The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-03-20

I<1CoS Vic COuutEys ouu @1oyoS ctiAl, 10 al
active and prominent member Of the Com
mittee on Military Affairs, and the Com
mittee on Finance he has earned the res.
pect and esteem Of his associates, and an
enviable reputation as statesman Of sound
Judgment and practical executive ability.
We have not space to present even an
epitome of the acts which mark his Sena-
torial career. From his first entrance into
the Senate, by personal, social, and politi-
cal ties, he became the friend and associ-
ate of many members of that body, who
have since proved themselves conspirators
against the Union, rebels against the Gov
eminent. and traitors to the Constitution.
Upon his character as an American Sena-
tor, there is no stain. Faithful among
the faithless, Mr.. RICE stands, now and
hereafter, for one country, one Constitu-
ton, and one destiny. III
Under date of October 4th, 1861, in re-
ply to a letter from a committee of the
citizens Of Wabashaw county, Mr.. RICE
stated his views with reference to existing
complications. In that letter he said:
There is but one question, worth considering,
before the people of the loyal States-Union
or Disunion; and all other issues are lost in
this momentous struggle. Those in favor of
sustaining the Union must make great sacri-
fees, not only OF material interests, but of
preconceived opinions upon other questions of
minor importance; and at no time, and in no
place, permit old prejudices, however honestly
entertained, to obscure the great object in
view. If the Administration is not sustained
by united people in the loyal States, the Fed
eral Union viii be hopelessly lost. A division
of sentiment and action now must inevitably
result in separation of the States. There
is, therefore, but one course for patriots to
pursue.
Prior to the commencement oil hostilities, l
was in favor of concession for the purpose of
keeping inviolate the seal of the federal COM
pact. Failing in this, preferred peaceful
dissolution to civil war; because I believed
that, by thus allaying the passions of the con-
tending sections a peaceful dissolution would
lead to peaceful reconstruction upon an en-
during basis. But my hopes and wishes failed.
The sword has been made the arbiter, and war
must now decide the issue. Our brave volun-
teers, without regard to party, have pledged
their lives to sustain the Union, the Constitu-
ton, and the Laws, without demanding guaran-
ties as to details. Shall we, at home, sustain
them on this single issue? or shall we, by
dividing among ourselves stimulate dissentions
among them, upon measures deemed prudent
to posts of fearful responsibility? Let US, rath-
er, like men, stand united for the Union, and
those through whom, only, the Union can be
preserved.
To this war, prosecuted for the Union, de-
vote all my energies and powers. To civil
war, prosecuted for the abolition of slavery, I
am opposed, now and forever. We must not,
cannot yield in our struggle for the old land
marks, set by our fathers. To yield for the
want of unity In the loyal States, would be
most degrading to our character as a people.
Forcible dissolution would be but the begin
ming of our National troubles and disgrace; for
when this issue has been thus determined, every
mountain pass, every valley, lake and river will
become the boundary line of conflicting SOW
ereignties. Our national character. our individ-
ual pride and credit, will then all be gone: our
social relations, the ties of home and kindred,
our customs and laws, will all be lost in the
common overthrow; and the American people,
heretofore so proud of their nationality, and of
the protection it gave even to the humblest
citizen, will be left without name or place
among the nations of the earth.
To avert this dread calamity, the loyal people
everywhere must be united for the sake of the
Union They must practice cheerful submis-
sion to the laws. They must cultivate respect
for, and confidence and faith in, those whom the
Almighty Ruler, at this momentous crisis, has
placed over the destinies of our beloved coun-
try. They must frown upon, as inimical to the
Government, every attempt to array citizens
at home, or the soldiers in the field, into con-
tending factions; for it will require the best
efforts ofus all, sanctifed by the choicest bene-
factions of God, to bring our distracted coun-
try back again to its old condition of unity,
order, happiness, and prosperity.
The noble, unsel6sh, patriotic spirit
which breathes throughout this letter, has
impressed and guided the official acts of
Senator RICE during the whole course of
this rebellion. ...
We know not what may be Mr.. R1cEs
future; whether, in accordance with his
oft-repeated desire, he will be permitted
to retire permanently to private life, or be
summoned to some new position of re-
sponsibility and TRUST but we do know
that his career in the national councils,
now closed, has proved him man whose
integrity and patriotism are without stain,
and whose qualities of mind and heart
challenge the respect of the country at
large, and the esteem and gratitude of the
people of Minnesota-who will welcome
him again to his home with the "Well
done!" which is the coveted reward of all
"gOod and faithful servants"
The Richmond Dispatch, of March 5,