The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-09

still adhered to the fortunes of Little Grow
fed to the plains and sought protection
among the kindred tribes of the West.
Forts Ridgley and Abercrombie have been
relieved from impending danger by the
prompt exertions of our forces.
The threatning aspect Of the Chippewas
has yielded to more pacific counsels,
and the soil of our State is no longer pol
luted by the stealthy tread ofhostile bands.
AS the annals of savage warfare afford
no parallel to this raid of the Dakotas, in
the indiscriminate slaughter, the fiendish
outrage and demoniac frenzy which have
characterized their bloody atrocities, SO
also we may search our early colonial rec
ords in vain for an outbreak of this magni-
tude, which has been so promptly and
effectually quelled.
Returning peace and security have
revisited all our borders. A Gordon
of infantry stationed within easy commune
cation, guards our extensive frontier, and
regiment of cavalry well mounted and
equipped awaits the opening of early spring
to dash across the plains and visit a swift
vengeance npon the few who have escaped,
in the asylums to which they have retreated.
AN INDIAN POLICY.
But while a sense of perfect security
from all outrage, now pervades our most
exposed frontiers, while the sword of the
military power is suspended above the
heads of the offenders, the occurrences of
the last few months have taught our peo-
pie new demands, and the authorities of
the State and Nation new theories of Indi-
an treatment and government.
The absolute and immediate removal of
these savages beyond our borders has be-
come. en- imperative social necessity.
The moral and physical safety of the In
dian urges it :: the rising fortunes of our
State require it !; and the united voice of
our people demand it.
The recognition of these savages as in
dependent nations, competent to declare
war, to make laws for their own guidance,
and to hold and dispose of property, has
always been fraud upon the Indians. 1t
is an attempt to raise these ignorant say
ages to position, to which their wild and
rowing habits and their child-like ignorance
necessarily units them, and while afording
abundant opportunity for the frauds of
the designing has taught the Indian only
arrogance in his demands, contempt for
the authority, and q suspicion Of the integ-
rity of the Government.
1t is at least certain, that the existence
Of tribes Of barbarians, as Independent ma
lions within the territorial limits Of state,
in the tracts of country carved out of the
most beautiful portion of its territory, sur
rounded by populous communities and
busy towns and villages. over which an
independent jurisdiction exerts its authori-
ty and within whose limits all State laws
are nugatory, cannot continue without Sc
riOus injury to the growth and prosperity,
of the rising community within whose linz
its they are located.
TO prompt and vigorous effort to Sc
cure the termination of this state of affairs,
the attention of the Legislature is earnestly
solicited
Among the captives taken by Colonel
Sibley were many Of the most remOrseless
assassins of our citizens those who led
the attack at New Ulm and Fort Ridgley
and whose hands were deeply imbrued in
the blood of women and children. OF
these some three hundred men We're tried
and convicted by IL military commission
promptly organized. A detachment of
these, thirty-eight in number, have received
by order of the President merited pun
ishment for their attrociOus crimes. The
remainder are still prisoners
The nervous anxiety Of our people in
reference totheir execution land conviction
that justice and policy demanded it, in
duced me twice to telegraph the President
as follows
STATE OF MINNESOTA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
SAINT PAUL, Nov. 9th, 1862.
TO His Eccelteacy tile President:
l hope that the execution of every Sioux Indian
condemned by the military court, will be at
dered. 1t would be wrong upon principle and policy
to refuse this Private revenge would all the bor
ier take the place of official Judgment these In
Hans
ALEX RAMSEY,
Governor.
STATE OF MINNESOTA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
SAINT PAUL, Nov. IS, 1862. (
the President of tile United States:.
Nothing but the speedy execution of the tried and
convicted Sioux Indians will u.s. here from scenes
outrage. If you prefer it, turn them over to me
nd will order their execution.
ALEX. RAMSEY,
Governor
What action, if any, may be advisable
)n the part Of the State with reference to
hose convicted and still in durance, and
such others as may be found, on trial, to
have participated in the outrages upon
our people, will afford matter for your care
full consideration.
The relation which these tribes sustain
to the State and National government has
ever been fruitful topic Of discussion by
courts and legislatures. And after the lapse
of years, the precise line which separates
the action of the State and National SOW
ereignties, in their relations in peace and
war, with the Indian nations within their
borders cannot, perhaps, be regarded as
definitely settled.
The exclusive power to regulate COM
merceand under and with reference to this,
to control all ordinary intercourse with
them, must be conceded to congress. 1t
may also be admitted that the power to
declare and conduct war, and of conse-
quence the right to deal with all persons
taken in arms against the nation, as prison
ers ofwar, care, with one important exception,
also vested in the nation. If this be true, it
i. c.lI La il