The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1854-03-23

For the Pioneer.
To THE EDITOR OF THE PIoNFEs:-
-, a

To THE EDITOR OF THE PIoHrEB:--
DEAR SIR have read letter in your hast
week - paper, under the signature OF ). l.. RIGGS
with regret and pain because it is written in tha
charitable and christian spirit that l should have
expected from Missionary OF the American Board
of Foreign Missions. II Mr.. Riggs had sincere "
wished 10 do good 10 the lndians-to assist the Gov
ernmen OF his country in their efforts for that pur
pose OF 10 observe the christian mlxim Of DONG
as he would he done hy he would no, have answer
ed the Government Agent in the pert manner he de-
scril,es in his letter Again, il Mr.. Riggs proposes
himself lead the Government officers 10 listen
to his advice, he au,ht to have sense enough tn
know thai it is not likely to be effected by n-inua-
ting chat what they about To do for the Indian,
has for lis object their fame.
We are apt Ia measure other peoples corn by our
own bushel. Mr.. Riggs is determined that his bles-
sings shall not work silently YOU probably can tell rs
what good the gentleman proposes to himself by
his letter; vii his round thunder and g big FIRE y
poured in regal language 90 experience, -
''our efforts lead to any favorable results by be-
ing published in newspaper, and adorned with the
cap-Taps Of Standardization and Capitalization
No, Mr.. Editor, Won know well that it is not the
way to do good.
| am unwilling 10 fall into the So III, error as your
correspondent MIR. Riggs, and therefore must say,
that should not have written this letter publicly,
did think it necessary that the public should he
distinctly informed that it is not true that the officers
of government have any intention destroy the H.
dams quickly possible, or even to increase 'he
gambling, lie ball playing the dancing. the Teasing,
or the women bunt'n2." duty is prescribed 10
them which they will no doub, perform with fidelity.
\ duty is Also imposed on the missionary which "a
it may have become known to - experience, "
beg 10 trespass upon yoar experience TO be able 70
explain.
II is universally admitted that it is a desirable
thing u charge the nature of indiaus~to teach
them To think and work, and 10 teach Them tn wor.
ship God aud not the devil The first teaching Is
consistently the duty of the government and govern
officers the latter To the province OF The men o!
God. With the missionaries, IT has always been
con,ended, that the last named work must precede
all other improvement, and ] tor ono, am quite
willing 10 believe them whilst at ths same time,
would certanl, contend that the efforts o; govern
ment to bring them TO work aud think, by means Of
schools and farms will rather assist than retari The
labor OF the missionary. So long the medicine
bag is in existence, long there be barrier
to all civilization. In other words, paganism mn I
he destroyed if you wish to ameorate the condition
OF the savage.
Here is ample field for the exerton and fame OF
Mr.. Riggs. Instead OF troubling himself with indi-
vduasn Capitalization, let him busy himself witt,
evange'ization. Let him fight the good fght let
him win trophies from the army OF Satan; and when
he to the alter laden with the medicine bags
OF the Dakotas, then may be said TO him that he
has been working "like the gentle rain and the sun
shine" "God grant that it may be 500
Yours truly,
ST. Paul, March 10th, 1854. 4. X.