The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-02-07
INTRO DUcTo Ry.

Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
In the note from the Secretary Of this As
ISOLATION, inviting me TO deliver the annua
address, there was contained an intimation thu,
the state Of the country now comprised within
our Territorial limi,s-from the year 1919
when military post was first established a,
the confluence Of the Mississippi and Mime
sofa rivers, until ls49, when Congress gave t.
Minnesota distinct existence and name
would be an appropriate subject. have acted
upon that suggestion in part only not having
confined myself to the particular period referred
to-nor have l attempted anything like con.
tinuous narrative Of events On the contrary
have picked up waif here and there, as fur.
nished from memory or otherwise brought
within my reach, and have enunciated some
opinions of my own, which will be found moi
70 accord with those generally entertained by
the community at large.
ANrE-ulsroRic PERIOD.
While reviewing what il usually termed the
early history Of Minnesota, has ref
erence to a time subsequent to It's discovery by
white men-the mind Is naturally he'd To specu.
late upon the condition of things, as they exist
ed at much more remote period, aud before
the present races fred men acquired possession
OF this country. That the entire west was in.
habited by a more civilized people than the In
dams, We do not learn from tradition. nor have
We the testimonials even of rude bieroglyphics.
which may be deciphered, sooner or later. by
the antiquarian. Nevertheless. there is other
evidence Of the fact, Of an indisputable charac-
ter. In the bowels of the earth there have been
sought for and found, the relics of a past age.
EartleG Xess..ls II cauyepient fprp,-.- Weapons,
and implements Of labor made from copper
other articles never fashioned by Indian hands
together with the proofs of mechanical skill in
the Copper Mines Of Lake Superior lately dis
covered, where masses of that metal, of many
tons weight, have been raised from their beds,
and wooden supports introduced beneath them,
with view to their removal, these are a few
OF the evidences which satisfy us'oi the existence
of a race long since, in the region now occupied
by Us, who were far superior TO the Indian
tribes, bat whose fate is left entirely 10 conjec
ture.
Fancy may picture to us, communities Of
simple and Industrious people, unwarlike in
their character, happy in the possession Of a
fertile and beautiful country, and blessed with
all the comforts Of LIE, suddenly and success
lively invaded, overwhelmed and cricrminated
by hordes Of mercileSs savaxes, leaving behind
them no other traces Of their history. than are
afforded by few specimens Of their ingenuity in
the mechanic arts. The mystery which cnvei-
opes their fate will never be penetrated, unless,
indeed, there should be discovered, at future
day, some record which has hitherto bafilel the
dilligent search Of the historian.
THE INDIAN CHARACTER.
The character Of the wild race who succeed
them in possession Of the Mississippi Valley, is
well portrayed by Alison. in his partial, but e.
oguent History Of Europe lie describes the
North American Indian a. neither the child
OF Japhet, daring. Industrious interchangeable, ex-
ploring the world by his enterprise and subdu-
ing il by hisexertons nor the offspring Of Ish-
mael, sober ardent, enduring traversug the
desert on his stecis and issuing forth at appoint
ed intervals, from his solitudes to punish and re-
generate mankind. He is the hunter Of the for.
est ; skilled to perfection ia the craft necessary
for that primitive occupation, but incapable Of
advancing beyond it. Civilization in vain en-
deavors to throw its silken letters over his
limbs; he avoids the smiling plantation, and
flies in horror before the advancing hatchct Of
the woodsman lie does well to shun tho ar-
proach Of the European race he can neither
endure its htigues nor Withstand its temptations;
and faster than before the sword and bayonet,
his race is melting under the flc-water, the first
gilt and last curse Of civilization"
TRIBAL CONDITION or THE INDIANS.
II is not my intention to expatate n, length
upon this topic. But in the annual address OF
your society, passing glance may be permit
tel, at the tribal condition Of tina, people who
have so long roanrd through our forests and
our prairics, and who are now disappearing I'M
der the operation of the same inHuencss which
long since swept their eastern brethren from the
Garth.
The subdivisions Of the respective Dakota
and Algonquin stocks have ban opposed 10
each other for centuries Tradition, as well az
the testimony OF the early writers upon this
country. informs US that active hostilities have
existed between them from time immemnrial
except when an occasional temporary truce has
been agreed upon by the parties. Sometimes
ii has happened, that some Of tbs oGshosts from
the parent stem. had combined with it, enemies
against il. Thus, the Assineboincs, rcvoltel
tribe Of Dakotas, have allied themselves with
the Chippwas against them. I'm the other
hand, the Saes and Foxes OF Algonquin ex-
traction, were formerly on such friendly terms
with the Dakoias. that, with them, they madc
furious war upon the Chippewas These were.
however. but signal exceptions TO the general
rule. Not one whit more bitter. was the irafe
u Hamilcar 10 the Roman namc. when be cons