The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-10-27


Tne Press,s Libelers and Mr..
Rice.
The editors of the Press having failed
to dissuade numerous Republicans from
their avowed intention of voting for 81.
n. RICE for Governor, have become des-
perate, and are trying to take satisfaction
out Of these independent Republicans by
the most slanderous abuse of Mr.. RICE.
But they will find that their ibellous raw
ings will have no other effect than that Of
increasing the number of Mr.. R1oEs sup
porters.
Tho Press editors have Frequently shown
that they haveneither the tact, talent nor
honesty, necessary to make them useful Ii
the support of q friend, but they have all
the mean and rascally qualities Of head
and heart, which make them valuable to
opponents. 1t is only as an opponent
that they can serve any honorable man of
their own or any other party. The more
virulent their assaults, the more SANDER
Gus their language, the more service will
they render him whom they seek to de-
stsoy. The more pure the character, the
mere eminent the talents, the more IN
sullied the reputation of any one to
whom the Press is opposed, the more vir-
nleEt will that mendacious sheet become
in its efforts to represent him as the vilest
Of the vile.
We see this well Known characteristic
Of the Press daily illustrated in its as
ssults upon Mr.. RICE. Not satisfied with
the most unfair political warfare upon
him, which they discover does not help
the cause of their own candidate, they re-
sort to the most violent abuse of his char
acter, charging in general terms and base
insinuations, that he is a dishonest man
a rascal and plunderer. The people of
Minnesota know too well the high charsc-
ter of Mr.. RICE to suffer such SANDERS to
pass without administering just rebuke,
which will relieve at least majority of
our people from the imputation Of COM
plicity in the wickedness of these har-
dened and shameless slanderers.
Among the first white men who came
to this State, was Mr.. RICE. Few persons
have had so many business transactions
with our citizens as he, and we venture to
say, that there is not one person in the
State, white, black or red, who will as
sert that Mr.. RIog has dealt unfairly by
aim in any way whatever mot one in the
State, or elsewhere, who can say that Mr..
RICE owes him dollar, or any obligation
Whatever which he has ever refused to
pay. ~
These libelers of the Press know that
they cannot make out even one instance
of dishonesty in public and private life
during the whole course of Mr.. R:cE's
long career, but they have the cowardly
malice to hint and insinuate that in pecu-
mary affairs Mr.. RICE is a great rascal and
therefore not to be trusted by the people
in the Office of Governor.
What is there to justify snch political
warfare as that?
Were we to pursue like course to-
wards Gen. MARSHALL with what disgust
would all decent people turn aside from
the canvass? And were the candidate
exchanged, with what a relish for all
that is malignant and vituperative,
would the Press lick up the
banking and bankruptcy of Gen. MAR.
SHALL, and attempt to spit its venom at
him as villain and robber of widows and
orphans who had entrusted their all to bis
safe keeping and lost it. Such is the case
the Press would attempt to make out
against MARSHALL, were he instead of Mr..
RICE the Democratic candidate; and such
a course on the part of the Press towards
Gen. MARSHALL as our candidate, while
it would be no more slanderous, would
Justly produce the same effect on the pub
lie mind and among Republicans, as is
now produced by its coinage of SANDERS
against Mr.. RICE.
We shall not follow the example of the
Press, but content ourselves as hereto
fore, with legitimate political wa, fare,
which forbids resort to falsehood and
elander as means of influencing an cleo
ton. We permit the Press to remain
alone in that sort of glory, and rely upon
the intelligence and integrity Of the people
to apply the proper corrective.
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