The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-04-10

gers who felt no sympathy il their behalf.
He bad heard with much interest the
count given Ivy the gentleman from Arkan-
sas, of The proceedings of the commissions
crs who had been dispatched to treat with
the Indians Of New Mexico. Ii appeared
that they had, after an absence Of some
months, progressed rs far as San Antonio,
ia the State of Texas, and from that point
had sen, back to the Department here for a
large supply of champagne, sardines, and
other good things. The people Of Mime
sofa felt some anxiety to receive a good re-
port of those commissioners, inas,nuch rs
| one Of them, from being citizen Of Ken
lucky, had hy some marvellous transfor-
nation, become bona fde old settler
of Minnesota, after residence Of not quite
two months in that region, and then actual
ly claimed and received, as coming from
that Territory, the appointment TO which
he MIR. S. referred. With all ,lue res.
pect TO The Administration which commits
stoned him. and to the gentleman himself,
for whom he (Mr. So entertained none
other than kind feelings, he must declare
that the people of Minnesota had good cause
TO complain Of the bestowment upon an en-
tire stranger, Of gOodly slice Of the small
share of patronage which they had a right
to expect of the Government. He had lis
tened with pleasure TO the complimentary
expressions of the gentleman who is at the
head Of the Indian Committee, with refer.
ence to Governor Ramsey and his efficient
management Of The relations with the tribes
Of Indians in Minnesota; and he could say,
of his own knowledge, that the Governor
was deserving of such commentator from
the Executive, as well rs from this House.
He believed Governor Ramsey to he sin
cere friend to the Indians, and desirous Of
incliOrating their condition.; ard the excep-
ton made in the amendment proposed, so as
to effect no change in the Minnesota super
,ntendency, was alike due to the Depart
inent, and in accordance with the dictates Of
a sound policy. Any disruption at this par
ticuar crisis Of the relations existing be-
tween the Executive Of that Territory and
the large and warlike tribes within its linn
! its, would have an unfayorable effect upon
them.
He (Mr. S. did not intend TO say much
more on this occasion. He would only ad-
vert, in very few words, to the actual con-
dition of the Indian race. That condition,
he regretted to say, was very wretched
one. This Government still forbears to
adopt a course with regard to these misera-
own homer and character, aud the promp-
tings of n wise and enlightened humanity,
would dictate. If, in the place of expentI-
ing millions upon millions in keeping up
large military force TO hunt the Indians with
sword and bayOnet, as is now the case in
Texas and New Mexico, the Government
would place in the hands of its Conmnis-
sioner OF Indian Affairs, to beMfpplied to
feeding, clothing, and educating the remain
ing tribes, one fifth of the SUN now requr-
ed for the support of an army, it " ould soon
be found unnecessary to employ force at ALL
The result would prove that these beings
are actuated by the same motives as are
other men, and that when this Government
ceases TO regard and treat them as Outcasts
and enemies, they will he grateful for and
appreciate its motives. No one can be ius-
titled in asserting that such an experiment
would fail until it had heen properly tried
| To test the sense of the House on this SUBJ
| ject, he Mr.. 81 would eudeavor to obtain
the floor before the adjournment, with a
view of moving that the bill presented by
/, bim at the beginning Of the session, s'for
promoting the civilization Of the Indian
tribes in Minnesota Territory. be taken up
and put upon its passage. That bill en-
bodied principles which, if carried out in
good faith by this Government, would have
the effect TO save those tribes which remain
1t provides that they shall I've made anena-
| ble to the laws Of the United States, and he
protected by them in person and property
and that homestead aud the rights OF c,ti-
zenship shall be secured To them under GER
tain restrictions and conditions. II Con-
gress will pass such a measure, the time
will speedily arrive when this Government
may safely dispense with any display of
military force on the border TO protect il
from savage aggressions, for under its ope-
ration the Indian himself will be as prompt
to uphold and sustain the majesty Of those
laws, which extend to him civil and politi-
cal rights, as are now other citizens.
| Mr.. s. concluded with the expression Of
n hope that the amendment, which was so
well calculated TO give increased efficiency
to the Indian Department, would receive
the favorable consideration of the commit
tee. 1t involved no additional expenditure
on the part of the Government; and even if
it did, that fact should constitute no objec-
lion to the passage of a measure which was
in itself Of such paramount interest to the
country.
Day PARsoN, AND Coon JUICE OF
VTLLAINoUs BRANpY--.7n .9ufhenfic .7nec-
dote.-What vast difference education,
association, and habit, makes among men of
all sorts and sizes, trades, grades, aud pro-
! fessicns. How very few are the evils of So
ciety which are regarded by all; how much
of everything. especially Of opinion takes its
color from the eve of the observer, with ref
erence to The real nature of the thing! But
we don't intend to write an essay, but ,nere-
ly to tell an anectote to illustrate what we
have been saying-an anecdote which has
al last the merit Of authenticity, and small
species of droIlery. .ae .ls.-.ilk p. .-
Several years ago, two English Clergy
men. Of The society of s'lmdependents." as
the Congregationalists are termed in Eng
land. came as delegates from the home
churches to the churches in the T.. States,
for the purpose Of inquiry respecting the re-.
ligious condition Of the New World. Both
of,hem were persons eminent for learning
and piety. but neither Of them had heard
| any thing ofteIDPerance organizations per sc,
and though meu of good personal habits,
they were hy no means s''ieetotaleers"--be-
ing in short very much in this respect like
Z i 4 ~