The New York herald., 1850-12-09

The Red Republicans Of America.
IR REPORT OF fHR CuxlIsSIVNER
DEPARTMENT OF the INrxRIoR,

the superintendents, agents, and missionaries in
the Indian country, for more particular inforna-
ton In relation local operations, and the cOndl-
ion Of the various tribes, than can be fifty en-
bodied in report of this description.
Among the less remote tribes with which we
have fixed and defined relations, and which, to
greater or lees extent, have felt the controlling and
melioratisg effects of the policy and measures of
the government for preserving peace among them
and improving their condition, an unusual degree
ins o inOw Ss clsss
large portion Of the red race within our widely ex
tended borders, there probably has never, during
the same peri,d Of time, been 80 few occurrences
wards our citizens; while, with the exception Of
the Sioux and Chippe was, they have preserved
state OF peace and harmouy among themselves.
These two tribes are Hereditary enemies, and
scarcely year passes without scenes OF bloody
strife between them. From their remoteness and
scattered condition, il is difficult to exercise any
effective restraint over them, while their proximi-
~ to each ether affords them frequent opportuni-
ties for indulging their vengeful and vindictve
feelings. Each tribe seems to be constantly on
the watch for occasons to attack weaker parties of
the other, when an indiscrininate massacre of
men, women and children, is the lamentable re-
suit. Daring the last spring, mutual aggre essions,
OF an aggravated character, threatened to involve
these tribes ia general war; but the acting super
intendent, Governor Ramsey,a aided and assisted by
the commanding officer at Fort Smelling, promptly
interposed, and by timely and judcious efforts pre-
vented such catastrophe.
Such occurrences are not only revolving to hu-
msnity but they foster that insalable passion for
wal, which, in combination with love of the chase,
10 the prominent Characteristic feature of wild
or tribes, and presents formidable obstacle in the
way Of their civilization and improvement. We
know not yet to what extent these important OBJ.
jects may be accomplished; but the present and
improving condition Of some of our semi-civilized
tribes Affords ample encouragement for further and
more extended effort. Experience, however, has
concusively shown that there is but one course of
policy by which the great work of regenerating the
Indian race may be effected.
In the application of this policy to our wilder
tribes, is indispensably necessary that they be
placed in positions where they can be controlled,
and finally compelled, by stern necessity to resort
to agricultural labor or starve. Considering, as
the untutored Indian does, that labor is dsgra-
datiOn, and that there is nothing worthy of his
ambition but prowess in war, success in the chase,
and eloquence in council, il is only under such cir
cumstances that his naughty pride can be sub
-dued, and his wild energies trained to the more
ennobling pursuits of civilized hfe. There should
be assigned to each tribe, for permanent home,
country adapted to agriculture, of limited extent
and welldefined boundaries; within which all,
with occasional exceptions, should be compelled
constantly to remain until such time as their
general improvement and good conduct may super
sede the necessity of such restrictions. In the
meantime, the government should cause them to
be supplied with stock, agricultural implements,
assist them in the erection OF comfortable dwellings,
and secure to them the means and facilities of
education, intellectual, moral, and religious. The
application of their own funds to such purposes
would be far better for them than the present sys
tenn of paying their annuites IN money, which
does substantial good to butfew, while to the great
majority 1t only furnishes the means and incentive
to vicious and depraving indulgence, terminating
in destitution and misery, and too frequently in
premature death.
The time is at hand for the practical application
OF the foregoing views to the Sioux and Ch,ppe,
tribes on the borders of Missouri and Iowa. Con-
-gress has made an appropriation for negotiations
with the Sioux for portion Of their lands, which
should, as far as practicable, be conducted on the
principles laid down in the instructions r:-: 20 the
commissioners .rY2inted for ;uat purpose last year,
sand which were communicated with the annual
report Of my predecessor. Those instructions
templated the purchase OF large extent of their
territory, and their oncentration within narrower
limits upon lands remote from the white settle
0ents and the Chippewas objects of primary i'm
portance, in view of the general policy already
stated.
Since The treaties of 1887 and 1912 with the Chip.
pewas, considerable portion OF those Indians have
continued, by suferaLce. TO reside on the ceded
lands east of the Mississippi Ever, In Wisconsin
and Minnesota, where they have fof sene years
been brought into injurious contact with rarsdIy
advancing and increasing population in that quar-
ter. Having ample facilities for procuring ardent
spirits, they have become much injured and cor
'ruPted by unrestrained indulgence in the use Of
that accursed element of evil. To remedy this
unfortunate state of things, il was determined, al
an early period of the present year, 10 have these
Indians removed northward to the country be-
longing TO their tribe Measures for this purpose
were accordingly adopted but IN consequences of
the very late period at which the appropriation re-
-Qusite to meet the necessary expenses was made,
only a small number have as yet been removed
Their entire removal, however, will not sufficiently
relieve our citizens from annoyance by them, as
they will for some time have the disposition, and
be near enough TO return with facility TO their old
haunts and hunting grounds. Nor will the situation
r. - al.
well being requires. They own a vast extent Of
territory each side OF the Mississippi, over
which they will be scattered, following the
chase and indaleing IN their vsgrant habits,
until the wild products Of the country, on which
they depend for subsistence, are exhausted, and
they are brought to a state of desutution and want
Efforts should therefore be made, at as early a
period as practicable, TO concentrate them within
proper limits, where, with some additional means
beyond those already provided, effective arrange
ments could be made to introduce among them
system Of education, and the practice of agucul-
ture, and the simpler mechanic arts. The best
portion OF their country for this purpose s west Of
the Mississippi river; but IL is not owned by the
whole tnbe IN common-a considerable part Of il
being the exclusive property of particular bands,
who are not parties to asy Of our treaties, aud re-
ceive NO annuities or other ma'erial aid from the
United States. This circumstance net only ex-
cites dissatisfaction with the government, but pro-
duces much jealousy and bad feeling towards the
rest of the tribe, which may hereafter lead TO
serious difficulty, and, as the game on which they
mainly depend for the means Of living must soon
fail them, the government will be under the
cestity Of interposing to save them from starvation
A wise forecast, and the dictates Of benevolent
policy, alike suggest that timely asures be taken
10 avert disa strous result THIS may easily
be done, and at moderate expense, compared with
the importance Of the objects TO be accomplished.
In order to enable the deparmen, to carry out
these views in reference 10 the waole Chippewa
tribe, ! respectfully recommsnd that Congress be
ested for appropriation at the ensuing session TO
defrsy the expense Of negotiating joint treaty
with the different bands, for the purpose Of acqur-
IDg 30 much Of their country on the east side OF the
Mississippi we may require for long time to
come; 10 provide thatihe whole OF their remaining
ends toaeher with their present and future means,
shall be The common property Of the whole tribe, 80
that all will be placed on an equal footing; and
that as large proportion Of their funds practi-
cable shall be set apart and applied in such man
ner as will secure their comfort. and most rapidly
advance them in civilization and prosperity. With
such arrangements for this tribe, and the adoption
OF q like policy towards the Winnebagoes, now To-