Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-08-29
white Men at the Bottom Ofths Minnesota

Atrocities.
From the 81. Paul Press, Aug. a.
A careful consideration Of the evidence
which has accumulated 50 far, in connec-
hon with the Indian massacres, forces
upon us the conviction that the lohite men
are at the bottom Of it.
The evidence taken before the coroner's
inquest, held Of Acton, in Meeker county,
shows upon the testimony Of one Of the
women who escaped, that shortly after
the Indians left White man came along,
following in the track Of the Indians.
The woman called him in, showed him the
FIVE dead bodies-men and women-lying
upon the floor. he laughed, and said,
they haze got the nose bIesdP He follow
ed on after the Indians.
Again, we are informed that Nelson
Roberts, well known TO many Of our
readers, has stated that for week past,
Dhits -Missourians-haye been among
the Indians. Without doubt they were
emissaries, sent among them to stir them
up to vile deeds.
Moreover, it seems to us that the whole
character Of the present outbreak indi-
Gates the presence Of some directing in
telligence Of higher order than that Of
the Indian
The fact that remote tribes like the
Yanktonnais and the Cut Heads are NOV
ing in concert, indicate this.
The fact that a large force, said to
number two Thousand, have attacked
fortified artillery post, like Fort Ridgely,
indicates this. Such an attack is without
any precedent in Indian history that now
occurs to US.
The fact that the Indians are butcher
ing missionaries who have spent their
lives among them, and who in ordinary
disturbances would possess great influence
over them, shows that from some cause
they have been excited TO a terrible degree
Of bitterness and ferocity. They are, it
seems, even slaughtering the half-breeds
Of their own tribe.
In addition to these evidences, we have
any number of rumors, all pointing in the
same direction.
We are forced to the conclusion that
this outbreak is part Of deliberately con-
certed plan-that its purpose is TO embar-
rass and distract the general Government
by alarming it for the safety of its north
western frontier, and requiring the re-
tention here of a large number of troops
who might otherwise be differently en-
gagged.
If further development of the facts in
the case proves this view to be correct, we
trust it will tend to enlighten the public
mind as to the character of the foe with
whom the nation is now engaged.
A fact of the utmost significance in con-
nection with this subject came to our
knowledge some time since, and in view of
the efforts made in some directions to throw
the blame upon Indian Agents we deem it
a duty to advert to it. 1t shows that the
feeling of the Indians, from whatever
source it has originated, has, in certain
quarters been diligently fostered.
A Senator Of this State-a gentleman of
unquestioned and unquestionsble veracity
travelling on one of the Minnesota river
steamboats,, two months ago, overheard a
person, formerly an Indian official under
Buchanan's administration, near relative
of a recent chief functionary in the Indian
Department Of this State, in a eonversa-
ton with a Mr. Spencer, an Indian Trader
on the Sioux Reservation, and others, ap-
parently traders, make use, insubstance, Of
the following language:
"If knew the Indian language, and
understood the Indian character as we'll as
you fellows, would make the reservation
SO hot that it wouldn't hold Galbraith."
Here, evidently, is one Of the germs Of
systematic attempt on the part of the ousted
Office holders under Buchanan, to foster
the discomfort among the Indians that have
at last burst forth in the terrible massacre
the ruin, the desolatiOn, which have
overwhelmed our frontier settlements
We have collateral evidence in support of
this view of the case; and although, in
Justice to human nature, we may aoquit
the author Of this infamous suggestion Of
any intention to bring about the horrible
atrocities which have marked its adoption,
he and his wicked co-laborers must still be
responsible in fearful degree for the black
catalogue Of murder and crime which has
80 shocked and startled the country.
In another article, the Press shows that
the story that these troubles have been
provoked by delay in the payment of an
nuities to the Indians is entirely false-no
such cause of complaint having existed.