The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume], January 15, 1864, Image 8

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

Image provided by: Minnesota Historical Society; Saint Paul, MN

                
H
aooordingly opened Inst September, bat
for mates alone, for want of a sufficient
appropriation, in a building hired for the
purpose, under the auspices of an experi
enced gentleman, and with flattering prom
ise of sucoess. The care and education
of this unfortunate class of our people, is
a sacred trust which this State will never
hesitate to acoept and discharge, much less
abandon after having entered upon the
work. The amount asked by the com
missioners for the ensuing year is $4,100,
which seems to me a reasonable estimate,
and I recommend the appropriation
It is hardly creditable to our State that
no steps have yet been taken towards es
tablishing an asylum for the indigent In
sane, and that we are dependent upon the
charity of a neighboring State for the
means of providing temporary relief for a
limited number of these unfortunates. We
are also warned that the only State which
gave a favorable response to our applica
tion to receive the Insane of this State will
soon have no room in its asylum for our
use; so that, unless you make some pro
vision for their relief, this afflicted class of
our population, demanding your warmest
sympathy and tenderest care, will be left
to suffer on miserably and hopelessly. It
is high time that Minnesota should take
some steps dictated by Christian civilization
and humanity, towards establishing, build
ing up «nd fostering such asylums and
charitable institutions, as are the pride and
enduring glory of her sister States of this
Union.
I ask your favorable consideration of the
recommendation of the Auditor of State,
that one mill of the tax for school purposes
should be transferred to the general reve
nue fund for the support of the insane, and
the blind, and deaf mutes.
I desire here to add my own commend
tion to the oft-repeated inculcations of my
predecessor, whose unceasing devotion to
the welfare ot the State, and vigilant zeal
in establishing and upholding its financial
honor and credit, as well as his energetic
and successful labors in developing and
organizing the patriotism of our people on
the breaking out of the war, made his ad
ministration an era in our history, and to
urge upon the legislature the policy of re
serving the swamp lands tor the support
of benevolent institutions, and resist all
attempts to squander them on enterprises
which, however useful, can always find
adequate support in other directions.
The Reports of the Warden and Inspec
tors of the State Prison give a satisfactory
exhibit of the condition, and an assurance
of the excellent management of that in
stitution. I feel it my duty to join in the
recommendation of the Inspectors for an
appropriation sufficient to complete the
cells in the new building erected by your
authority last summer.
Conspicuous among the harbingers of
rejoicing which usher in the new year i 3
the improved condition of our frontier.
The tempest of savage violence which se
venteen months ago burst over the de
fenceless settlements of our western bor
der, has, for the present, and it is to be
hoped permanently, subsided.
Though the expeditions under Generals
Sibley and Sully failed, partly at least
from causes beyond their control, to ac
complish all the results which were ex
pected from the magnitude of the prepara
tions, or to inflict upon our savage enemies
the full punishment which their atrocious
crimes deserve, they have, by the formid
able and imposing armament which, not
withstanding unusual and almost insur
mountable natural obstacles, pursued them
to the banks of the Missouri River, and by
the gallant bearing ot our troops, who, in
the few opportunities afforded them, dis
played those qualities of valor which the
training of the savage teaches them to
fear and respect, at least been taught their
inability to resist the power or escape the
sleepless vengeance of the Government,
from whose armies they have fled in the
vain attempt to elude the consequences of
their unprovoked cruelties. Hunger and
destitution have followed like avenging
angels upon the traok of the fugitive assas
sins, to insure the punishment left incom
plete by the forces sent out against them.
In all probability many of them will perish
this winter from cold and starvation, and
it should not be forgotten that, under the
circumstances, the destruction of large
quantities of provisions and clothing upon
which they had relied for their winter’s
support and protection, by the troops un
der Generals Sibley and Sully, must be re
garded as scarcely less fatal to them than
the more sudden and sanguinary havoc of
the sword. «
Without the means of replenishing their
exhausted supplies of ammunition, it may be
presumed that they are in no condition to re
new the war in force upon our frontier settle
ments while our present attitude of defence is
maintained. But there can be no complete
security for our border population until these
of murderers are confined within limits
rendered impassible by the powerful arm of our
government, or extirpated from the face of the
earth.
