The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-02-25

did so solely to secure to Minnesota her just
rights.
OF one thing, there is no doubt enter.
tanned here and that is, If certain prom
ineut Republicans in Minnesota had not
written to Senators and Representatives,
and raised questions a. to the legality Of the
proceedings Of the Constitutional Conven-
ton, and as to the validity and genuineness
oil the Constitution, presented to the Presii
dent by Governor MKDARY, and by the for
mer transmitted to Congress, Minnesota, at
the present time, would have been O State
~ the Union, and not out of the Union.
Unfortunately, too, for the interests of Min
nesota, SEooNBE, of st. Anthony, (noted for
his completely with election frauds in that
city, happened to be in Washington, at the
time the Constitution was transmitted by
the President, and busted himself, in making
statements, to Republican members, and /
have understood, particularly to the two
Republicans on the Senate Committee on
Territories, protesting against the genuine.
ness Of the Constitution transmitted to Con.
gress. The fabrcations and innuendoes Of
SEcoMDE had their effect, and the first oh.
Jections TO the immediate admission Of Min
nesota came from Black Republican SeDa-
tors. When these objections were an
swercd, the golden time had passed; Kan
sas, not Minnesota, was the absorbing sub
ject with politicians Of all shades Of political
sentiment.
The conservative Southern members cx-
press feeling Of great regard for Minnesota.
They appreciate the fact that we have never
cost the Federal Government q cen: to pre-
serve order within our borders--that the
Territory has proved source of revenue to
the States OF the Union-yet, this Banquo
OF Kansas rises up, and they refrain from
an immediate act Of justice, fearing that
our admission will add to the nti-Iecomp-
ton strength in the Senate and House.
The opinions of several prominent legal
gentlemen have been taken here, as to the
legality and force Of the proceedings, and
laws passed By the State Legislature. They
all concur as to their entire validity and
give their assent to the proposition that
Minnesota possesses oil the attributes of
State sovereignty; that she is a sovereign
State--om of the Union. Judge DOUGLAS
and Mr.. TooMRs both concur in this view
OF the case. 1t is believed by many that
our Senators and Representatives have u
right to seats in Congress, under the terms
OF the Enabling Act, and that this would
have been accorded, as matter Of right
had il been claimed by them, without wait
ing for the formality Of a law admitting
the State into the Union. To support
this, the case of Ohio is instanced. No act
was passed for her admission, but her Sena-
tors and Representatives took their seats,
without objection being raised.
am glad to be able to inform you that
an express has been dispatched to Mime
sofa to bring on various bands Of Indians,
for the purpose Of treating with the govern
ment for the sale Of their lands. With the
Red Lake Chippewas and the Pembina In
dams treaty will be formed for the extin.
punishment Of their tile TO all lands claimed
by them in the northern portion of the
State, including the valley Of Red river
Within twelve months from the ratification
of this treaty, pioneers and town site specu.
lators will be found operating west of the
Red river Of the North. The Upper and
Lower Sioux have been sent for, in order, il
possible, to extinguish their title to the val.
liable reservation they now occupy, running
for over hundred miles in length On both
sides Of the Minnesota river II is designed
by the Indian Department to give these In
dams an individual right to the property
they occupy, thus destroying the present
system OF the respective bands holding their
lands in common. As with the Chippewas
OF the Mississippi. each family or head Of
family will hold, in his own right, eighty
acres Of land This tract however. he or
they viii not be permitted to sell. After
dcductiny the aggregate amount required
for these homesteads from the Sioux re-
srvation. the remainder will be opened to
white settlers. A deputation Of Yanktons
has also been sent fr, to settle disputed
questions OF boundary with the government
and with TIE other Sioux. a treaty will
BIZ made with the Yanktons tor their lands
lying west Of the Blk Sioux. and between
that river and the james, in the new Terri
tory. 1t is desired by our delegation 10
extiuyuish the Indian fitla IN oil I.,,l, 4,