The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-09-18
A Complimentary Dinner to Major
General John Pope.

"A complimentary Dluhcr 10 M"Jor
General John Pope.
We learn that it is in contemplation to
tender public dinner to Major General
JOHN POPE, commanding the Department
of the Northwest. This testimonial will
be offered by a number of our most esti-
mable citizens, with the same spirit, and in
the same terms, that similar tender was
made by them to the same distinguished
chief, in the latter part of last May. With
clear prescience, it was foreseen, even
then, that when his genius came to have
practical illustration and scope in cam
paign, the sanguinary Sioux would suffer
extreme humiliation, and peace, with all
its blessings, would brood, smilingly, like
snow-white cloud, over all our western
frontier. That campaign has been marched,
even if it has not been fought; and we
have the official and unimpeachable testi-
mony of Major General john PORE, him.
self, as despatched to the General-in- Chief,
at Washington, that Indian hostilities,
this side of the Missouri, may be considered
at an end"
1t is true, that more citizens have been
murdered by the Sioux, "this side of the
Missouri" since Major General PORE
penned the above dispatch, than were killed
in action, through "Indian hostilities, ("
during the whole campaigns duration; but
we can't see that such fact should have
any practical weight, in the face of the
Generals declaration, that, Indian hos
tili.ies, this side of the Missouri, may be
considered at an end"
1t is also true, that the incorrigible
Sioux, who were driven across the Mis-
souri,, but who wont seem to stay where
they are put, actually followed the great
expedition on it's return to the settlements,
and frequently occupied its camps in full
sight of the rear guard, rendering it ne
cessary to resort to intrenchments at night
until the Sheyenne was crossed but we
don't see what the inference from all this
has to do with the positive statement of Maj.
General POPE, that, "Indian hostilities
this side of the Missouri, may be consider
ed at an end"
For ourself, we throw all such facts and
differences to the dogs and we have no
doubt the gentlemen who propose to hon.
Or General POPE by public dinner, will
throw them to the dogs, likewise. 1t is
enough for US, as it will be for them, to
know, that Major General Pope has Off
cially put in requisition the quick light
ming to convey to Major General HALLEoK,
and the country, the glad tidingS, that,
{" Indian hosiilities, this side of the Mis-
souri,, may be considered at an end"
Such being the official fact, regularly
transmitted to the War Department, and
remaining there as testimony in its ar
chives, it will be conceded that the pro-
posed tender of public dinner to the il
lustrious author of the dispatch is equally
appropriate and deserved. The tender
will, of course, run as follows:
The undersigned, citizens of St. Paul, very
respectfully tender you their thanks for the
manner in which you have managed the affairs
of this Northwestern Department. &C., &c.
THE balance Of the formulary can be found in
the Press, of May goth, 1868.
We hope to be pardoned one SUCCESS
ton, inasrnuch as it is made from lively
desire that nothing may occur to mar the
festivities of the joyful occasion, when
"digestion shosld wait on appetite, and
health on both" When, after the re-
moval of the cloth, toasts shall be in order,
and the first shall be proposed
To the iAustrious Warrior, Major General
JOHN PorE-Through whose wonderful STRAIT
egic genius ''Indan hostilities, this side of the
Missouri, may be considered at an end
we hope no stupid messenger, fresh
from the horrible scene of some late mas
sacre, may Obtrude his unwelcome pres
ence and message upon the festive throng,
at least, until Major General JOHN Pope
shall have had his half hour, in which to
portray the glories of the Sioux campaign
of 1868, and to state the grounds for his
belief, that, "Indian hostilities, this side
of the Missouri, may be considered at an
end"