The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1863-02-28

several weeks ago in the Boston " Consrs-
gdtiomahst,' and was thence copied into
the Ottawa Republican and a number Of
other blgoted papers, glorying in the de-
struetion of New Ulm, Minnesota, by the
Indians, and the massacre of its women
and children, because, as the article al
frmed, the inhabitants were German luil-
deis, has brought out sharp reply from
a number of exiics from New Ulm now in
Chicago. The reply appears in tho Ill
.StaatSzicta,.y OF Feb. -. As full transla-
ton would occupy over column IN our
paper, we give only the substance:
In answer to the first statement of the
article in question, that it was u funda-
mental agreement in laying out the town,
that no churches should be built there,
and that If any minister should undertake
to preach the Gospel there he should be
hanged or pitched into the river, the
authors of this reply state that, On the
contrary, two churches were in process OF
erection at the time the place was destroy
ed, and that religious meetings had been
held, and Ihe Gospel preached there regu-
larly almost from the foundation of the
town; also that SO far from being hanged,
no minister was ever insulted or i'll treated
there. Perfect freedom of conscience pre-.
vailed, and all shades of religious belief ;
but in one thing they were all united, and
that was in the support of public schools,
oc ;ot, IaI
tirely 10y voluntary contribution-the best
schools in the State, and the pride and
glory of the settlement
Again, as to the Sunday amusements Of
the people consisting of drinking, dancing
&c, the exiles in reply appeal to intelli-
gent Americans who have visited the place
for proof that the people knew how to
respect the Sabbath, and keep it in IA
ticnal way. 1t was not enough, they say,
that the Government had, by breaking its
contract with the Indians, brought upon
the innocent settlers their vengeance, but
they must also be traduced, that neither
the government or public liberality may
to some extent relieve their distress from
the loss Of their all-property, homes, and
kindred
That an image--of our Savior was pub
lIcly burnt in the streets Of New Clpl
shortly before The Indian attack, or ever
is pronounced simply an Infamous false
hood. The author of this faIsehood is
careful not TO mention other settlements
that were destroyed by the Indians, as
that Of River Creek, consisting entirely OF
pious Methodists-ihe FIRST to bleed from
the knife Of the savage. Here the Sunday
was kept in true Methodist style, yet they
suffered in greater degree tEe retribution
which was visited Ga the settlers OF New
Uim only for their wickedness.
So they repel with Indignation the as
sertion that the people of New Tim, when
attacked by the indians, sLulAed from
its defence ike towards. This se4adaIous
falscLood Is contradicted by the soldiers
! who came 10 their relief, and by every
! military report, in which. the same uniform
testimony IS borne TO the bravery Of its
inhabitants. This fllsehood is OF piece
with the whole article. which is bu. a
miserable ebuilition 8! religious hate,
without q word Of truth for its foundation
The authors of the reply are not sur
prised that Boston bigotTy ana noaiignity
conceived such all article; bat they d. ex
press their establishment that Western
papers, elain.ing responsibility, should give
it currency.
The people Of New Tin a-e in want
half the population that were spared are
exiles from their homes and kindred,
living, we believe, on the bounty of their
! friends or the public. They need aid
one Of the protestant Sunday Schools of
this city, at least, propose TO give their
Easter offering TO the Minnesota sufferers.
The only object Of the scandalons article
referred to could have been 10 prejudice
the public and closets sympathies against
a.fording the mUcI! needed relief