Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-01-16
FRONTIER PROTECTION.

To those who have taken correct view Of the |
policy of the Government in locating the Indians
on our Western frontier, it has been Il matter of
surprise and establishment that General Jackson
and Mr.. Van Buren, should have failed TO recon-
mend and press the necessity of such policy as
would place the frontiers Of Arkansas and Mis-
souri, beyond the mercy of horde of reckless and
rupacious savages. In recent message to the
Legislature of Arkansas, Gov. YELL takes occa-
sion to speak of the Government in the strongest
terms Of censurc. Commencing at the Missouri
river and running to the Gulf of Mexico, there is
no kind of protection whatever, if we except the
remnants of one Or two regiments, which constitute
the garrisons of two poss--the only Notifications
that protect our entire Indian boundary on the
Yves. thus leaving the security of the citizen to
Indian mdgnanimity, rather than tr the ornaments
of the country. 1t will tie the duty of Presiden,
HARRISON says the New Era and we do not doubt
that it will be among his first acts, to take the ne
cessary steps for the erection of Gordon of Posts,
and the completionof military road, which shall
cover the whole distance now exposed to the incur
sions Of the savages our fronter-placed there
by the policy of the party going out of power,
"ithoul giving u lhouSHt W tne HuleCllOn ol lIe
Inhabitants with whom thousands of Indians were
thus brought into near collision Some years ago
OF the suggestion of Major DoUGHERTY, then in the
Indian Department and now member of our Leg
islature, we urged upon the Government the inds-
pensable necessity of atfording protection to our
frontiers, by the establishment of line of Posts
along its whole extent and reaching to the from
tier of Arkansas. The subject excited some dis
cussion at the time, and was favorably entertained
by the Government. But the administration, it
would SEEM had not time to devote to matters of
such trivial importance, although they were busiy
employed in crowding thousands of savages upon
our borders-made doubly vindctive by being de-
prived of the homes of their fathers without0 will
ing assent, and placing impacable enemies in the
immediate neighborhood of each other; and it was
not until some years afterwards, that some show Of
protection was held out, by the survey of road
and the selection of military posts we had advo
Gated A little money was spent for this object,
and there the effort at protection terminated. The
money probably wanted to control the elections
in doubtful Saskatchewan and Arkansas were
safe enough for the party. At any rate, very little
money was expended in carrying out the system,
in the last year of Mr.. Van Buren's administration.
Our people were left to such protection, in case of
difficulties with the Indians, as their own courage
andexperience in border warfare afforded to them.
1tnow devolvcs on President HARRISON to CON-
mence and finish the works necessary for our protec
ton. His experience will not be lost at such time
lie is Western mana poneer--nnd well ac'
quainted with the emjittered spirit of the Indians
against the whites and he will that the frontiers
are properly placed under the care of the Govern
ment wihouta moments delay. He goes into pow
er, it true, with on exhausted treasury; but he
will not be long in looping off useless branches o.
expenditure on the seaboard, and in stopping III,
leaks, so as to find means to perform the duty o
which we have spoken.