Ite v.gonfus prosecution of hostilities
against these Indiana is as indespensable to the
safety.ol our border, as the maintenance of a
strong and vigilant defensive guard on the line
of outposts now established by the Military
Deportment of tins District. Experience has
already taught us that the very wretchedness
ot their condition, supplies them with motives
stronger even than the savage lust of revenge
for marauding excursions upon our settlements
with a view to plunder and murder. Scarcely
had the forces of the expedition under General
Sibley been withdrawn from our frontier gar
risons, before a small hind of Indians number
ing less than a score, led by Little Crow, ad
vaueed stealthily into the heart of our settle
ment and scattering in different directions be
gan a series of hold robberies and murders
which continued in different localities through
out the s immer. Secreting themselves in the
woods ar id grass, their presence was only reveal
ed in the Neighborhood they visifed bysomebor
ribie outrage, which struck more terror by the
mystery which enveloped the perpetrators than
eyin the lyutal atrocity which marked the
deed The secrecy and swiftness which char
acterised the piovements of this small band, the
rapidity with which their blows succeeded each
other at poinis far apart, in a measure revived
the panic which feud depopulated our western
corn-ties in 1862. The woods north
and south of-the Minnesota river stented alive
with the ambushed assassins.
gome of these Indiana even made tliiy'r ap
[CONTINUED FKOM FIRST PAGE.]
pea ranee within six miles of fit. Paul. The
number of those who fell victims to the Indian
raid of 1863, did not exceed twenty.
All efforts of the military force of 2.000 men,
which guarded our extended line of frontier
were unavailing to prevent these depredations.
The prompt and vigorous co-operation of the
Btate authorities was necessary to arrest a sec
ond depopulation of our frontier counties. A
corps of State scouts was organized to track
these savages to their hiding places, and in or
der to enlist the inhabitants of the menaced dis
trict in their extirpation, arms were issued to
them, and a reward of twenty-five dollars, af
terwards increased to S2OO, was offered for ev
ery hostile Sioux warrior killed.
These measures (for details of which I beg
to refer you to the report of the Adjutant Gen.
end) were effectual in clearing the State of hos
tile Indians. Of the small party of invading
Sioux, nine were killed by citizens or soldiers.
Among the first of the Indians who paid the
penalty of their atrocities was Little Crow, the
leader and master spirit of the Sioux outbreak,
who was killed by Nathan Lampson and his
son near Hutchinson. I submit to your con -
■{deration whether the brave men, who were
Instrumental in ridding the earth of this mon
ster, and who have been reduced to penury by
the Indian raid, are not entitled to some reward
commensurate with the service named.
It may be hoped that the disastrous result of
this incursion will prevent any attempt of the
kind in future. But it would be dangerous aud
fool hardy, to act upon any such presumption.
The fact that several thousand Indians are con
gregated at points near our western boundary,
to whom murder is glory and pillage a neces
sity, the facilities which in spite of ordinary
military precautions the immense extent of our
frontier affords for sudden and secret descents
upon onr settlements, and the incalculable mis
chief which even one desperate miscreant lurk
ing in the woods and grass can inflict warn us
to omit or relax no preparations which have
been found necessary for the protection of the
exposed districts. The counsels and experience
of the able and energetic soldier who is to suc
ceed me, will prove if inestimable service to
the State, in providing for the exigencies of the
frontier, and to him I gladly remit the subject.
In this connection, I may be permitted to
suggest the propriety of buildiug a State
Armory. The history of the past two years
has demonstrated the necessity, particularly in
a border State, of a permnanent repository of
State arms, and it can hardly be questioned
that it would be better economy to erect a
building for the purpose, than to continue the
extravagant rent we are now paying for an in
convenient and unsafe place. I may here men
tion that the State Historical Society has offered
to convey to the State, for that burpose, the
excellent site and the foundation of the build
ing they once designed erecting near the Cap
itol, on condition of reserving a room for
their own use. The proposition is submitted
to your favorable consideration. .
During the past year the people of the
South-western part of the State were relieved
from a constant source of vexation and anxiety,
and an important step was taken to secure the
Seace and prosperity of that part of the State,
y the removal of the Winnebago Indians,
who, with the remnant of the Sioux, were
taken to new reservations on the Missouri.
The residue of the condemned Sioux were
taken in the spring to Rock Island, where
these violators and murderers of our women
and children are now being fed and housed, in
comfort and safety, by the Government.
In the fall an important Treaty was concluded
by Senator Ramsey, with the Red Lake and
Pembina bands of Chippewas, by which the
Indian title was extinguished to some 10,000
square miles of territory, embracing the Ameri
can valley of the Red River, aud leaving but a
small, and, to white men, worthless fragment
of land now owned by Indians in this State.
By this Treaty another prolific source of Indian
difficulties has been removed. The navigation
of the Red River, and the valuable and growing
commerce with the Hudson Bay Company set
tlements, which passes over the ceded lands,
have been freed from the obstructions and dau
gers arising from the pretensions of these Indi
ans to the ownership of the soil; pretensions
which have heretofore led to serious depreda
tions and menaced grave disturbances in the
future.
Congress last winter passed an act providing
for the partial compensation of the sufferers by
the Indian outbreak. The Chairman of the
Commission appointed by the President to ex
amine and audit the claims of the sufferers,
Hon. Cyrus Aldrich, informs me that the claims
presented and filed up to September Ist. num
bered 2,940, and amounted to $2,458,000.
