The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-08-14

books, (their Bible is not as good print, }
most of them did not know letter nine
months ago. The visitor will now see
them engaged at different times and places
reading out of the Bible or Bunyan; work
ing away at the beginnings on the slate
or in the primer: singing hymns as they
best know how, or altogether; holding re-
ligious services under the guidance of their
elders. Or at another time you will see
them at work about the camp, cleaning It
or digging wells about it, and doing their
worl, cheerfully and well. All those in
charge of them testify to their orderly
conduct and cheerful obedience. Thus
they have had all due consideration from
their keepers until very recently. Lately,
Brig. Gen Roberts, commanding III the
district OF Iowa, has ordered them to be
deprived OF bread, of all amusements, and
Of religious instruction. 1t is well to have
it known that they made no complaint at
any OF Those orders, though they have OF
course felt them keenly. -(or DO We
say anything concerning tie cuttiug oil
OF their bread ratiOns or the prohibiting OF
all amu>ementS, but their deprivation OF
religious privileges i, Il different thing,
and touches the interests Of others beside
these Indians 1t is a stroke against re
ligious liberty.
The day before, still ANOTHER restriction
had been placed upon their religious in
struction As most Of these indians have
been converted since the Indian rebellion,
and were OppOSerS before, they have had
little opportunity TO become acquainted
with ''lhe service OF snny in the house Of
the Lord in connection with the mission
services, and DR.. Williamson, deeming
sacred song an Indispensable means OF
spiritual growth, but being unable to in
s,rucr tae.n himself, sent to ihe writer for
assistance in this work The assistant
came from Lockport, Illinois, near Chica-
90, TO perform this special service--to
teach them the use OF their hymn books
that they might worship God the better
But no pass into the prison could be OBJ
tanned. Neither the first request nor the
earnest entreaty III DR.. Williamson HIM
self was listened to, but promptly and
positively refused, OH The ground that DR..
Williamson Ieeded no assistance, and all
umuseme,ais were forbidden them. The
next day the missionary himself was ex-
cluded by order of the General.
Such orders are supported by the un-
founded assertions that they are guilty of
the highest crimes and most revolving bar
barities, and therefore are not to have
sympathy nor convenience they are
criminals, and therefore have no rights
whatsoever, nor can any mercy be ex-
tended to them SuppOsing these prem
ises true, the proceedings based upon them
seem yet altogether out OF the way
Though man by crime may be cut off
from rights OF worldly pleasures and free
intercourse with his fellow there are
other rights of which he can never be
lawfully deprived The relations of q
SHINING soul to its God should ever be in
violate To learn of Christ, to repent, to
seek an Inheritance in the world to come,
are rights yet pertaining to the yilest
criminal And those things necessary to
the finding and advancing in the way of
the new lite-exercises of prayer, of song,
of reading Gods Word. and hearing it
preached, are equally undeniablo rights.
If their sentence had been, without ben
eft of clergy" the general commanding
would have no option but to do as he has
done As it is, he has, in Christian age
and le himself protesting Christian, gone
back to barbarous age ior the spirit and
idea of an order altogether heathenish
1t can but meet with Il protest in every
truly Christian heart.
The case OF these Indian rebels, now
Christians and penitents, should excite III
teHest in their behalf everywhere, but es
pecially among those who through ths
American Board, have labored and pray
ed for their good. We should see to il
that now, when they have turned to God
and are yet leebly struggling into clearer
light, they be not given up to the wicked
usurpations of ignorant and conceitee
men, having temporary rnle over them
Rather let Us insure the final approval O
our Lord, because that ''when sick and il
! prison we visited" him, in the person o
these his lowly disciples
And this order should not merely excite
the protest of our Christian sympath;es
but make us watchful in behalf of reliy
ious liberty. In this direction it affects
every one alike. 1t is true that this sum
mary and barbarous order of Brigade
General Roberts, affects directly but yer,
few people, but, because of the principle
involved, it affects all who prize that right
eous freedom to the defence Of which W
have pledged our fortunes and our lives.
\. L. RIGGS.
Davenport Iowa july 21 1868.