The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-11-14
" Oh, Pope! Pope! What Have you
DOne?S

We essay difficult task when we under
take to answer the query put forth in the
first line of the stanza, which heads this
article. 1t would be comparatively easy
to state what PORE has not done; for it
would only be necessary to state the reverse
of the acts which ought to have been per-
formed by the commander of this Depart
ment He has not managed affairs so as
to inspire the people with confidence in
himself, or in their own security. He has
had force of brave men in the field, will
ling and anxious to do their duty there;
but he has not furnished them with sup
plies,-for the lack of which they have
been obliged to retire back seventy five
miles upon the settlements, leaving the
great bulk of the Sioux UNPUBLISHED, and
even unpursued.
But, POPE has done two things.
And, the first, in order of time, if not of
importance, is, the building of line of
telegraph from the corner of Wabashaw
and Third streets to the International Ho-
tel. We suppose his prime object in erect
ing this line, was, to demonstrate before
our people his talents as an Engineer-to
which branch of the service he belongs,
and in which he takes natural, and,
therefore, commendable pride. A sec
ond consideration, and a very tender and
humane one,-may have been to save bis
military assistants the Onerous labor of
carrying his Geographic messages full
half mile of distance, and at full average
of twice a day. A third consideration
and very shrewd one, and which would
show POPE to be fine strategist, may
have been that, with the wires in his own
office. he would know all that was passing
over them, whether intended for him or
not and full information is one of the
very first requisites to military success.
This thing, then, whatever may have been
his purpose, PORE has actually done; and
we cheerfully give him full credit for all
the ability and enterprise displayed in its
accomplishment.
The second, is, the fitting up, with
stoves, and carpets, and all the comfort
able contrivances of modern civilization, of
a secluded retreat directly in the rear Of
the International Hotel In this structure
it may be safely said, Major General
Pope has displayed taste almost epicu-
rean in its refined elegance; though the
class of talents employed belongs to the
civil more than to the military line-being
that of the Architect rather than the En-
gineer. Major Generals must eat, the
same as civilians; and it is mistaken idea
that military gentlemen, even Of that high
rank, can rely solely and safely on Insen-
sible Perspiration. And, as it is q point
of etiquette that Major Generals do not sit
at the same table with the common herd,
we see no reason why the dignities of the
office should not be preserved through all
the remote consequences, as well as the
immediate incidents, of eating.
Two things, therefore, we confidently
assert, Major General PORE has done, and
done well. He has built half mile of
telegraph, and a chatelet-both at the
government expense, and furnished the
latter with all the modern improvements.
Whether these achievements are dearly
paid for, at the rate of elere" t4omsond
dollars q month, which the government
disburses to the Major General and his
Staff, is not the question at the head of
this article; and it is a question, there
fore, that we do not feel called upon to
answer.
First Congressional Districs.