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


cussed in 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-
struction measures of President JOHNSON.
Upon these issues the sentiments of Mr..
R1oR 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 State:
ST.. PAUL, September y. 1866.
To the Editor Of the Poseer:
cannot refrain from rendering to the edit
ors of the Press mig thanks for republishing
my letter of the list OF November last, as well
as for its leading editorial Of this morning, as
it gives me an opportunity to place myself
right on the record. i.'s h
Tnecer scrose, nor &oaght of writing a letter
advocating tie election of Gen. McC2elax My
letter advocating the reelection of Mr. Lin
coin, was written without the aid or knowl.
edge of any one. Il then embodied my views,
and am happy TO say that time has but
strengthened the sentiments then expressed
I was then, as now am, in favor of the largest
human liberty. never advocated negro suf-
frage, for do not think they are capable of
making proper use of it. l do not believe in
Offering them Inducements to settle in our
State. .. 81
Give them liberty; make laws for their pro.
lection but the mixing of them with the
whites will neither ne profitable to the one,
nor improving to the other. When the Soatk-
ern States return 10 tier allegiance, shall be IN
taror of their votinsp population being equally rep.
resented scith oar Osos:, and 40 more. ..
The following views of Senator Dooittle I
cannot too strongly endorse:
AS to negro suffrage in the Southern States
being made condition precedent to the ad-
mission of their Representatives in Congress,
shall maintain
johnson, of leaving that to be determined by
those States for themselves, is the emily just
and wise policy.
I'd. That it is in accordance with the letter
and spirit of the Constitution.
Sd. That it 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 suf-
frage to persons of the same race, who have
been educated as freemen, among freemen
with the thoughts, habits and responsibilities
OF freemen. . I'D sr ..
also agree with that distinguished Senator
that
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 tanaticism of its protested friends
than by the open hostility Of it's avowed enc
mics. . . .
Some OF the foremost in denounciug Mr..
Johnsons policy, intend to make uncompro-
missing war upon his administration, in order
to build upa new party for the next Presiden.
tial contest @ 0 $50
believe now as then that the "revolted cit
liens forfeit all rights under the constitution
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 recoon;ged
property heretofore belonging to them and now
within his reach. In doing this he has taken
the highest Christian stand, and initiated SO Gar
as man may the divine Injunction: ~
Forgive Us our trespasses as we forgive those
: who trespass against US.
In accepting the nomination informed the
committee that my acts in sustaining the late
administration could not he ignored that had
from conviction of duty and right sustained
Mr.. Lincoln, and that had as yet 10 reason to
regret the course had taken. The country in
my opinion is now in its ,,reatess peril. All
Union men should unite in sustaining Presi-
dent johnson against the fanatical disunionists
who are endeavoring to destroy and ruin by
the deceitful cry of S"equaiity to all men un
der the law" In conclusion will ask you to
publish my letter of Nov 1st.. also the editoria,
comments of the Press, that the people may
have all the facts before them.
Respectfully yours. 80
- HENRY NJ. RICE.
ST. PAUL, Oct. IL. 1864
Editors y. the Press: sSta 81
Please publish the accoanpa paging letter OF
the Hon. II. NJ. Rice, and BY SO doing you will
greatly serve the cause OF the Union.
Respectfully, K. BLAKELEY.
Sr. PAUL, Nov. 1, 1864.
GENrLEMEN In yours of yesterday you say
that my personal friends wish to know nv
position as to the question involved In The
coming Presidential election"
believe General Mcclellan and Mr.. Lincoln
both desire peace-both the restoration of the
Union. The one favors the return Of the
Southern States with slavery, the other wishes
those States TO retarn without that institution.
on ueye that the revol.ed citizens forfeited
all rights they had under the Constitution
when they turned traitors, that the Emauci-
patton Proclamation legally and nghtiully set