The Minnesota Pioneer

To the Editor of the Pioneer:

Sir—The "Democrat" newspaper of the past week contains a criticism upon "Cass Democracy," which, of course, assumes the canting tone natural to the columns of that very astonishing dragon-of democracy, guarding the political portals of its own castle.

The "critic" informs the public that him-self and many other friends were "much amused" at the communication published in the Pioneer some three weeks since, over the soubriquet of a "Cass Democrat."

Doubtless, the risibilities of "Ohio" politicians are more particularly susceptible upon such subjects than those of the rest of mankind; and it is but natural to suppose that when "Ohio" characteristics are being engrafted upon Minnesota soil, by a forgery of democracy, peculiarly incidental to demagogues of the first water, it is usual when one laughs, all the rest laugh, without knowing what it is exactly that "amuses" them. Like master, like man, is the old proverb—how beautifully it is exemplified by the very democratic organizers of "Rice-ocracy."

For myself, I am "serious" in avowing a great difference, as I think it, between "Cass Democracy" and "Rice, Robertson and Co." democracy; and while I deem a newspaper discussion inadequate to determine which of the two is the great "Democratic" party of the day; yet for one I prefer to receive the cognomen of a "Sibley democrat" in preference to either, notwithstanding the contumely which the "learned critic" of the Democrat seems to visit upon that sort of political nucleus.

But to bring the matter more forcibly at home, it is the spirit of disinterested democracy that I claim to be the peculiar property of Gen. Cass. Certainly, then, Rice, Robertson & Co., can claim no kindred with any party whose existence is from principle, and not for spoils—whose sentiments are adopted from their own peculiar sense of distinction, and not from personal malice, individual malignity, and contemptible revenge.

The hired "howlers" of the "Ohio" dictators strive at every turn to contort the official acts of Hon. H. H. Sibley into social criminalities; and pecuniary aggrandizement has frequently been charged upon him as governing entirely his whole existence, whether political or social; but failing to substantiate the charges so basely circulated against him, it is no great wonder that these very virtuous men seem to be "amused" and surprised at any policy which may tend to defeat the grovelling schemes of the warlike Editor of the Democrat, under the espionage of the great "chief" of Winnebago contract notoriety.

When Satan was ejected from Heaven, after his allied forces were vanquished, mythology informs the public that he descended into Hell, set up a kingdom on his own hook, and ruled amid his satellites. Past events inform the community also, that a prominent "organizer" once conspired in a similar way to overthrow his benefactors—present events indicate that he has followed per force the worthy example of his illustrious Satanic predecessor, and also rules in his own hell, amid his own satellites—a morale from which some logic may be engendered.

The "critic" also seems surprised that the people of Minnesota should strive to protect themselves by policy, and reasons that no protection can exist except it be from politics, or party alone—an hyperbole that contradicts itself from its very age, as clearly as would "a square circle" demonstrate its own fiction. He thinks, to be neutral, is to be nonsensical—reasoning, perhaps, from his own experience when he supported Col. Mitchell, a Whig official, for the delegateship—then a Whig—now a Democrat. So that this great critic of Cass Democracy thinks it all right to support a Whig to-day, a Democrat to-morrow, versatile as a weathercock, and yet to be neutral, is a paragon of crime in his very democratic judgment. He raves, too, in his madness, about principles. Principles, forsooth! If Christopher Columbus were in Minnesota at this era, assisted by the united efforts of Americus Vespucius, Capt. Cook, Pizarro, Cortes, De Soto, La Salle, Sir John Ross and Col. Fremont, they would all fail and despair of "discovering" any such chimera, either political, moral, or social, secreted or undisguised amid the motley group of genus homo comprising the great Winnebago-Ohio-Riceological party of the nineteenth century, situated in the town of St. Paul, where their great chief has his big wigwam, and fancies it a Tammany junior. Principles forsooth! aye! perhaps they might hunt up the very celebrated "seven cardinal principles," comprising the five loaves and two very small fishes; but "Ohio" politicians are so greedy that it would be a matter of doubt whether twelve baskets full of fragments could be gathered after their terrific onslaught. The war they are waging does not bear the slightest semblance or characteristic of the cause they assume. They do not fight Whiggery, particularly, but simply fill the columns of their "organ" with vituperous abuse of individuals upon whom they look with malicious envy, be they Whig or Democrat; and yet, be it known to the world, these very birds of prey set themselves up as the figure head and pillars of Jeffersonian principles, load their political air-gun to shoot down all deserters! Deserters! why they must live in great fear of the faith of their own vassals—for to desert from a cause, one has first to espouse and belong to it. Rather than be received into the arms of the "Ohio" importation for political tuition, gladly would I follow the deceitful Jack-o'-lantern, that lures you but to destroy; before I would allow myself to be permitted to worship at the altar which such apostles of democracy as Rice, Robertson, C. K. Smith, Hollinshead, Norris and Holcombe hallow with their presence, I should prefer being classed with midnight assassins and lurking highwaymen, who, while they rob and murder, brave the penalty of the law, a more noble sentiment than that which prompts the knowing knave, to avail the law's advantages to betray the confidence of his fellow-men.

I do not consider democracy to be merely a purpose by which official spoils may be more effectually obtained; its purposes are holier and far more sacred. Neither do I judge those who "howl" the loudest, the best advocates of a cause. Their voices are bought—and of necessity they are politically without force from their selfish origin. Therefore, the attacks that are made daily, nay hourly, upon Hon. H. H. Sibley, the members who legislated by their majority the last session of the Legislature, and those citizens who are wise enough to prefer the general welfare and honest administration of official government, be it of any or every political party, are the offspring of the fierce resentment, and malignity of the infamous and "promising" Ohio organization Winnebago contractor; and savor no more of democracy than the platform of Barnburnerism that Martin Van Buren reserves for his own traitorous purposes. In defining my democracy as of the "Sibley" description, let me still assert my right to be held and known as

"A CASS DEMOCRAT"