The awards of the commission on claims
proved up and audited, amounted to $1,370,-
374, of which $200,000, the sum already appro
priated by Congress, has been paid out to some
1,300 sufferers deemed entitled to immediate
relief. Although the commission has been in
defatigable in its arduous labors, the work is
not yet completed, but this statement reveals
the extent of the actual depredations committed
by the Indians on property alone, though fall
ing tar short of exhibiting the indirect suffer
ing and loss occasioned by the outbreak.
That portion of Minnesota which borders on
Lake Superior, embracing the counties of Carl
ton, St. Louis and Lake, abounds in precious
ores, and has interests peculiar to itself which
deserve the fosteriug care of the Legislature.
Mining companies are operating there with
good prospeets of success. In the last appor
tionment these counties were grouped with
Stearns. Morrison, etc. on the upper Mississip
pi, to form the Third District, which sends one
Senator and three Representatives. The great
preponderance of the latter in popnlation de
prives the former of any representation from
their own citizens in the Legislature, and their
geographical isolation from the of the District,
prevents their participating intelligently in
elections, while the votes they cast are some
times received at the senior county, too late to
be counted. It is a matter of importance to
the State, as well as to the population of this
locality, that the itnn ediate and peculiar inter
ests of that vast and rich mineral and lumber
region, should be represented in your coun
sels by someoue well, and personally acquaint
ed with the local geography, and physical for
mation and resources of the country.
I submit to you whether any relief can be
afforded by your legislation in the premises,
No astronomical observations have ever been
taken to determine the latitude and longitude
ot St. Paul, and its exaet geographical position
has never been ascertained nor correctly given
in published maps.
It is time that a point so interesting to
scieuce, concerning this point and the principal
cities of the Northwest should be established
Col. J. D. Graham, of the United States En
gineer Corps, stationed at Detroit, Michigan
generously offers to visit the city with two as’-
bi-tants, tor the purpose of making observa
tions necessary to obtain the information upon
the paymeut of their actual traveling expenses
which cannot be charged to the United States’
I recommend an appropriation for the pur
pose. K
I deem it not only proper for me, but mv
duty to recommend that you increase the com
pensauon now allowed bylaw to your Gov
ernor and Commander-in Ch ef. The oflice is
one at all times attended with heavy cares and
responsibilities, and, in a crisis like this with
much labor. The best talent and the West
integruy wtll find ample scope for exercise in
the taitnful discharge oi its duties. The pres
ent salary at the time it was fixed, was perhaps
sufficient for an incumbent who lived at the
capital, and was not compelled to incur the ex
pense ot changing his residence and renting a
bouse in which to dispense fitting hospitalities
In these times, however, it would not be adel
quate for the support of an ordinary family un
der like cireumsuinoes, much less tor oue com
pelled to remove hither from some other por
tion of the State The people have already
commenced to select this officer outside of the
capital district, hud at liie present prices of rent
THU WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT
and rates of living in St. Paul, the salary now
paid in State warrants, which he is compelled
to dispose of at a discount, is not more than
half sufficient for his support, in the style in
which the Chief Magistrate of the State is ex
pected and ought to live.
Ido not consider it desirable that the com
pensation should be so increased as to render it
possible for the office to be sought as a means
of making money, but most assuredly, the
Governor of this State ought not to be com
pelled to engage a portion of his time in some
trade or profession, or draw upon private re
sorces to eke out an insufficient salary, and
defray his actual expentes while devoting his
tiipe to the service of the State. The people of
Minnesota are not parsimonious nor mean, and
while they would censure extravagance they
desire yon to be liberal and generous, and I do
not entertain a doubt that they will sustain
your action in so amending the law which
establishes the Governor's salary, that the poor
est man in the State can afford to accept the
office.
It will be evident, also, upon glancing at the
comprehensive report of the Adjutant General,
showing the many and onerous duties thrown
upon that officer, that a salary which would be
considered only moderate for the performance
of merely clerical labor, is not sufficient to
reward the industry and capacity absolutely
required of the incumbent of that position, now
so ably filled. I therefore recommend an
increase of his salary, at least during the con
tinuance of our national and frontier troubles.
Under the militia law, forty Regimetnal
and Battalion districts have been formed, and
all have been fully or to a great extent organ
ized. The provisions for enforcing the mili
tary law as well as the plan of organization,
se6m to be in some measure defective, and in
order to establish an available force, it may be
neeessary for the Legislature to make some
amendments to the existing statute upon that
subject. The honor and safety of the country,
as well as the requirements of the constitution
of the United States, demand that the militia
should be a force not merely in name but in
reality.
The past year lias added new lustre to the
acbievments of our troops. On nearly every
important battle field of the war, their graves
are strewn to mark the glorious share of Min
nesota in the progressive triumphs of the Union
cause. For the special history and statistics
of each Regiment, and a complete statement of
all matters referring to the military department
of the State, I refer you to the report of the
Adjutant General.
During the past as in the preceding year,
agents have been sent to visit our sick and
wounded soldiers in the various hospitals of
the country, and furnish them with such com
forts and assistance as they might require.
