The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-10-06
LETTER FROM HON. HENRY M.
RICE.
His Views on the Issues of the
Canvass.
A Former Letter and the |" Press y
Comments Thereon.

We take pleasure in laying before our
readers straight forward and manly let
ter from Hon. HENsY NJ. RIOE, on the is
sues Of the present canvass, together with
letter written by him during the Presi-
dental campaign last year, and the COM
ments of the Press thereon The
most cautious critic viii look in vain
in these two letters for any EVIL
dence Of inconsistency. The issues dis
cussed ia the letter of November 1, 1864,
have, by general acceptation. become OBJ
solete, and cannot be revived. Those now
vital to the public veal are the proposed
extension Of the right of suffrage to the
negro race, and the support Of the recon-
struotion measures of President JOHNSON.
Upon these issues the sentiments of Mr..
RIoR are in accord with the declared views
Of the Democratic. party, and We believe
with the best minds in the Republican or
-ganization. We commend the annexed
documents to the candid consideration of
the people Of this Stste:
ST.. Paul., September y. 1866.
To the Editor Of the R0ae~:
/ cannot refrain from rendering to the edit
ors of the Press mig thanks for republishing
my letter of the 1st OF November last, Is well
as for its leading editorial Of this morning, as
it gives me an oprortunity TO place myself
right on the record. G&4oi'J g hIa snz
Tmecer ,rose, nor &oagst of ,orsting letter
advocating tie elac6m Of Gen. McCgsnas. Ny
letter advocating he reelection of Mr.. Lin
coin, was written without the aid or knowl.
edge Of any one. Il then embodied my views,
and / am happy 10 say that time has but
strengthened the sentiments I then expressed.
was then, as NOW am, In favor of the largest
human liberty. Inevsr advocated negro sui.
frage, for do not think they are capable OF
making proper use of it. lido not believe in
offering them Inducements 70 settle in our
State. gt gi gS7aa4 o. t.si,r
Give them liberty; make laws for their pro-
lection but the mixing Of them with the
whites win neither be profitable to the one,
nor improving to the other. Waen tie Soatk-
ern States return 10 &sei, auegianee. shall be IN
farm Of their vot;nsp population being equally rep.
resented s0ih oar osO's, and 40 more. : l'.'N
The following views Of Senator Doolittle ]
cannot too strongly endorse: 4
As to negro suffrage In the Southern States
being made condition pFecodent to the ad-
mission of their Representatives in Congress, (
shall maintain tasF .a EGlag III F4
1st. That the policy Of Mr.. Lincoln and Mr..
those States for themselves, is the emily Just
and wise policy. ias
I'd. That it Is In accordance with the letter
and spirit of the Constitution. r re
Sd. That 1t is almost inconceivable that any
federal administration should attempt to en-
force universal negro suffrage In States where,
for two hundred years the negroes have been
degraded by slavery, where, at the same time,
nearly two-thirds Of the Free States deny euf-
frage to persons Of the same race, who have
been educated as freemen, among freemen.
with the thoughts, habits and responsibilities
OF frecmen. .a,- ~ t1s -S8Hs H.s -
also agree with that distinguished Senator
that .# of gee ~ "a
That this is but one more instance, so often
repeated in history, in which the most sacred
cause is placed in greater peril by the misguid-
ed zeal and fanaticism of its professed friends
than by the open hostility Of its avowed enc
mics. .sHs il 81 a.t ts
Some of the foremost in denoancing Mr..
Johnson's policy, intend to make uncompro-
missing war upon his administration. in order
to build up a new party for the next Presiden.
tial contest TsW i1f7 4aJ .3b a58.aI
believe now as then that the "revolted cit
liens forfeit all rights under the consultation
when they turned traitors, and that the eman-
cipation proclamation legally and rightfully
set every slave free" The President has, nm
der the constitution and the laws of Congress,
the right to pardon and to restore to rebels
their political rights as well as all recognized
property heretofore belonging to them and now
within his reach. In doing this he has taken
the highest Christian stand, and initiated 80 Ear
as man may the divine injunction:p -3d,.f
Forgive Us our trespasses as we forgive those
: who trespass against Us. 80 -;
In accepting the nomination informed the
committee that my, acts in sustaining the late
administration could not be ignored that had
from conviction of duty and right sustained
Mr.. Lincoln, and that l. had as yetno reason to
regret the conrse had taken. The country in
my opinion is now in its greatest peril. AN
Union men should unite in sustaining Presi-