The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-02-03


vention to endorse Hon. 81. M. RICE, seems
to have affected that gentleman's special
organs in variety of ways. One paper
asserts that the resolution failed to pass
because it did not endorse the Senator's
political views another says the resolution
was killed because Gen. SHIELDS name was
coupled with that of the Senator and an
other says it failed because of the lateness of
the hour at which it was presented to the
Convention. Here are plenty of reasons,
but not the true one.
The sole reason the resolution did not
pass, was because majority of the Conven.
ton was determined that that body should
give no expression of sentiment which could,
by any possibility, be tortured into an en-
dorsement of Mr.. RIcE's political course,
since his election as Senator, and especially
into an approval Of his shameless apostasy
from the Democratic faith, involved in his
support of the Lecompton measures Of
course, the indifference manifested by the
Senator, in the canvass last fall, had some
influence upon the delegates but his barter
of principles for the sake of controlling the
spoils was the principal reason.
The resolution asserted nothing which
under ordinary circumstances, would have
been disapproved of by single Democrat
in the State. 1t merely thanked the Senator
for his zeal in advocating the interests of
Minnesota. But almost every delegate
present and voting, knew that its passage
would be heralded over every Geographic wire
in the Union, as an endorsement of the
political course of Mr.. RICE. 1t was
shrewd attempt at skullduggery, in which
the peculiar tactics of Maj. JOE BROWN
cropped out very prominently.
If the resolution had endorsed Mr.. RICE's
political career as Senator, it would simply
have received the votes of the Indian traders,
the land officers, post masters, and other
officials in the Convention. Not one man
in twenty of the Democracy of Minnesota
approves of Mr.. R1cE's course as Senator in
Congress and he will receive no endorses
ment at the hands of the Democratic party
of this State, until he purges himself of the
contempt he has latterly evinced for their
success and their principles.
AS to the allegation that the resolution
would have passed, had it not been for the
amendment endorsing Gen. SHIELDS op-
position to Presidential intimidation in
the Lecompton business, we have only to
say that the friends of Mr.. RICE could easily
have demonstrated the truth of this state
ment, by voting down the SHIELDS amend
ment-if they had the strength to do so.
This they lacked. Gen. SHIELDS did not
seek an endorsement, but Mr.. RICE did.
Gen. SHIELDS was amply endorsed, in being
the candidate of the Democracy for U. S.
Senator in December last, and that candi-
dacy was intended as special endorsement
for doing that which Mr.. RICE refused to
do.
We had hoped to have got through
with the remainder OF Mr.. RICEs Senatorial
term, without once censuring him but the
Senator's ill.advised friends seem determined
to expose him to attack, on all occasions.
They should remember that all politicians
are vulnerable, and that Mr.. RICE is neither
paragon of craftsmanship, learning, virtue,
nor, possibly, we regret to say, Of honesty.