Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1859-06-11
From the Mantoryille Express.
Candidate for Governor.
ST. PAUL, May 20, 1859.

The Republican State Convention is called
and the attention of the Party is necessarily
somewhat directed to the candidates connect
ed herewith. 1t is right it should be.
AS you requested, | have made Inquiries
into the opinions olleading Republicans in this
vicinity Of the State, in regard to the cand
dacy for Governor. have talked with lead
ing ones of Farribault, this City, st. Antho-
ny, Minneapolis and other localities, and find
a very general unanimity of opinion. 1t is
that Ex-Governor Ramsey should be re-nom-
mated. There are many other men who oc-
cupy high positions in the esteem of the Far
ty, and prominent among them is John w.
North, for whom the people ia your part of
the State are so partial but just now, under
all the exigencies, Gov Ramsey seems pre-
eminent above all others, for the nomination.
Minnesota occupies particular attitude
inst now. 1t is widely understood that upon
its vote depends the balance of power in the
House OF Representatives of the next Con-
gress. 1t is, therefore, the duty of the Party,
in making its State nominations, to use all
just means to give strength throughout the
State, so as not to jeopardize, in any degree,
the chance of any Congressional candidate
The nominee for Governor, therefore, should
be the most popular among all classes, and
the least vulnerable upon special points.
Gov. Ramsey seems to be that man. He
may not be the most popular among some
classes of earnest Republicans, but he may
have the fewest points of character and his
tory liable to special attack. =
He has once occupied the position of Gov
ernor, and performed its duties with such
fidelity as 10 gain honorable eclat thereby;
and he has carried with him into private life
the popularity and influence thus gained.
And the prestige of antecedent popular sue
cess is no small power to bring to an exciting
contest. lie is emincntly conservative, with
an exceedingly popular dignity of manners,
and all shades Of the Party can vote for him
without doing violence to any peculiar preu-
dice
say all shades of Republicans, because l
do not wish to blink the fact that the Rcpub-
lican Party is a congLomerate (-the Pro-
Slavery Democracy takes peculiar pleasure
in applying that word, and am willing to
crafty them by accepting it, of many other
antecedent parties. 1t is composed of few
old Silver Gray Wings, who are the most con-
servatve, and of the sternest integrity, but
have no real affinity with progressive radical
| ism, and are Republicans, not because of af-
filiation with the leading Republican princi-
so-called Democracy, because of the crcum-
stances which have drifted them where they
are, and because Of their irrepressible hatred
of the frauds and corruptions of the mis- nam
ed Democratic Party of the Liberal Wings,
who recognize Senator Seward as distinctive
leader, and who, on the dissolution of the Old
Wing Party, naturally came into the Republi-
can organization, because they affiliate with it
| fhor with opv othor oroo tio,, hoy
vitality, and because they are honest, hearty
anti-slavery men; of the old line Barnburner,
or Progressive Democrats, whose instincts are
all generous and progressive, and who were
the first to organize the Free Soil party of
the Conscience W higs and Independent Dem
ocrats of 1916, who, when the Slave Oligarchy
sought to crush John p. Hale, left their Or
ganization, and rallied under the Cause OF
Freedom; and of the Old Liberty Party men,
who, though fewcst in numbers, are really the
salt of the Republican Party-the fast ancho.
rage to keepit from drifting from the HEAVIER,
: to which it is going. And these various ele.
ments, bound together in their hearty oppo
stion to the Slave Propaganda, will combine
with more unity, and will draw more floating
voters who do not know where they belong
with them, upon man of the conservative
popularity of Gov. Ramsey, than upon rad
, ical man like Mr.. North,
, To the most jealous abolition and temper
ance ingredients of the Party, undoubtedly
Mr.. North would be the most acceptable. HI
is both able and honest and is truly repre-
sentative man, and the party, for its owl
sake, should put him in a representative po
sition. But his very earnestness in behalf o
free suffrage and temperance makes him spe
cially vulnerable to attacks which would driv,
away great many votes which would other
5 wise be cast for Republicans.
: Not that Gov. Ramsey is untrue to the an
ti-slavcry spirit of the Party, he will not be
e tray its platform in the least; but he is no
: so radical, and therefore not so obnoxious t
r certain classes of voters, whose help we need
8 and who are ready to help us, if we do no
e drive them from us unnecessarily. He woui'
e not encounter so strongly the opposition Q
e the prejudices against Negro Suffrage and
e Prohibtory Law and while these measure
commend themselves to large numbers, an
), those among the most enthusiastic and stead
), fast of the Party-those who work for princ1
If piles and not for spoil-still the great object
d the Republican Party now is to secure tn
g National Government against the rule of tn
y Slave Oligarchy; and therefore, it is not rigt
d nor wise to arouse the antagonism engendere
h by what, in this view, may Justly be consit
is cred side issues.