The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-12-12
Proclamation to the People Of Min
neSOta.


the public peace has been disturbed by the I'M
lawful attempt ola large body of citizens to seize
and put to death the unarmed and manacled
prisoners recently condemned to be hung for
their atrOcious crimes, and now in the custody
of the United States military authorities at
South Bend, awaiting the final order of the
President for their execution:
And WHEREAS it is further represented that
other combinations are forming with view to
a renewal of this rash and il-advsed under
taking, and thereby provoking collision with
the United States forces having the convicts in
charge:
Now, therefore, /, ALEXANDER RAMSEY, Gov
ernor of the State of Minnesota, with a view to
avert the disastrous consequences of such a col
lsion, and to preserve the public peace and the
good name and reputation of the people of this
State, do hereby call upon all citizens engaged
in these disorderly demonstrations, to desist
therefrOm.
The victims and the witnesses of the horrible
utrages perpetrated by the savages may con-
slider their sutferings and wrongs a justification
ofthis summary and high-handed method of re-
taliation. But the civilized world will not so
regard it. Enlightened public opinion will
everywhere condemn the vindictive slaughter of
these guilty but helpless and unarmed prison.
ers. The sober second thought of our own
people will recoil from it with horror. The in
fatuated perpetrators of it will bitterly regret
their gnominious share in the outrage, which.
if consummated, would inflict lasting disgrace
upon themselves and the State.
Death, indeed, is the least atOnement which
these savage miscreants can make for Their
dreadful crimes. But the greater the crime the
greater the need that its punishment should
carry with it the weight and sanction of public
authority.
1t is not the blind fury of a mob to which
Providence has entrusted the sword of public
justice. The lawlcss violence which would an
ticipate the course Of legal procedure by tie
massacre of these helpless prisoners in defiance
of the authorities, would deprive their punish
ment of all its legitimate effect.
Would it teach these savage men hereafter
to respect the authority of government thus
openly condemned and degraded by an act OF
bold defiance Oh the part of its citizens?
Or, will it add to the sense of security of life
on our frontier, to show that life is dependent
on the will of an irresponsible mob?
Hitherto the conduct of our citizens III the
midst OF the extreme provocations which they
have endured has been honorable to themselves
and to the State.
The captured Sioux, instead of being indis-
criminately slaughtered in the heat of passion.
as might have been expected, were conceded an
impartial trial by a military tribunal Those
found guilty of capital crimes We're condemned
to death, and now lay in durance awaiting the
order of the President for their execution.
Our people indeed have had just reason to
complain, ofthe tardiness ofexecutiye action in
the premises, but they ought to find some rea-
son for torbearance in the absorbing cares which
weigh upon the President.
The pressing and earnest representations re-
peatedly made to him from this Department OF
the necessity of proceeding promptly with the
execution of the condemned Indians have been
zealously sustained by the military and other
authorities.
The Agent sent out by the Government gave
the assurance upon his departure that he would
spare no effort to procure an order to that eff
feet. No official intimation has been received
that the President contemplatcs any other
course and his final determination of the matter
may therefore soon be expected
But whatever may be the decision of the
President it cannot deprive the people of this
State of their right OF justice or exempt the
guilty Indians of The doom they have incurred
under our local laws. # he should decline to
punish them the case will then clearly come
within the jurisdiction Of our civil court In a
month the State Legislature will assemble and
to them it may he safely left to provide for the
emergency.
appeal then 70 the good sense OF the pco-
pie to await patiently and peacefully the due
course of law. | entreat them not to throw
away the good name which Minnesota has
hitherto sustained by rash act of lawlessness
which is neither necessary to the ends of JUS
tice, of personal security, or even of private
vengeance; but which would be subversive of
public order and perpetual stigma upon the
community.
l entreat them, as good citizens having at
heart the public welfare, not to add to the in
jury which our young State has already sus-
tanned at home and abroad from its exposure to
savage violence, the worse and more permanent
injury which it would suffer in the estimation of
the world from the spectacle of barbaro,ls vio-
lence among our own citizens.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal of
the State, at the city of st. Paul, this
L. s. sixth day of December, A. d. 1862.
ALEXANDER RAMSEY.
By the Governor:
d. BLAKELY,
.ti Secretary of State.