In June. 1862, my predecessor appointed
Robert R. Corson, of Philadelphia, as an agent
for Ihe State to visit and minister to the neces
sities ol our Minnesota sick and wounded sol
diers in that city, and he continued to render
this service until in September, 1863, when be
presented his claim for payment. No money
having been appropriated for the purpose, and
no salary agreed upon, I now refer the claim
to your consideration. After the battle of Get
tysburg, And the wounded of our immortal
First were transferred to the hospitals of Phil
adelphia, the Rev. E. D. Neill, formerly chap
lain of that regiment, and now residing in that
city, generously volunteered to look after their
wants and comforts and to disburse all funds,
and distribute all articles furnished him by the
State or individuals for their use.
Through the Rev. B. F. Crary, who visited
the southern hospitals on behalf of the State,
I have engaged N. P. Bennett to act as agent
at St. Louis, and G. E. Davenport at Memphis.
I would urgently recommend the extension
of a system which, at comparatively trifling
expense does so much to assuage the hard
ships. and bind up the wounds of war, with the
gentle ministrations of personal sympathy. The
State can testify her gratitude to the brave
men who have gone forth to battle under her
star, in no form so grateful to the soldier, as
by this practical assurance, that lie does not
languish on his bed of sickness or pain, nncared
for. or forgotten. And it is because the State
of Minnesota claims it as a sacred privilege, to
watch as an ever present friend over each and
all of her ten thousand heroes, through all the
dread vicisitudes of camp and battle field, and
hospital, and to cherish as her own, the honor
able fame that glows in the ashes of her dead,
and crowns the brows of her living warriors,
that she has selected as her Chief Magistrate
one of their own number, a tried and gallant
veteran who is familiar with all their wants and
aspirations, and knows how to soften the rug
ged lot of the soldier, with the kindness and
sympathy of the comrade.
In the month of November I obtained by
personal application, the consent of the Secre
tary of War to establish a hospital at Winona,
for the invalid soldiers of Minnesota, knowing
that the invigorating air ot our climate would
facilitate their recovery and save many precious
and valuable lives to their families and the
country. I regret to say that this consent was
subsequently reconsidered upon representations
of the Surgeon General that the locality was
difficult of access during the winter.
I invite your favorable attention to the sug
gestion of the Adjutant General that an agent
be appointed by the State, to collect free of
expense to the claimants, such bounties, ar
rears of pay and pensions as may be due to our
soldiers or their relatives. The plan has been
adopted by other Slates, and we should be be
hind none in rendering everv aid to those who
have suffered for us in this terrible contest.
Though the admirable working of the allot
ment system, uuder the superintendence of the
State Treasurer, secures to the friends of the
soldier at home the pittance which he is able
to transmit to them, you will regret to learn
from him. that great destitution prevails among
the families of our brave men, and I trust that
some efficient measures may be devised and
adopted for tkeir relief.
I would suggest that Minnesota should fol
low the example of other States in offering a
bounty to her soldiers in the field who have re
enlisted or may re-efllist. It is presumed that
State pride will prevent any of our veterans
from being ‘ bought with a price” by other
States which are able to offer a larger bounty
than we can pay, yet the same pride should in
duce us to give to our utmost ability, and by
so doing as a State, the burden falls more
equally upon the people than when private and
local subscriptions and donations are drawn
from the liberal and patriotic only.
I call the attention of the Legislature to the
Reports of the State Auditor and Attorney Gen
eral. recommending a contingent fund for the
latter office.
The efficient defence of the rights of the
State in the several courts, and especially with
reference to the important interests connected
with the public lauds, reuders this provision
indispensable.
A Militia Contingent Fund for the coming
year will also be necessary, and I recommend
that the snm of SIO,OOO as suggested by the
Adjutant General, be appropriated for that pur
pose.
Ou the second and third of July, the first of
the gallant regiments which Minnesota has
sent to the field—that regiment which already
has the names of twenty battles written upon its
standards—took amromiuent part in one of he
fiercest struggles of the war Of the 330 men
of the First Minnesota who had survived the
disasters and triumphs of the Virginia Cam
paigus from Bull Run to Clianeellorsville. to
plunge again with its shattered ranks and bullet
riddled flag into the vortex of the conflict at
Gettysburg, but ninety-two emergec unharmed
from the smoke and glorious issue of the strug
gle. One hundred and seventy-five were
wounded, and fifty one more were added to the
immortal roll of its dead heroes, to find a se
pulchre with over twenty-two hundred other
brave men from other States, in the cemetery
where they tell.
"The Governor of Pennsylvania, Andrew G.
Curtin, conceived the noble idea of uniting‘Hr
States whose sons had fallen in tbl r - . cat
tle, in the ownership and guardian.,nip of the
ground consecrated by their blood, of gathering
Eere the sacred remains of the dead m lota ap
propriated to each State, and of commemorating
their common glory in a monument inscribed
with the names of the fallen. The aggregate
expense, it was stipulated, should not execed
$35,000, but the estimates have since increased
it to $63,500, to be divided among the states in
terested, in the ratio of their .representation
In Congress. I did not hesitate to accept at
once in your behalf, a proposition which en
sured to the brave dead of Minnesota a shrine
safe from profanation, and mementoes worthy
of their feme. Tbs soldier’s National Ceme
tery of Gettysburg was dedicated with fitting
ceremonies, on the I‘Jth of November last.
