, ~
as reported, last Saturday, giving as reason
that Douglas and Lecompton might be dam
ned, adding that he had sacrificed himself Tor
Douglas once and should not do so again.
This was patriotic, personal, and practical IN
Shields There is no getting over such argu-
ments. 1t is feared that it will be difficult to
make Rice stick after buying him. This O.
pinon seems founded upon the treatment OF
those loby members who helped Rice through
with the Minnesota Railroad, two years ago.
The contracts were made in the name OF the
delegate and his brother, dward Rice, and
have not been fulfilled in short, they have
been repudiated. Perhaps this was right, on
the principle that no faith is to be kept with
rOgues.
The rascalities of the Democratic COnsti-
tutional Convention in Minnesota, and the
State election there, are excepting only those
.t X inf0 nprn1fr9.
ted in this or any other conntry. The man
ufacture of votes, and the suppression of real
and legal ones, was bold and shameless. One
precinct which gave IL Republican and 2
Democratic votes, were returned as giving
lS3 Democratic majority. Medary admits
that the fraud was palpable on the face OF
the returns, but he could not go behind them.
Suppose the forgery had elected the Repub-
lcan ticket, would he have gone behind the
returns
Between three and four thousand Republ.-
can votes were rejected because not duly re-
corded by the registers Of deeds-whle all
the fictitious votes were so recorded. Gov.
Ramsey intends to bring his case before the
Supreme Court of the State, and will contest
Sih,ey's election. Mr.. Ramsey's majority was
over 500 votes but as the judges of the
Court were elected by the same votes as
have been counted for Sibley, it follows that
they decide against Gov. Ramsey as matter
of course.
! Nobody thinks of admitting Oregon, ard
do not believe she will get in during this con-
test. Had Minnesota and Oregon been slave
States, they would have been declared ad-
mit;ed under tie enabling acts, and do not
doubt that they are now as much States oil
/ the Union as Virginia or Illinois Oregon
however, will not choose Senators until after
! formal admission by subsequent act.
There was fine debate on the instructions
from Tennessee, directing Senator Bell to vote
for LecomptoD. He respectfully refuses, and
gives the best of reasons namely, that his
course is approved by the people of Tenne
see. While other gentlemen we're defining
positions Douglas plaintively asked if he had
been read out of the party, and where he
was 10 go2
Instructions to Senators is a Democratic
doctrine, and it has been run into the ground
1t was one of Benton's humbugs, and was in
vented to get Senators out of their seats fol
the purpose of passing the expunging resolu
tions. Tyler and VIM. c. Rives were in
structed out of their seats. Garrett d. Wall
of New Jersey, was a redmouthed brawle
for the rights of instruction but when hi
own Legislature instructed him, Garrett say
cd his bacon by declaring that Legislatures
who did not themselves acknowledge thu
light of instruction could not instruct Sena
tors who did. Afterwards, Old Bullion wa
himself instructed, and he refused himself to
obey under the pretence that the people
would reverse the instructions. but they die
not, and Bullion was rotated. Douglas wa
also instructed to vote for the Wilmot Pro
viso, and did so, under protest. Gen. Cas-
was instructed in the same way, but Ol'
Quintuple pulled and blOwed, and twisted
aud wrthed, but disobeyed and kept his seat
Toucey in the last Congress and Jones il
this have received and obeyed inst' uctions
No single Democrat but Douglas has " obey
ed or resigned Houston of Texas, be
lieye, intends to obey, and vote for Lecomp
ton-though why he should is inconceivab
since he has lost his seat by opposing exactl.
such schemes.
The Kansas Investigating Committee hell
third meeting last night. Letcher, of Va
was absent, and nothing could be dore, be
cause the vote on all propositions stood sev
en- to seven. 1t will now be for Harris to re
deem his pledge, and bring the subject befor
the House for its action. If he means any
thing, or has meant anything from the be
ginning, let hun now present the record c
the Committee, and demand six additions
members, so as to represent all parties in tn
House. l.. t them be chosen by the HOus
f by ballot or by resolution. The designate
members should be three Republicans on
Anti-Lecompton Democrat, and two hber;
South Americans. This would give clea
and safe majority for investigation.
JUNIUs.