The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-11-22
From the Press, Nov. 18th.
Why Hadley Was Appointed Major and
Why Bennett Was Not.

| indisputably the essential requirements.
As the Pioneer has undertaken to represent
the remonstrants against Hadley's appoint
ment, it is fair to presume that it favors the
| pretensions of the rival asprant who instigat'
| ed the remonstrance and whose name heads
| the list of signatures.
Let US examine the credentials of these gen.
| tlemen, and see in what degree they respec-
lively conform to the requirements we have
named.
Major Hadley was appointed upon the ur-
| gent Recommendation of the people of Steele
county and Others because he was q gentle
man Of intelligence, high character and civil
ability, who, though without military expe.
rience, had manifested warm and zeal
GUS military spirit in energetic efforts through
out his section of the State to fill the ranks of
the army; (2) because his patriotic ardOr and
loyalty was undoubted (3) because while the
district OF the State to which he belongs had
contributed largely to the ranks, it was un-
represented among the field officers, and all,
other things being equal, was entitled to snch
an appointment; a. because no other of the
rival candidates possessed, SO far as known,
superior military qualifications, against whom
there were not fatal objections.
Captain Bennett was one Of the latter class.
This gentleman had seen some service as an
officer in Mexico, and might be presumed to
possess better military qualifications than Had.
ley. If in all other respects he had proved
proper person for the position, it would not
have weighed against him that another field
officer had been previously appointed from the
same locality.
He was not appointed, however, ~ because
in these days, when rebel spies in federal uni
forms swarm in every camp--and even at the
Headquarters of Departmental was not
deemed expedient to invest with high military
Office gentleman, to whom, upon the testi.
mony OF his neighbors--intimately acquainted
with his OpiniOns-there was attached strong
suspicion of dislOyalty to the government and
who, it was in evidence upon unlmpeachable
autbority...had gone SO far as to threaten. on
the breaking out of the war, that he would
raise regiment in Fillmore county to aid the
rebellion; and % because he had done nothing
in the mean time to purge himself of this dam.
aging suspicion.
Four-ifths of the commissioned officers
of the Third Regiment have deposited in
the archives of the Executive department
of this State their opinion of Major HAD
LEY, and of his unftness for the Office to
which be was commissioned and have
caused their opinion, 10 the form of pro.
test, to go before the people through the
columns of the public press. Their opinion,
deliberately conceived and expressed, in our
Judgment, covers the case with him, and 10
the position they have placed him, we are
content to let him remain.
Captain Bennett, on whom Governor
RAMSEY. through the Press, attempts to cast
dirt in order to bring his incompetent ap-
pointee out into brighter relief, has seen
many years of military service. For seven
years in the marine corps, and captain
there, he resigned his commission on the
breaking out of the Mexican war, and at
tached himself to the more active land ser
vice in the army of volunteers. He acquit
ted himself with great credit during that
war, having been promoted, and twice bre-
vetted, for gallant conduct. He entered the
army as Lieutenant, and left it Captain,
with Majors brevet.
On the breaking out Of this rebellion, be
sent, certainly one, and we believe, two of
his sons into the Federal army; and, as
soon as be could arrange his private affairs,
raised company and enlisted With them in
the Third Regiment. This company was
enlisted from among those who have been
for years Captain BENNErr's neigbbors and
friends; who know bis character and quail
ificatiCns and who testified to their high
appreciation of both by choosing him their
Captain without, we have heard, single
dissenting voice. For the cause of his coun-
try, and its success, be has placed at risk
bis own life and the lives of his children.
And such man is insulted, and bis loyalty
questioned, that reason might be found
and given to the public, ia justification for
bis rejection, and the appointment ola mil
itary ignoramus in his stead.
But Governor RAMSEY, when be dictated
the Infamous article which We have copied
ABOVE, from the Press, did not stop to con-
slider in what position it placed himself 1t
often happens, that, when calumuy is
brought forward to sustain cause, it works
an injury rather than help. And it is so
in respect to Governor RAMSEY, in this
case. Captain BENNETT is not unknow
in this State. For seven years be has been
in public life here. Governor RAMSEY has
known him we'll during tie greater part OF
that time. The Governor has partaken of
the Captains hospitalitiss at bis home, and
has through all this period been acquainted
with his political opinions, and knew thor
oughly what stamp of man be was. Gov.
RAMSEY encouraged the raising o! bis COM
pany; and when the men composing it
chose Captain BENNETT as their command
er, the Governor, without hesitation or dis.
trust, issued to him his commission. If
there was attached to Captain BENNETT "a
strong suspicion of disloyalty to the Gov.
erpment" if be had the make of "rebel
spy in federal uniform, how was it that
ALsxASDER RAMSEY, as q loyal Executive,
commissioned him as an officer in a loyal
armvf T-I1.tD1t -t-i -'