The share of Minnesota in tiie common fund
as now estimated, will be SB3O, for which, con
fident of your approval of my action in the
premises, I ask the necessery appropriation.
Under the able and energetic administration
oi my predecessor, Minnesota had sent into the
field ten Regiments of Infantry, numbering
9,053, with artillery, cavalry and sharpshooters
comprising 671 men more; in all 9,275 three
years men, and a regiment of 1,218 Mounted
kaDgers, making 10,943 men, besides a consid
erable number of recruits for all these organiza
tions.
Since my assumption of office, a new call has
been made upon the State for her quota of
300,000 men for the old regiments, fixed at one
fifth of the enrolled men of the first class, un
der the “ Act for ehrolling and calling out the
national forces.” Our debt under that call was
about 1,300 men, and to cancel it with as little
burden as possible to the people of an exposed
frontier State, I proposed to the President to
raise a regiment of cavalry to be mastered into
the U. S. service, and to be employed in pro
tecting our border from hostile Indians. My
request was granted, and every facility has been
rendered by the government to aid in accom
plishing the object, that could be desired. The
time for raising the regiment, at first limited
to the 25tli of October, was, together with the
time for the draft for the deficiency, extended
to the 9th of November, and afterwards, at my
urgent solicitation, to the sth of January, the
time fixed by the President in his Proclamation
of 17th October, calling for 300,000 more vol
unteers, for drafting the number that should
be lacking of our quota under that call, at that
date. Our Ist Regiment of Mounted Rangers
was allowed to lie mustered out before the ex
piration of their term of service, with a view
to the enlistment of its members in the new
organization. This regiment is now full, and
with the recruits obtained for other organiza
tions, our account with the government stands
as follows:
The quota of troops due the Govern- v
ment under all cull 3 since the begin
ning of the war, - - - 15,350
Whole number of troops furnished since
the beginning of the war, counting
three twelve mouths men equal to one
three years man, - 12,516
as reported to the Adjutant General's office,and
about 410 not yet so reported, which leaves a
deficiency of 2 424 vet to be raised, either by
volunteering or draft, in order to furnish our
entire quota.
The draft did not take place on the sth inst.,
as was anticipated, the postponement being
doubtless made with a view to important
amendments of the conscription law by Con
gress before it goes into operation. The re
luctance of our people to volunteer into old or
ganizations, aud a lingering fear in our sparse
ly settled country, so lately the scene of horrid
outrages by tbe foe behind us, that they may be
needed to protect their own hearthstones, may
prevent the enlisting of a sufficient number to
avoid the draft, though the increasing energy
and activity manifested by the towns in efforts
to raise their quotas, give flattering promise
that now, as h retofore, Minnesota will volun
tarily honor all calls upon her patriotism, and
devotion to the Union.
I may here say, that in view of the proba
bility that tbe draft would take place, and in
accordance witli representations made by the
War Department, the system ol’ drafting has
been so far modified in this State as to remedy
a gross injustice in the original method of ap
portioning quotas, by conceding to those town
ships whose patriotic alacrity and liberality in
responding to previous calls has drained them
of men, full credit for any excess they may
have furnished, and by charging those town
ships which have heretofore furnished few or
no volunteers, with their whole deficiency.
By this plan the burdens of the war will be
equally distributed in every locality.
There are good grounds for believing that
this is the last requisition that will be made
upon the loyal States for troops. The rebellion
already staggers, death-struck, to its fall.
Three quarters of the vast area over which,
when the war commenced, the treacherous aad
perjured despotism of Slavery stretched its
haughty sceptre, is already rescued from the
usurped dominion. Of the twenty millions
North and South that were counted on to main
tain the cause and uphold the banner of the
traitor eliiefs, not six millions now adhere to
their desperate fortunes. One year ago my
predecessor was compelled to refer to “a suc
cession of disasters” which had attended our
arms, and the “gloom that enshrouded our
distracted country.” Faith in our fina triumph
seemed sinking in many a patriot heart; the
sympathizer with the accursed rebellion was
bold and jubilant, and sheltering himself under
the very entablatures of the Temple of Liberty,
“Hung hissing at the nobler men below.”
It is my glad privilege to congratulate you upon
the succession of glorious victories that have
dispelled all gloom, and banished every linger
ing doubt of the fast approaching result in the
total overthrow of the base conspiracy against
Constitutional liberty. The delusive cry of
‘■Peace” is no longer heard, words of sympathy
die on the lips, for the handwriting of doom is
upon the sky the very hours of Treason are
numbered, and the death-gurgle is in itsMiroat.
