St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1862-12-11
PROCLAMATION TO THE PEOPLE CT
MINNESOTA. ~'5 5a

| o w HEREAS, ln1OrmatlOn mas reacned me
that the public peace has been disturbed
by the unlawful attempt Of a large body
Of citizens to seize and put to death the
unarmcd and manacled prisoners recently
condemned to be hung for their atrocious
crimes, and now in the custody Of the Uni
ted States military authorities at South
Bend awaiting the final order of the Pres
ident for their execution
And whereas, it is further represented
that other combinations are forming with
q view to a renewal Of this rash and ill.,
advised undertaking, and thereby provok-
ing collision with the United States for
ces having the convicts in charge
Now therefore, I, ALExANDEB RAM
sEY, Governor of the State of Minnesota
with view to avert the disastrous consc-
quences Of such collision, and to pre-
serve the public peace and the good name
and reg ntatiop Of the people Of this State,
do hereby call upon all citizens engaged il
these disorderly demonstrations, to des,st
therefrom.
The victims and the witnesses Of the
horrible outrages perpetrated by the sava-
ges may consider their sniferings and
wrongs. q justification Of this summary
and hiyh-handed method of retaliation.-
But the civilized world will not so regard
it. Enlightened public opinion will eve
rywhcre condemn the vindictive slaughter
Of these guilty and unarmcd prisoners.-
The subcr second thought Of our own pco-
plc will recoil fem it with horror. The
infatua ei perpetrators Of it will bitterly
regret their icnominions share in the out
rage which. it consummated. would inflict
lasting disgrace npon themselves and the
State.
Death. ind,ed, is the least atorement
which these savage. miscreants can make
for their dreadful crimes But the great
er the crime the greater the reed that it's
punishment should carry with it the
weight and sanction Of public authority
It is not the blind fury o! mob to
which Providence has entruste ed the sword
Of public justice. The iawless violence
which would anticipate the course Of legal
procedure by the massacre of these help
less prisoners IN defiance Of tha authori-
ties would deprive their punishment of all
its legitimate effect.
Would it teach these savage men here
after to respect the authority Of a govern
ment thus openly co"temned and degrad
I'd by an act Of bold Defiance on the part
Of its citizens?
Or, will it add to tie sense OF security
IF life on oul frontier, to show tina, life is
dependent OH the will Of AL irresponsible
'mob?
Hitherto the conduct Of our citizens in
| !Nt MIAoI W 1hc CH3ICti' flo"'"ot1o"a
which they have endured has been honor
atle to themselves aud t. the State .,
The captured Sioux, instead Of being
indiscriminatelj slaughtered in the heat
of passion US might have been expected
were conceded All impartial trial BY mil
itary tribunal Those found guilty OF cap
ital crimes were 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, Of the tardincss Of executive
action in the premises, but they ought to
6uu some reason for forbearance in the ab.
sorbipy vares which weigh upou the Pres.
jident.
/ The pressing and earnest representations
repeatedly made to him from this Depart.
ment Of the necessity Of proceeding
promptly with the execution Of the con
dem.ed Indians have been zealously sus.
tanned by tie military and other authori'
ties. ,..ft....-.t.. -
The Agfus sent out by The Government
gaze the assurance upon his departure
that he would spare no effort to procure
an order to that effect. No official int
nation has been received that the Pes:
dent contemplates any other course and
his 6nal determination Of the matter ma,
therefore soon bs expected. :, -
But whatever may be the decision o
the President it cannot. deprive the people
Of this St.te Of their right tojustice or sz
empt the guilty Indians.ef the doom the.
have incurred. under our local laws. lfh'
should decliue 70 punish them the cas-