The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-11-01
Mason and Slidell-.The Rebel Min.
listers to England and France.

From Forney's lPhila Press.
Jefferson Davis understands the fitness of
things. He selects his instruments like
workman who knows his business. Con.
scious OF the task he has undertaken-which
is neither more nor less than the overthrow
of humane and liberal government, and
the establishment upon its ruins of an un-
relieved despOtism-he makes no move that
does not harmonic with bis settled pur-
poses. When be appointed James M.
Mason as minister to England, and John
Slidell as minister to France, to represent
the Southern treason, he acted upon the
theory that they, Of all men, were most
competent to advocate this treason, because
they had been prominent in its origin, and
are naturally identified with it's destiny. /
have frequently referred to Mason. A more
arrogant, offensive, dictatorial demagogue
never lived. AS Ostentatious and as stately
as Dombey, be may, nevertheless, be called
the Pumbechook of the Secession conspir.
acy. Vain of his mediocrity, which be
mistakes for craftsmanship, he cannot see
that be is laughed at by his associates, and
despised by every decent man His AFRO
gance would be insuferable if it were not
cratic examples and opinions, which other
men would rather conceal, be takes pleasure
IN displaying on every occasion. What,
then, induced the so>called President Davis
to send tnis wretched quack to England?
The answer is, because he is the slave OF
slavery--the worshipper of England, and
the remorseless enemy OF everything like
rational liberty II be disgusts our
English enemies by his conceit and
buster, they will receive him with
open arms Oh account OF his undylug
hatred OF all republican doctrines. John
SlIdell is mau Of another temperament.
His first quality is a dogged obstinacy in
whatever he undertakes, without hesitation,
to the bitter end. By birth a Northern
man, be has Tor long time been hesitating
on the Southern rebellion. His ambition
is unbounded, and among bis dreams for
more than twenty years has been the idea
that be might one day be he head OF great
pro-savery government His abilities are
of higher order than MasOn's. Not much
OF speaker, his strength lies 10 the skill
with which he digests, and the resolution
with which he presses forward his plans.
Married to a French lady, he talks French
like native. His tastes are refined, aud
his habits OF lie luxurious and expensive.
Like Mason, be has a deep seated horror OF
the CGnulAe and /" mud.siiis of society. He
is Travelled as well as an educated man,
and when he reaches, il be ever does reach
Paris, he will at once throw himself into q
sea Of intrigues and toll with unceasing
vigilance to carry out the instructions of
Davis. 1t has been his study for years to
establish intimate rela ions with foreign
ministers at Washington, and he will use
the advantage thus acquired with considers
able effect
1t is emnently probable that the pur-
pose attributed to Slidel and Mason--that
of invoking the protection OF the European
Governments, in other words, of placing
themselves under the patronage of France
and England-wil prove to be correct
Nothing else is required to crown tee col
umn of the iufamy of this rebellion and its
leaders