The Sierra citizen., 1854-04-08
Treaty with the Nebraska Indians.

Treaty with the Nebraska Indians.
ONE more remove for the Red Men -
When they removed across the Mississippi,
some of the sachems prophesied that the
race would ultimately be driven into the
great waters, their wigwams destroyed
and their burial places upturned by the
plough. This prophecy is being fulfilled.
Many tribes which half a century ago
were masters Of deep forests and wide
prairies, are now extinct, or reduced to q
miserable predatory band subsisting by
theft, and hunted from place to place by
their more powerful neighbors.
But extirmination seems to be their
destiny. The Indians know and feel that
such is the case, and that they must re-
treat as civilization advances; their old
enemies are closing in on every side, but
they know that resistance is useless. They
have begun to understand that treaty
is but another name for pre-emptory
order to put out their council fires. pull
down their lodges and move farther back,
where they may live undisturbetl f~w
years more. Their complaint has often
been eloquently made in the bold fgnla-
tive language peculiar to the race; but
still the axe is busy in the forest, and the
plough moving on the plain.
The swarms of emigrants every year
arriving from Europe, driven thence by
what they deem oppression, demand :he
lands that were once supposed to belong
to the Indian nations. The story Of the
wide prairies and rich valleys Of America
has become familiar in the peasants hut.
Wearily the laborer tolls for bread, until
an opportunity occurs OF emigrating to
the United States, where he in turn be-
comes an oppressor. But with regard to
the Justice of the matter it is useless to
have any thing to say. 1t may be right
which has been guaranteed to them, or it
may not 1t is possible and that is sufli-
cient.
Their lands are bought from them and
they receive yearly pension which is
supposed to be an equivalent. AT the
time of the semi-annual payments the Indi-
ans come in from all quarters, and find at
the appointed place dozens Of traders
with all sorts of trinkets, worthless fire.
arms and spirituous liquors, which tempt
the simple savages to squander their
money The trader returns to his home
rich, and the Indian goes back to his
lodge, almost as poor as he was before;
and long before next payday comes round
he is in the most abject want. 1t matters
not how stringent the laws are, means
will be found to cheat the savage, and
while he has money he always can obtain
rum. Depending OH his annuity, he neg
lects the chase until hunger compels him
to skulk round the outskirts of the white
settlements, subsisting on what he can beg
and steal.
Instructing the uncivilized Indians in
the art of agriculture is an uphill busi-
ness. They are constitutionally lazy and
the most hattering promises of reward
cannot induce them to labor for living,
when 1t can in any other way be obtained.
Perhaps, years of perseverance and coax
ing may induce them to adop. the habits
of the white man, but in the meantime
the work of determination goes on.
1t is to be hoped that some measures
will be taken to ameliorate their condi-
ton, other than those usual on such occa-
sions, as the purchase of land and the re-
moval of the Indians. There is fine
opening among the Indian tribes Of Ne
traska for those philanthropists who are
so numerous and noisy in the Northern
States. Instead of bemoaning the condi-
tion of the negro who is well fed and
clothed, let them look after the women
and children who are shivering on the
prairies. Let them send clothing and
farming implements to the Indians with I
few dozen of those itinerant lecturers who
are bowling and ranting in every village
school house, and who might employ theil
talents to some purpose in instructing the
savage in the arts of civilization.
WoaAN's RIGHTs-M-s. Paulina "
Davis, a lady connected with the press,
has been assigned seat in the reporter