Weekly Minnesotian and times., 1859-12-24

y
plus Of worlds gear still on hand.
In the beginning Of the year 1858, the law
partnership of which he was member, was
extended so us to embrace JOHN B. BRIsBIN,
and the firm became WILKINSON, BABcOcK Il
BRIsBIN, and was recognized in the business
relations Of the community as chief law as
sociation of St. Paul-one Of the strongest in
Minnesota.
This partnership confined until in the Spring
Of '55, when it was changed, by the secession
of Mr. BRlsBIN, back again under the old style
of WILLIAMSON Il BABCocK.
In the Spring Of 1856, the first steps were
taken in Minnesota to organize the present
Republican Party. From the beginning, Mr..
WILKINSON cordially sympathized with the
new movement. Though an old line Wing,
he was then Wing of the SEWARD School,
just as the Pioneer says he is now "Repub-
lican of the SEWARD School" Like tens Of
thousands Of old Wings, he had long perceived
that the party Of HENRY CLAY and JonN O.
ADAMS had degenerated, like the Democratic
Party, into merely convenience for the Slave
holders Ofthe South and he hailed with sat
isfaction the inauguration of new party,
based on the Anti-Slavery Extension Idea, to
take the place before the country Of both the
old, trucking, Pro-Slavery organization
He was accordingly highly spoken of before
the first Republican State Convention
which met at the Capitol in st. Paul, in that
year, for the nomination of Delegate to Con-
gress. He declined, however, but subsequent
ly gave his warm and earnest support to its
nominee, Mr.. WM. R. MARSHALL, in whose
behalf he stumped the Territory in the most
effective and telling manner.
During his absence, thus engaged, he re-
ceived the honorary nomination at st. Paul
as Republican candidate for the Territorial
Council; his Democratic opponent being
John B. BRIsBIN, his old partner; who was,
of course, elected; Ramsey County being then
the Democratic stronghold Of Minnesota.
In the Spring of 1856, the law firm in which
Mr. WILKINSON was engaged became WILKIN-
son, BABcocK and CoTToN, by the accession
of CHAs. S. CorToN, Esq, from the State of
Mississippi; but in the following Spring Of
1857, the firm was again changed by the re-
tiring from it of Mr.. WILKINSON, on account
of his having been chosen Attorney of the
Southern Minnesota Railroad Company: to
attend to the duties Of which position the more
conveniently, he removed to the hourishing
town of Hokah, on the Root river, in Houston
county, in the southern part of the State.
While thus residing at Hokah, the Republi-
can State Convention which met at ST. Paul,
early in Sept, 1857, duly nominated him as
one of its three candidates to represent the
new State of Minnesota in the House of Rep
resentatives of the Congress of the United
States.
In the active canvass that followed, Mr..
WILKINSON stumped the entire State; and at
the election, it was found that he had run con-
siderable ahead of his colleagues on the Con-
gressional ticket. Though he was, no doubt,
chosen by the fair and honest votes of the
people, he did not obtain his certificate of elec-
tion-on account Of the scoundrelly canvass
made by SAMUEL MEDARY and JOSEPH R.
Brown, the Democratic majority of the State
Canvassing Board-who boldly ,counted in
against him and his colleagues, several hun
dred Democratic majority upon the evidence
of forged election returns, s,-Medary, all the
WHILE declaring he knew they were ID
forgeries!'
In the winter of 1S57-5S, Mr. WILKINSON
having been deprived of his position as Attor-
ney for the Southern Minnesota Railroad Co.
through change in its Directory, was COM
PEELED again to look around for location
wherein he could support himself and family
by his profession-the expenses of the election
campaign, &C., having swallowed up whatever
little overplus Of means his ten years terrific
rial labors at his profession had given him.
He finally removed, in the Spring of 1858,
to Mankuto, Blue Earth county, on the Min
nesota river, in extreme Southwestern Min
nesota.
Here he Immediately entered upon large
and lucrative law business.
When the Republican State Convention
met at St. Paul, in July last, 1882 bis name
was by many again associated with nomina-
ton for Representative in Congress. He was
not present himself at the Convention, but
his friends took the responsibility of with
drawing his name from connection with that
position, with the avowed intention, however,
Of urging him upon the Republican party for
the United States Senatorship,in case the Re-
publicans obtained majority in the legisla-
ture about to be elected.
They did obtain such majority, and-in
the sonorous language of Mr.. Speaker CoGes-
WELL" MORTON S. WILKINSON is chosen to
represent the State of Minnesota in the Sem
ate of the United States, for six years from
the 4th of March, 1862"
Now, word or two, to our friends of the
Pioneer and Democrat. They need give
themselves no trouble that Mr.. WILKINSON s
"extreme fanaticism" will in the least degree
"destroy his influence in Washington, for
the accomplishment of beneficial State and To-
cal objects" In this language, sticking out
plainly, we discover the old and disgraceful
whine, the same which Gen. SHIELDS was so
fond of grunting out, and which, with tears in
his aged eyes, he faltered out at meeting in
Minneapolis, just before the last election.
"Yes"-boo-hoo-ed he yes, if you make
Minnesota black Republican State-South-
ern gentlemen won't come up here in the sum-
mer months with their families and their
servants,'-you'n lose-you surely will
the benefit Of their money, so freely expended
at your hotels, s,-and then, o, then, Minnesota
is truly gonsr! %
In imitation of this military jeremiah, the
Pioneer takes up the same species oflamenta-
tion-in the meantime, during the moan, in
the agony of his grief, a tear will be seen
trickling along the Earle's delicate nose to its