The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-06-08
FIRST ARTICLE.

"uCu3 III OCOCmOCAS LOU, "NN"A AAA'
RICE, was elected by the Democracy to
represent the State of Minnesota in the
United States Senate, he was fully COM
mitted, by personal pledges as we'll as party
fealty, to the support of the principles of
Popular Sovereignty, pure and unde6led, as
they were enunciated in the Cincinnati plat.
form, as they were upheld by Judge DOUGLAS,
and as they were endorsed by the Democracy
of his own State. Not a Democrat in Min
nesota doubted, for moment, that he would
assume, in Washington, any other position,
than one in entire correspondence with that
SO fearlessly maintained by the distinguished
champion Of the rights of the people, in Ter
ritories as we'll as in States, and wherever
"the American flag waves over American
SOIL" Had such doubt existed, Senator
RICE would never have gained his present
title, nor would he ever have been known
in the politics of the State of Minnesota.
For, the Democracy Of Minnesota, in laying
down the basis for their action as State
organization, planted themselves upon the
principles of Popular Sovereignty, in terms
of clearness which admitted of no misappre-
hension, and of earnestness which tolerated
no violation. In the platform adopted by
the State Convention of September, 1857,
the Democracy of Minnesota resolved,
That the PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORIES,
through their Legislative Assemblies. and Con-
stitutional Conventions, SHALL HAVE, and
to LEGISLATE upon ALL domestic questions,
including THE RELATION OF MASTER AND
SERVANT.
This was the question of the campaign.
The bold advocacy Of this doctrine-advo
Gated by HENRY M. RICE, on the stump, as
we'll as by the other distinguished Demo
Gratis whose fortunes were at stake in its
result-together with the earnest sympathy
which was felt throughout the State for
STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS, decided the contest
in favor of the Democracy, and secured
the elevation of Mr.. RICE to the Senate.
He went to the Senate as the open
and avowed personal friend of Judge
DOUGLAS, and as his political sympa-
thizer. He could not have gone to the
Senate from this State upon any other
grounds. At the time of his election, the
Administration had already revealed its
treason to Popular Sovereignty, in changing
its whole policy in regard to Kansas, and
in degrading WALKER and STANTON from
Office for the crime of obeying the instruc-
tions with which they had been charged.
At that time, also, DOUGLAS had openly
taken his position in defence of the princi-
plesIwhich had thus been assaulted, and in
OPPOSITION to the treason which had been
perpetrated. The whole case was plainly
made up before the country. The Democ.
racy of Minnesota was firmly committed in
favor of the true doctrine, and against its
reasonable subversion. Mr.. RICE stood
frankly, and it was believed firmly, with the
Democracy Of the State. He went to
Washington holding these views. His pc.
sition there was fully understood. And so,
when the work of prescription by the Ad-
ministration was actively commenced, one
of the first blows was stricken at Mime
sofa. A gentleman recommended by Sena'
tors FITCH and BRIGHT, of Indiana, was
appointed to an Indian Agency in Mime
sofa, without the knowledge of Senator
RICE, and against his desire. The Senator
had recommended personal friend for the
same position. The Administration refused
to consider his claim, or even to treat the
Senator or his friend with common political
courtesy. The Senator knew that this con.
dition of things would not answer for him.
His political strength depended upon the
amount of political patronage under bis
control. He had built himself up on that
basis, and he knew of no other means by
which his home influence could be main.
tanned. Deprived of patronage he would
sink into insigni6cance. He preferred thu
possession of power to the support of prin.
ciple. So, he deserted the party Of biz
State, his principles, and his friends, and
"crooked the pregnant hinges of his knee
that thrift might follow fawning." And
thrift did follow. The federal patronage O
tho State was given undoubtedly into hi,