The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-08-15
The Hon. Henry II Rjce, and the
Senatorial Question.


We have heard it given out frequently
during the past few months, that Senator
RICE intended to retire from public life, at
the close of bis present term, and that be did
not wish to be considered candidate for
the succession, either by bis friends or the
public. We had paid but little attention
to this statement, for we regarded it as of
the common run of political gossip. uttered
without authority, or from motives of policy.
But, the unequivocal statement Of this deter
mination by the Senator himself, at the war
meeting at Armory Hall, on Saturday eve
ming, led US to seek conversation with
him on the subject. In this conversation
the Senator repeated the decision which be
uttered in public, and gave it as definite and
unconditional; alleging the state of his
health, which has become seriously, if not
fatally, impaired, by his long residence at
Washington, and the condition of bis pro-
perty interests, which, for the past ten years
have been necessarily left to take care of
themselves.
Believing, as we do, that this is the fixed
determination of Senator RICE, we shall
not scruple to express our sincere regrets
over the fact. For, however much we may
have differed from him in regard to po-
litical and partizan principles and policies
in the past, and with whatever bitterness
we have opposed him, or been opposed by
him, we have not been blind to the unselfsh
patriotism which has marked his course
since the present rebellion disturbed the
peace, and threatened the stability, Of the
Union. His course has not merely been
unsel6shly patriotic, but it has been mark.
ed by degree of ability and broad and
thorough craftsmanship, which those who
have regarded him merely as the efficient
business representative, did not anticipate
from him. 1t is no derogation from the
merits of any Senator TO say, that the opin-
ions of Mr.. RICE respecting the management
of the wal, and especially with respect to
the organization of our vastly increased ar
my, have been eagerly sought for in the
Cabinet as well as in bis own body, and that
they have had a powerful, and in many i'm
portant cases, controlling influence in the
direction of affairs. 1t is complimentary
to the Presidents sagacity as as well as to
the talents and patriotism Of Mr.. RICE, that
the former has regarded him as one of bis
safest councillors, and has frequently sought
the benefit of bis clear, practical judgment,
at the most critical periods of our National
difficulties. He has thus been able to per-
form important services to his country, and
add greatly to the strength and scope of his
own reputation:
But, we intended simply to state fact,
not to pen an eulogy. The time to make
up fair record of the services which Sena-
tor RICE has rendered bis State and Coun-
try, will be after he shall have retired, as he
soon proposes to, altogether from public
life. And then it will be better done, and
more justly, by other pens than ours. For
the present we designed only to announce
bis determination not to enter the Senato>
rial canvass, and to express our regrets that
any circumstances, in the present crisis of
affairs, should have induced him to adopt it.