Arkansas intelligencer., 1845-03-08

ize the more liberal feelings of our nature; cul
nvating proper social intercourse with them, a
well for the useful knowledge, as tho pleasure t,
be derived from III and, by pruGent course o
conduct and forbearance, subJung their prejudice
and enlis,ing their friendship; while. at anoihe
time, there is nothing but harshness, prejudice
and prescription, in which the Indians are regard
ed and treated rs so many sources of vcxalon and
trouble. While one regards himself as the agent
Of the government, whose duty it IS to carry ou,
its general policy in liberalizng them, and cult.
vaiing kindly intercourse, which may be mutu.
ally 6enefcial 10 the parties, another considers
them as imbecile interiors, 10 be awed into sub.
mission, and even degradation, by contempt, and
an ar Of assumed superiority. Anarbi,rary TEN.
per, confirmed perhaps by tho habit of military
command, sees in the time. .honored observances of
an ancient race only many mper,nent infringe.
ments on the discipline Of socia organzalion.-
Ono is content to contine himself to his legitimate
province of command. (the military reserve.) with
IL Willingness to cooperate with agents in correct.
ing any existing abuses that may fall within their
sphere Of action. Another endeavors to extend
his military dominion over the whole country.
reaching oven to subjects of local character, and
whl;h belong. and should be entirely left, to the
Cherokee authorities themselves. The military
as the climate is changeable. Each commanding
officer construes its provisions as he understands
them; and an act tha, was perfectly in accordance
with law yesterday. is Tomorrow assumed to be
in direct violation of its provisions. Arrests are
sometimes made with high hand, and fug,ves
pursued with multitude OF people, and under cir
cumstances well calculated to inspire terror, and
offend the national pride Of the Indians These
irregularities and buses of authority assume the
character of caprice, are highly vexatious, and
have mlschlevous tendency, producing deep irri.
tation and an abiding discomfort among those who
are subject to them.
1t is no part Of my duty to descan upon the au-
thority. rights. and duties Of the army, except so
far as they conflict with my privileges the agent
of the Cherokees; and then my duty. exercised
"more in sorrow Than in anger compeIs me to
do so. In many instances, the civil law might be
ludlclously applied in the correction of the evils
that are often occurring from Causes growing out
Of the relation Of the officer and Indians |, would
certainly suffice in many CAGES where arbitrary
discretion is, with too much facility, substituted.
By the present head of the rmy there is manifest.
ed wIso and wholesome feeling on this subject.
which it is hoped will be dflscd through the low
est grades of this most honorable arm of our
vice. What have said, hope will be regarded
as net 5 a the control and
government of the Indians if their prerogatves
could be defined and laid down as the permanent
law of the land; or. ,ha, an acceptable officer Of
rank and altalnmens could be permanently locat.
ed on the frontier, with general supervisory con-
tro in motters Of conflicting jurisdiction.
P. M. BUTLER. U. S. agent.
Hon. +. HARTLEY CRAWFORD.
Commissioner Indian affairs, Washington.