Unshaken faith and unmingled joy fill all loyal
breasts, and not an emotion of sorrow touches
a single heart that Slavery, the foul nursing
mother of all this woe, must share .tlse late of
her offspring, and is even now writhing, in the
throes of dissolution.
“ Keen are her pangs, but keener far to feel
She nursed the pinion that impelled tire steel.’
Her history and fate are another lesson in
proof of the great truth, that “behind Trea
chery is Ruiu. and above man is the Everlast
ing God.”
While she was contented with her own un
der the Constitution, guarded by millions who
loathed her.she was secure as if throned in
justice and right A large portion of the peo
ple of the free States were, in their generosity,
and love of harmony, willing to give her even
more than the pound of flesh nominated in
the bond. But when it was known that in her
stealthy advances she was seeking the heart’s
blood of the Government, her most chivalrous
defenders faltered. And when the old flag
of our Union went down on the battered walls
of a national fortress un ler the fire of stolen
national guns, turned against a gallant handful
of national defenders, starving for the food
that national vessels were wafting in sight, then
in the united shout of twenty millions of in
dignant freemen from Eastern to Western
ocean, ‘ deep calling unto deep,” her knell was
heard. Party spirit and party prejudices
were buried and forgotten in the all ab
sorbing patriotism of the American people,
and if they have since revived, it has been
only for consignment to a more lasting rest
until our country is saved. And among the
more than half a million of freemen who are
doing battle today in the holiest cause that
ever stained a sword. Democrat and Republican
stand shoulder to shoulder; camp side by side,
knowing only a common cause and a common
enemy. It. is a sublime lesson to teach the
world. It is a glad and useful one for us
all, and when this triil shall have ended in
treer of glory that awaits us,
in th„ k hiß Relation can ever forget
that in he breast of a political opponent the
heart swells as fervently with patriotic love as
his own. And God grant, that out of this
bloody ordeal may come another spectacle for
the admiration of all nations, that though
brothers have joined in deadly conflict on the
Held of battle, section been arrayed against
section for destruction, yet when tbe contest is
closed in the removal of its incitements and
the sure triumph of the Rigid, the old affection
may return in overwhelming tide, and through
the prudence, wisdom, and magnanimity of
our national councils, the old bond of Union
may be strengthened with triple bands.
The way is made plain by the President of
the United States in his Proclamation of am
nesty, and let us pray that the olive branch may
be accepted, that the flag of our fathers may lie
hoisted over the grave of rebellion by hands
lately raised against it, and that we may alto
gether renew our oaths of allegiance to its
stars and stripes, and pledge afresh our lives
and fortunes to the maintenance of its grand
old motto K Pluribus Unum, the concentrated
wisdom of our ancestors, the mighty spell of
our past glories, and the key to a still more
brilliant destiny in the illimitable pathway of
future Empire.
HENRY A. SWIFT.
St. Paul, December 11, 1863.
LOCAL AFFAIRS.
How It Was Maos Straight.— The in
formation upon which we wrote a paragraph
in Sunday’s paper, was so far incorrect that for
the truth of history and for the benefit of those
precious guardians of civic peace, known as
Police Officers Pendergast and Patterson, we
are inclined to narrate the whole facts in the
case, as they now appear.
Some weeks ago a watch was stolen from
one of the women at Madame Robinson’s house,
which watch was valued at S9O or thereabouts.
The thief was arrested by the Sheriff of Wa
bushaw county and delivered to Pendergast
and Patterson. They obtained a reward from
the woman of $45 for the return of the watch,
and lodged the prisoner in Ramsey county jail
for safe keeping. Afterwards, in the absence
of Mr. Grace, jailor, they took the prisoner
from the jail, under pretence of taking him
before the City Justice for examination on the
charge of larceny, instead of doing which they
frightened the fellow into enlisting and into
giving them S4O out of his bounty money, and
assigning to them on his pay rolls S6O, payable
$lO a month.
The man was not, as they stated to us, taken
before the City Justice and formally discharged.
Nor has the City Attorney had anything to do
with the matter, he having been sick and un
able to attend to it, but it is true tbe owner of
the watch did not want to prosecute the fellow.
No return, we are informed, was made upon
the warrant for arrest. Mr. John Grace’s part
n the affair was simply an attempt to have jus
tice done, by preventing the illegal transfer of
a prisoner from his custody, and the still more
illegal discharge from arrest, together with a
desire to prevent the two policemen from
swindling the poor fellow of a prisoner.
We refer the facts above stated, without
co nment, to Mayor Warren, for his consid
ation.
Scene in the Provost Marshal’s Of
fice. —Enter a stout, hearty citizen of German
nativity, accompanied by an elderly German of
paternal appearance; deferentially approaches
the Marshal and undertakes to explain his
business, being to obtain exemption from the
dralt. The Marshal seeks to help him along
by questions:
Q. —What is your name? A.—Germany.
Question repeated and explained. A.—Hans
V onspeidedsluchtenbamer.
