President Lincoln and the Sioux Indian uprising in Minnesota in 1862

[My Name Is Kate]

The article by Robert Norris shows that Lincoln was basically a kind-hearted and fair-minded individual, but that in the end he would do what was politically expedient. He knew that none of the accused Sioux had received a fair trial despite his efforts to find out the truth in each case, since they had no counsel and insufficient time to mount a defense (which apparently would not have been permitted anyway), most could not speak or understand English, hearsay from alleged witnesses was allowed at the trial, etc., etc. Yet he sentenced 38 to die, pared down from 300+. Most politicians probably would not have done that, but it still was an injustice to the accused. Since they were not considered citizens of this country, their rights were not considered.