Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1859-06-11
0 Tests for Omce.,s

"Tests for ONCE" |:
Yesterday We copied from the Mantorvliie
dodge County, Erpress, correspondence
upon the Candidate for Governor" The
editor of the Epress takes exception to the
correspondence, not so much upon any indl-
vidual opinions it contains, as upon what he
fancies the prescription of certain classes OF
Republicans, and undue "Tests for Office"
The time of the Republican State Conven-
ton is rapidly approaching and the Republl-
can politicians and press of the State are man
ifesting proper appreciation Of the Importance
of the event by beginning an earnest, candid,
thoroug :, friendly discussion OF the general
subject of candidates. We are glad to see
the spirit they manifest. So long as numer-
Gus and various different gentlemen, OF ability
and sterling worth, from all parts Of the State,
are zealouslv named for the various offices to
be filled at the election next FALL by the par
tialitv of their friends, and all done, as it has |
been thus far, with friendly difference to the |
general good of the cause-each one desiring |
the success of some particular friend, but
cheerfully willing to yield to the wiser choice
of the Convention-good, and only good can
come from the discussion. In this spirit the
MISNEsorIAN joins its Republican brethren,
and holds it to be not only right but judiciousto to
suggest names, and canvass the reasons for and
against the policy Of certain nominations
And whenever it shall deem it proper and nec-
essary, this paper will not hesitate in its pref
erence, if it have any, of the names which
may be proposed for State offices. In the
meantime it cordially invites the free express
sions of it's brethren, and will disseminate
through its circulation the suggestions oi
which it learns. And in pursuance Of this
DESIRE we quote the following from the demur-
rer Of the Express, which appeared under the
caption at the head of this article:
In another column will be found an article from
a correspondent who has recently located at ST.
Paul.
We have heretofore expressed our partiality for
Mr.. North, but at the same time have no DISPOSE
ton to oppose the nomination OF MIR. Ramsey; but
we do wish to record our most decided protest
against discsrding Mr.. North. on account Of his
anti slavery principles or temperance sentiments.
The mission of the Republican party Is, not to
interfere with slavery where it exists, but to re-
strict il to its present limits and to relieve the
general government and the free States from the
Responsibility, and the odum, and the crime OF up,
holding it, The hope and prayer OF every man
who is worthy of the name of Republican is that
this accursed oppression may soon cease in every
State of the Union.
The people of America have great heart within
them which throbs strong for justice and for
right. They revolt at being any longer made the
instruments of this monster oppression. Every
sense Of humanity and justice, as well as every
motive of interested policy, urges them to support
m of believe
this to be So if we believed these measures were
supported by the masses who have declared so de-
cidedly in their favor, only for reasons Of selfish
interest We should despair OF any great reform be-
ing effected by it. The foundation of any great party
must be the LIVING AND ETERNAL PRINCIPLES OF
TRUTH AND RIGHT. We believe the time is past
when it is necessary in the Republican party, thai
a man should be td6ooed because he hates oppres
sion and dares to speak out against slavery. We
believe the cause of freedom has been injured by
the suppression, by Republican journals and Re
publican leaders, of the honest expression Of the
real feelings.
1t is proper to state, what doubtless will b'
generally supposed, from the identity of initia
signature, that the correspondent of the Er
press and the writer hereof, to whose care the
MINNEsorIAN is committed, in the present alb
sence of its editors, are one and the same in
dividual. And it is also proper to state tha
that correspondence was written in obedienc,
to previous request, and not from any specia
personal prompting. 1t expresses, not the in
dividual opinions and arguments of the writer
for he is personally a stranger to the gentle
men named, almost entirely a stranger to any
special antecedents Of any of the prOminen
Republicans of the State, and therefore feels
incompetent to form any individual opinions
and besides even if conversations which ht
hears should lead to the formation of definite
opinions, it would not become him, on so sligh
knowledge as he has to venture on their expires
sion; but it expresses the opinions of numer
Gus gentlemen of the party, in various localities
from St. Cloud to Elliota whom he has had tn,
pleasure of meeting during the last two months
But to the Express.
None wish to "dischard Mr.. NORTH or
account of his anti-slavery principles or tenn.
perance sentiments" nor Ondny other account
The Express therein creates an issue and dis
torts the correspondence. The well-knowr
anti-savery principles Of Mr.. NORTH are tn,
gem and very quintessencc of his Republican
ism: his ability, integrity, and general wortl
arc the auxiliaries which give him GREATNESS
and popularity. But is not AntSlavery ON
thing, and Negro Equality and Prohbi,or,
Law quite different and other things: Tn
Express itself says " the mission Of the Re
publican party is not to interfere with SLAYER
where it is, but to restrict it to its present lin
its, and to relieve the Government and Fro
States from the crime of upholding it." l
not that, according to its own showing, quit
another thing from Negro Suffrage and TEN
perance Coercion?
Is the Express in favor of a party, as al
instrument to advance the cause of human
amelioration? If so, must not that party b
organized to support some one general, lead
ing, great principle, which meets the approva