The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-02
Philanthropy ANO sTRYcHNlNE.
CAPT. FISK'S EXPEDITION.

The Albany Argus of the 22nd
has the following article, regard
ing the poisoning of Indians by
some OF the members of Can't FrsK's
Expedition. The attempt to hold Can't
FISK or the Government responsible for
this measure Of determination, is sb-
surd. Capt. FISK knew nothing of the
poisoning plan until a days march had
been made, and nothing of the result
until bis return to Fort Rice. The indig.
nation Of the Albany paper is amusing to
Western people, who generally approve of
any means to get rid of the red devils.
From the Albany Argus, Nov. 22nd.
Some time ago the public attention was
aroused by the following extract from a
dispatch dated
Sr. PAUL, Mimi, Nov. IA.
Capt. Fisk has arrived here. He reports
having killed number of indians with bullets.
and one hundred men, women and children
with hard tack, saturated with strychnine."
The coolpess and Inconsistencies with
which the statement was made by the press
presented curious problem but could the
statement itself be true? We confess we look.
ed with some interest upon our northwestern
papers to learn if it were so 1t is substantially
true Capt. Fisk was the head of an expedi.
uOn-a government officer with detachment
OF troops, acting as convoy to q party of emf
grants on the overland route west He had
supreme authority over the party. The cara
van was attacked by hostile Indians The
wagon train had guard of soldiers, some
hnVUif i'm cd hor
of Indians varied, rising to 800 In the long
skirmish we lost twelve men, and two were
wounded the Indians lost 100 The emigrants
threw bread, poisoned by strychnine, in the
way of the pursuing savages and 100 men, wo-
men and children persisted by eating it. This
number was in addition to those who fell in
the fight. In all, by poison and bullets, 200,
out Of 800. The poisoning took place on the
second day and was done by "some of the
emigrants." But who doubts that the CON-
mander of the expedition is responsible for it
In the Sioux war the government has tolerated,
justified and participated in measures towards
the ''savages" which would justify the transfer
of that designation 10 ourselves
1t is true that these means have been re-
sorted to against cruel and remorseless foe,
which recognizes none Of the rules of civilized
warfare and has right to expect none of its
fOrbcarances But what O commentary upon
the professions of the administration to look
upon men without regard to color or race, and
to esteem all as equal. The murder of woman
and children by poison, and the hanging of
prisoners of war by the score, under presiden-
tial authority belle these professions.
If these poor Indians had been black, how
the hearts of the administration would have
been reused! What texts for denunciation,
what appeals to passion, to sympathy, TO hate
would have been made. But as it relates only
to the copper. colored children of the soil, the
philanthropists will shipper over it, the divines
will complacently read it, and admire the en-
| ergy of Capt. Fisk and the feast of strichnine
will stand in the way of no true believers ap-
petite at his Thanksgiving board. The men,
women and clergymen who admired Butler
will adore Fisk. To treat the ladies' of the
south las women of the town playing their
VOCATION" was a step below that of treating
| the women and children of the plains with
bread favored with strychnine. Let Butler
step from his pedestal, and Fisk assume his
place as the idol Of philanthropists.