Q. —How old are you? A.—Seven years.
Repeated and explained as before. A.—Twen
ty-six.
Q. —Are you a citizen of the United States?
A.—Yah, I was born in Germany. Q. —Oh,
a naturalized citizen ? A.—Yah, yah; I vote
so many times as ever was.
Q. —For what leason do you ask exemption
from the draft ? A.—The ’Squire, he make the
papers all right, and I swear them.
The papers are examined and found to com
prise full evidence, in correct form, showing
the applicant to be the only son of aged par
ents, dependent upon his labor lor their sup
port.
Q. —How old is your mother ? A.—Yah, so
much, twenty older as I be. Q. —llow old is
your lather ? A.—lie is older as my mother.
Q. —Whereisyour mother? A.—She ish at
the store on the 6treet, mit the baby. Q. —
Baby ! what baby ? Has your mother got a
baby ? A.—Yah, a poy baby. [Mem. by Mar
shall. J Q. —Where is your father? A.—This
ish my father, pointing to his elder companion,
a stout able man of forty-live or thereabouts.
The Marshal undertakes to question the old
man, and finds him guiltless of knowledge of
English, but resorting to an interpretor, learns
that the old man is comfortably well off, with
three or four 6tout grown-up two or three
urchins, a baby in the cradle, and a fat, healthy
vrow who might yet become one of the great,
est women of America, according to Napoleon’s
theory of greatness in women.
The Marshal finally explained to the appli
cant for exemption, the great discrepancy be
tween the affidavits he had tendered and his
and his father’s statements, whereupon he ex
aimed :
“I did not swear to that—l swore the other
paper.”
It was explained to him that the other pa
per was the corroborative evidence of his fath
er and mother.
“Yah, but I not sware to that. The ’Squire,
he make the paper correct and say I sign and
swear, and I be exempt.”
And the applicant made room for others.
Whether he had any real ground for ex -roption
is not known,as he has not made his appearance
again at the Marshal’s office.
Disabled Soldiers.— The House of
Representatives performed a very creditable
act in electing Mortimer for fireman. He was
formerly a member of Company K, Fourth
Minnesota, and lost his arm in a skirmish with
guerillas, on a transport on the Mississippi,
about eighteen miles above Memphis. We
have no doubt he will make a faithful officer
of the House, and we are glad to see the
claims of disabled soldiers upon the public re*
cognizdd by the publick’s official representa
tives. Mr. Mortimer is a resident of St. Paul.
We notice that Speaker Benson appointed
one of the Messengers of the House Mr. Ere
kine Hawley, a young discharged soldier, for
merly of company A, Fourteenth Wiscuus.u
who also has lost an arm—losing it at the at
tack on Vicksburg. Good, again.
Going to the Field.—Major A. D. Nel- /
son, by special order from the War Depart
ment, is assigned to active duty with his regi
ment, being temporarily relieved, as Superin
tendent of Volunteer Recruiting and Chief
Mustering and Disbursing Officer of this State,
by Capt. Saunders.
The many friends Major Nelson has made, in
official and social acquaintances in our State,
will congratulate him upon the accomplishment
of his long cherished wish to Lave a part in the
active duties of the war in the field, where,
they feel sure, his services will be even more
valuable than in the responsible positions he
has so acceptably filled for many years with the
military forces in this State. * 3 “ e
Frost Bitten and Dead.—lu coiutnent
ing upon the recent cold season and its effects,
we have entirely neglected to mention the only
instance in which the cold north air proved
fatal. We allude now to the demise of an in
fantile protege of Mr. Welles, Mr. Brisbin and
the Democratic State Central Committee, which
was known, or rather named as the Minnesota
Democrat. It was exposed to the northern in
fluence that swept over our State early in No
vember, and though not chilled through by
that, it only maintained a feeble warmth of life
until the frosts and freezings of November ex
tinguished its little spark of vitality. It died
‘‘amidst its worshippers”— wet nurse, McClung
and the unpaid help of the establishment, its
only sineere mourners—another instance of
the great error of supposing that politicians
can make newspapers or that newspapers can
live on politics alone.
If we have neglected heretofore the usual
courtesy of noticing the birth of a rival in the
profession, it was that we foresaw we might
by 6bort delay, save space and unite its saluta
tatory notice, its history and its epitaph at once.
1-8 history in-brief, is that it was born of poli
ties. lived and breathed polities, aud died of
cold, through inborn weakness aud debilitating
food.
Let its epitaph be borrowed:
“Since thus early I am done for,
I wonder what I was begun for!”
The President’s Nugget.—The nug
get of pure Idaho gold, from the Virginia City
or Stinkwater mines, sent by a Minnesota mi
ner to be given to Old Abe, has been prepared
under direction of Capt. Fisk for presentation
to the President, by attaching thereto a small
er nugget bearing the inscription, “Give this
to Old Abe for me.” (The language of the do
nor.) “A Minnesota miner iu Idaho, East
Side, 1863.” The original nugget weighs
about $46, and is an irregular shaped but. pure
specimen of gold. Cuptaiu Fisk has also iu his
possession a smaller nugget which gives on
one side a profile view of a countenance resem
bling tlie miner’s idea of the President's looks.
