The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-07-01
The /" Press ,, and the Indian
SVVfndle.

The State journals are thoroughly exec
rating the Press for its attempts to de-
fend its moccasin friends, and the grand
swindle connected with the removal of the
Chippewas, which was fortunately nipped
by the exposure Of the scheme, and which
cannot be resuscitated. A tender feeling
Ofsympathy for our contemporary, no less
than want of room, forbids the republica-
ton of all the scorching words be-
slowed ON the Press, for its course in this
matter, but we cannot forbear quoting a
few sentences from an elaborate article in
the St Cloud Democrat of the 22d instant,
toshow that the Press las not succeeded
III cOnceaIing its motives
Our principal objection to this treaty has al
ways been that the editor of the Press was one
of the party that accompanied Senator Ram
sey Here was certainly sufficient material for
any quantity of skulduggery. But he mistOOk
his man. Senator Ramsey's purpose was not
to swindle either the Indians or the Govern
ment; SO that there was no chance for hang
ers-on to fill their pockets with "drOppings -
11cuCt tut UltLtI OppOSIIlOu vi VIC fTeSS 10 tuIS
treaty and its filings at Senator Ramsey.
This was not the case with the new Chippe-
wa scheme The nice little sum of $3.50, 900
was to be divided among few artful workers.
and the Press for certain reasons Of its own, ~
was delighted, and could not restrain its ex-
pressiOns Of joy at the benefits that would
result from the new treaty to the people of
the frontier"
The wishes of the people of hslf State can
not be trampled on by an unscruplouS sheet,
and cabal of Indian officials and politicians
who have worn out in advance of their aspi-
ratiOns.
In another article the Democrat touches
on the "colloquy printed in the Press
on Sunday last, and remarks that it is
considered never-failing symptom of
mental alteration when persons talk to
themselves" The Democrat adds:
This conversation is rambling, fatuous and
unintelligible. From a few disjOinted SEN
fences we should judge that the Press sees In
dams Indian ponies and canoes passing in re-
view before it; it sees the nice little prize of
$4,000 from transportation slip from its
grasp; and it chatters about roads, subsis-
tence, &c
IL is certainly sad to see talent thus wrecked.
Still, it is not to be wondered at No one
brain could possibly do what this has attempt
ed-to make Grants Buffers and Sherman
operations agree with its predictions to nan
age the internal affairs of entire State, lift
ing up and striking down such men as it
chose; and lastly, while pretending to be the
organ of great and honest party, to def nd
an outrageous, bare faced swind,e. Heavy
strategy and big swindle proved too much for
even the Press intellect.
That paper engaged in great Indian swim
die, and now, in the peculiar state of its mind,
it talks to itself about Indians though rather
i'll q melancholy tone, especially when men
tioning the $4,000.
We have noticed with unaffected regret,
some Of the late symptoms of insanity in
our contemporary, and have endeavored to
avoid any remarks calculated in the
least to irritate him, but without avail.
We saw that he was a monomaniac on
strategy" and therefore dropped the
subject, in the hope that he would be
Quoted down little, but he has followed
it up during the whole week, raving
necessarily about his predictions" and
their fulfillment-and of the PIONEER
With this exposition of the unfortunate
condition of our contemporary, we trust
the State journals will perceive the neces-
sity Of dealing gently with him.