Weekly Minnesotian and times., 1859-12-17

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Osn0unacation from Hon. WIN. =.
Marshan ON the United Seates Senator
Question.
To tie Editors ofAs Asnassostan.
Every man who believes that it is the mis-
sion of the Republican party, to restore the
National Government to its original purity
to the principles and policy of its founders,
whose object it was ito establish justice .
cannot but regard with the deepest interest
the election of United States Senator
That Senator is to serve in the august Ameri-
can Senate the long period Of six years. He
is to stand there the peer in all privileges and
powers of Senators of the oldest, most popu-
lous and wealthy States. In that chamber
all the States are equal each has two Sena-
tors. Our Senator, reAecting the sentiments
of this people, will be called upon to speak
and vote on the most momentous questions of
national policy: and affecting our own State
chiefly as they shall affect for veal or woe
our common country.
AU mast agree that the choice should be de-
termined By the eminent fitness Of the man for
the high position. 1t cannot be doubted, that
such choice should be uninhuenced by con-
siderations of local and temporary nature
An apprehension that those who have the i'm
mediate responsibility of electing SENATOR'S
sought to be influenced by such considera-
tons, to the injury of the public good, moves
me to speak in behalf of one who, a few
months ago, was designated with singular u
nanimity, both by the press and in private,as
the fittest man for Senator. I refer to
John W. North.
now avow the belief that no man named
for Senator, possesses more emf
nent qualifications for the Office, than Mr..
North. And the belief is confirmed by the
almost invariable reply made to its avowal,by
those who dissent from the conclusion that he
ought to be chosen, namely, that he is the
man above all others but for his unfortunate
with the railroad company, and
the experiment of banking on State railroad
bonds. I am glad to meet such acknowledge
ment of Mr.. North's qualifications for the po-
sition, even-though the disparaging statement
follow, which in the minds Of many,is thought
to be conclusive against him.
From an intimate knowledge of the entire
history of Mr.. North's connection with the
and State bonds, know that there
is nothing in that history that should prevent
any true and conscientious Republican from
giving him his vote.
That history is briefly told. Mr.. North's
high character for business enterprise and in
tegrity had placed him in the Presidency Of
ons of the Railroad companies-a company
whose character was without reproach. When
the question of loaning the State credit to the
companies was presented, Mr.. North, IN the
exercise ofa sound judgment, opposed and 90
ted against the loan. And when the amend
ment to the constitution was adopted by such
an overwhelming majority of the people, it
was not until after weeks of deliberation, that
Mr.. North and his co-directors decided to &C
cept its proffered benefits. Once accepted,
he worked zealously and laboriously to realize
to his road, and through his road to the State
its greatest possible advantages.
His error was in accepting the measure at
all his superior judgment was shown in hesi-
tating to accept it, when other companies were
jubilant at its adoption, and the people were
delirious with anticipated blessings to flow
from it.
In regard to the sale of bonds made by Mr..
North to Mr.. Pease, and the affidavit verify
ing the same, upon which so much stress is
now Lads, every man who desires to know
the truth can satisfy himself that the sale aoas
bona tide, and aoithout any stipulation that
soas to be made in the particular cur
rency issued on the bonds On the contrary,
it is we'll known in St. Paul, that Mr.. Pease
paid large proportion in exchange on New
York. Yet misrepresentation, or to be char
liable, misapprehensions-of the facts respect
ing this transaction have been persisted in,
as though it were virtue to be blind to the
truth.
1t is also true that Mr.. Pease was at the
head of banking house, at that time, enjoy
ing the fullest confidence of the public and
having connection with eastern capitalists,
giving it probably the largest money facilities
of any exchange Office in St. Paul.
The disastrous results of this sale of bonds
has shown the unwisdom Of it, but at the
time, when the circumstances were fully un-
derstood, there were few, if any, of the best
and wisest ofour citizens who did not regard
it as necessity. Work had been begun on
the roads, and destitute operatives and neces.
sitous creditors were clamoring for pay. It
was plausibly reasoned that but for the de-
probation Of the bonds by our own citizens
they would have sold in the East, and that
giving them credit at home, would establish q
market value abroad, which would at once
relieve all embarrassment.
1t seems to be the impression that this sale
to Mr.. Pease initiated the business of bank
ing on State railroad bonds. Nothing is far
ther from the truth. The bonds had been re-
ceived by the Auditor and Governor many
months before. Irefer to the case of the Ex-
change Bank of Glencoe, which had been in
successful operation at least six months, SEEM
ingly demonstrating the practicability of bank
ing upon the bonds.
If, as is so generally conceded, Mr.. North
is best qualified to represent US. save on ac-
count of these things, surely there is nothing
here that seriously detracts from such quail
fication. If any immortality, corruption or
wilful disregard of the best interests of the
State can be shown in this history, then he
is not the man. Otherwise, these questions
which are raised against him are purely local
and transient and should have no influence in
the Senatorial election.
have been impelled by sense of duty to