(He had only seen the unflattering portraits of
Old Abe issued before his chances for the Pres
idency bordered on a certainty.) This nugget
is also to be preseuted to the President.
Through by Daylight.—Since there
are many travelers to whom comfort is as
much of an object as speed, Messrs. Bur
bank & Co , always alive to the iutercsts of
the public as connected with their staging
enterprises, have put on an extra line of
coaches for La Crosse and return, by which a
passenger so choosing may make the trip iu
daytime, lying over nights at tne best stopping
places on the route. See advertisement..
COMM E BCIAL.
Review of the St. Paul Market*.
REVOKTKI) E.YI-BKSSI.Y KOE THE SAINT TAIIL PIONKCKj ASD
OOBBKOTKU UY OLE OWN EKCORTKK.
St. Paul, Wednesday Morning, Jan. 13.
The pleasant weather of the last few days brings
city and country trade up »gaiu to respectable pro
portions. We have no particular change to report,
except a light advance and a short supply of Beef
eattlc. The city demand for ail articles ol produce
is yet ahead of the supp y and grocers’ prices:
WHEAT—USQI’Sc bushel.
RYE—(l5(O,7' 'c y bushel. No sales.
BARLEY—!»(i@''sc %i bushel.
OATS—7dc %) bushel.
CORN—SSc %) bushel. Shelled, 95c.
FLOi IR— Extra, in bbls., $5.25; sacks. $5.50.
La go lots. $4.90 and «4.70.
CORN MEAL—Bolted, c* bag, $3; unbolted,s2.7s.
BEANS—White, y bushel. $.'.50.
BETTER—f irkin, y lb., 12c; country, inrclls, 12X
©lsc.
IlAMß—Sugar-cured, 0@10c; canvassed, lo©12;
plain, Stogie; shoulders. s^(goc.
LARD—I2)6c V 15.
SUGAR—N. 0., 12>£, 14?L(3i15c%? It).; refined, A,
17,5;c., B, 17 >iC. arid C, ltFJic; Cuba, reliued, 13©
14c: loaf, crushed and powuereiL l-©lSic.
TEAS—Black. 75c©51.20; Green, 95eu<51.50.
COFFEE—Fair Rio. y lb., 31c; prime, 33@34;
Laguyra, 55c; .Java, :iS©4oc.
RlCE—9@loc y tlx
SALT— Saliua, $4.25%* bbl., linn.
EGGS —y dozen, 25c.
FRUlTS—(ireen Apples, bbl.. $4. <’('(•54.50; Dried,
ytb , Uc; Peaches Cranberries, y bu.,
$3.50; Cabins. $5.26©5 50 « box: half boxes,
$2.75; Prunes, 18@'20c: Currants, 18©20c; Almonds
28©3«c.
FISH-No. 1 Mackerel per bbl., s's; No. 2, $14.09;
Dry Cod, percwt., $7.26©7.5U. Scaled Herring, per
box, lOc.
CANDLES—MouId Tallow, 1 ljtjc per tb.; Star,
19@20c; Adamantine. 20c; Sperm, v(K(fcsoc.
LIQUORS -Rectified. Common, tier gal., 75c;
Monougahela, 90(«!$i.o0; Old Bourbon, sl.t>[e-mail];
Cider per bbl, $7.60©8.00; Tlfcrce-c slo.oo.
TOBACCO—PIug, 00©70c: Natural Leaf, $1.00;
FineCnt, (Js©'.H'C; Smoking 15©2uc.
MEATS—Beef on foot, 2M©::c; Pork, C©CJfc;
Mutton, lbinjl'-c per tb.; Poultry, S©lo.; Venison,
sc; Saddles, <i%Rc.
POTATOES—7Oc per bushel.
ONIONS—S2.6u per bush 1.
OlLS—Carlton, by bbl , 75©S(>c; Whale. $1.40;
Ncatsfoot, $1.76; Lard. $1.60; Linseed, $1.40@1.50;
Turpentine, $6.00; Sperm, refined $2.25.
WHITE LEAD—sl«©l2 per cwt.
MOLASSES—Plantation per gal, 55@C5c; Sugar
Houte, <sc; Golden \vrup, 85c.
I^ON—Common bar, 74c; horse shoe, 2©loc V
pound.
NAD S—l"s, y keg. $0.50.
LEAD AND SHOT—Pig, 10c; bar, 12c per lb.;
Shot s3@ i 35. "
POWDER—Per keg. $10.25.
LlME—Cordova and le Claire, $3.00 %* DbL;
Grand Rapids i alcined Plaster, $4.00.
SOAPS—Family, o%c per tb.; Palm, 7c: Ger
man, 7c; Castile. 16©i.0c.