The Goodhue volunteer. [volume] (Red Wing, Goodhue County, Minn.) 1861-1864, 1862-12-10
Proclamation to the People Of MINI,

|
WHEREAS, information has reached me
that the puplic peace has been disturbed by
the unlawful attempt Of large body o: Cit
lzens to seize and put to death the unarmed
and manacled prisoners recently condemned
to be hung for their atrocious crimes, and
now in custody Of the United States MILL
tary authorities at South Bend awaiting the
final order of the President for their execu.
ton
And whereas, it is furthe. represented
that other combinations are forming with a
; view to renewed of this rash and ill., advised
undertaking, and hereby provoking collis-
ion with the United States forces having
the convicts in charge
Now therefore, |, ALEXANDER RAMSEY,
Governor of the State of Minnesota, with
a viw to avert the disastrous consequences
of such collision, and to preserve the pub
lie peace and the good name and reputation
of the people Of this State, do hereby call
upon all citizens engaged in these disorder ly
demonstrations to dissist therefroln.
The victims and the witnesses Of the hor-
rible outrages perpetrated by tho savages
may consider their sufferings and wrongs,
a justification Of this summary and high.
handed method Of retaliation. But the civ
'l'zel world will not SO regard it. Enlight-
ened public opinion will everywhere con
denim the vindictive slaughter of the guilty
but unarmed prisoners. The sober seconed
thought Of our own people will recoil from
it with horror. The infatuated perpetrators
OF it will bitterly regret their ignominous
share in the outrage which if contaminated,
would intict lasting disgrace upon them
selves and the State.
Death, indeed, is tho least atorement
which these savage miscreants can mike for
their dreadful crimes. But the greater the
crime the greater the need that its punish
'nent should carry with it the weight and
sanction of public authority
It, is not the blind fury Of mob to which
Providence has intrusted the sword of pub.
lie justice. The lawless violence which
would anticipate the course of legn, proceed
ure BY the massacre of these helpless pris-
oners III defiance of the authorities, would
deprive their punishment of all its legitimate
effect.
Would it teach these savage men here
after to respect the authority of govern
ment thus openly condemned and deyrad cd
by an act Of bold defiance on the par. of its
citizens
Or, will it add to the sense Of security OF
life on our frontier, to show that life is de-
pendent on the will ofan irresponsible mob :
Hitherto the conduct OF our citizens in
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 in
discriminatory slaughtered in the hea. Of
passion as might have been expected, were
j., conceded an impartial trial by military tri
} bunal. Those found guilty of capital crimes
were condemned TO death and now lay ir
DURANGO awaiting the order Of the Presden,
; for their execution.
} Our people indeed have had just reason te
complain, OF the hardness of executive &C
, ton IN the premises. but they ought to find
. some reason Tor forbearance in the absorbing
cares which weigh upon the President.
The pressing and earnest representations
repeatedly made to him from this Depart
ment of the necessity OF proceeding prompt
" with the execution Of the condem ned In
, dams have been zealously sustained by tn;
, military and other authorities.
The Agent sent out by the Government
gave the assurance upon his departure thai
he would spare no effort to procure an orde
TO that effect. No official inti.nat,on ha
been received that the President contem
: plates any other course and his final deter
l m'nat'on OF the matter may therefore soor
he expected.
But whatever may be the decision O.. tn
President it cannot deprive the people O
this State Of their right to justice or ex
empt the guilty Indians Of the doom the,
have incurred under our local law. If h
" should decline to punish them the case vii
J. then clearly come within the jurisdiction q
e our civil courts. In . month the State Leg
?. ,slsture will assemble and to them it ma,
, b safely left to provide for the emergency
appeal then to the good sense of tn
people to await patiently and peacefully til
due course Of law. I entreat them not t
throw away the good name which Minneso
- has hitk"rto sustained by 4 rash act {
tawlessness which is neither necessary (
Elhs ends Of justice Of personal security o
ltvsn ofprivste vengeance but which woul,
b subvers'se Of public order aud perpe,u
8 Il stigma upon the community. .z's -
lentreat them as good Citizens having 4
heart the public welfare, not to add to til
J. injury which our young State has alreaei
Sustained q home and abroad from its ex
= Iposurs to savage violence the worse an
more permanent injury which il would sui
fer in the estimation Of the world from tn
spectacle of barhaross violence among on
own citi1na ...,, >~ n 5, S@.s
Given under NY hand and the Grss
Seal Of ths STATE. 1E ~ s=.@E=% - al
q the city Of Sc. Paul. this nix,
,s f. day Of December, A. .. 1862.
~ Isl : -S.rs .zv AIxxAxpE1 RAAsKY.
,ot ~ By Tie Govsrnor y. - s