The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-26
Minnesota Dlsgraced at the Capital.

Hunuesota OAs&raceu nj tne CapAtaA.
A gallant and reliable officer Of the first
regiment, in q letter published by US yester-
day, calls loudly for aid for the regiment.
He says the condition of the men is deplo-
rable; +" that we are probably the worst
provided regiment in the whole service.
Many of our men have not been out for
" days, because they had no pants to wear"
Why is it that Minnesota is thus disgraced
at Washington? Upon whom should the
blame fall We answer upon the State
authorities alone. 1t was the duty of Gov.
RAMSEY, if he was disinclined to convene
the Legislature to make proper provision
for the comfort of our soldiers, to have
assumed the responsibility himself, and
looked to the peoples representatives for a
ratification of his acts. They were free of
their pledges of linen and money" last win
ter, to support the Federal Administration.
Why not make them good? The fact is,
our weak-backed Governor was afraid to
assume any responsibility whatever, and in
this he was most ably seconded by his Adj
jutant General. We do not believe the
record of recent military operations, in any
State of the North, will begin to equal in
ineficiency and vacillation, the action of our
State authorities. It will be a rich history
when it is written.
The Press-"the organ"--is epdeavor-
ing to whte.wash the State functiOnaries
from the attacks made upon them by KING,
of the Minneapolis Atlas, who is now at
Washington. Its success has not been res
markable, and, we do not think, has affected
in the least the almost universal sentiment
of this community. In late article, in
speaking of the matter of clothing, referred
to above, it says:
1t is true, the articles were not quite as good
as might have been had in the Eastern cities
but they were the best that could be provided
here at the time, and in time to get the Regi-
ment into the field. They were all examined
by United States army officers, who decided
soldiers would not be charged in their clothing
account for more than they were worth.
The last sentence of the above quotation,
which is an attempt to throw the blame of
the purchase of worthless articles upon
United States Army officers, is without the
slightest foundation. The goods were not
examined by United States Army officers,
and the responsibility OF their purchase and
quality rests solely with the State authori-
ties.
We see only one way to even partially
remedy the blunders or crimes of the State
Administration, in the equipment of the
First Regiment. Let it be done by volun.
tary subscriptions from cities, towns and
counties of the State; from individuals,
churches, and schools. The suggestion of
Chaplain NELL to the parsons, is good
one; but let everybody put his shoulder
to the wheel. Why should not the Board
of Commissioners of this County, or the
City Council of st. Paul, devote a $1,000
to this purpose. 1t will stimulate subscrip-
tiOns from other towns and counties in the
State; and commencement of the good
work is all that is needed.
The following is the article from tho
Minneapolis Atlas, which called forth the
structures of the Press:
But cannot refrain from remarking in this
connection, that the infamous swindle perpe-
trated upon the Regiment in the furnishing of
uniforms. was most painfully evident upon their
arrival here. Their shirts, pants and shoes
were ''as good as gone" when they reached
this city, and they will have to be refurnished
before they can ever take the field. If certain
distinguished gentlemen, whose duty it was to
procure uniforms for our brave volunteers.
will not think me too inqustive or impucent, I
would like to ask who it was that robbed them
of the clothes on their back, and the shoes .on
their feet; who it was that thus picked the
pockets of those noble fellows, who so cheer
fully tore themselves away from home and
friends to fight and die, if need be, for their
cOuntry's safety and honor? If certain gentle
men can spend the time, can forego their
Irregular business of rubbing their sore heads
and swearing about our Congressional delega-
ton and the federal appointments long enough
to furnish such information, and acW do 1t,
won't stop to inquire why the First Regiment
was sent off without sufficient camp equipage,
without baggage wagons, without ambulances
for the sick and wounded, all of which other
States have supplied, and for which the Fed.
eral Government pays the bills. l won't ask
our worthy Governor why our Regiment was
thus turned out of the State in such con-
dition, uncovered and uprovided for by the
State authorities as other State troops have
been, if l can only have an honest and truth
full answer to the question of aOhO stole them
naked ?