The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-14
INDIAN DEpRRDArIoNs AND MAssAcREs.

a measure with which he idcnunca himself
INDIAN DEPREDATIoNs AND MAssAcREs.
By the treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo the United States
stipulated protect the frontier Of Mexico from the incur
sions Of the Indians who In the habit Of committing
deprcdaons and murders in the provinces OF New Mex
leo Chihuahua Durango, and sonora such extent
that the inhabitants driven from their possessions
and the tide OF civilization, which had heretofore steadily
advanced this continent fast recedng before the
action of barbarism In subsequent treaty the United
States honoraby released themselves from this obligation
by the payment of immense sum- and acquired largo
extent Of territory consisting of bordering the prov
inces heretofore exposed the depredatons of the
ages,
When General kearney took formal possession Of New
Mexico in the Of the United States he made ed.
dress the assembled people at Santa Fe from which the
following is extract
From Mexico you received protection. The
Apaches and Navaoes down from the mountains and
carry your sheep and women whenever they
please Ny government will correct all this II will Keep
of Indians protect you in your and property
and repeat again protect you in your religion
Here an express pledge Of projections, given in the
name the United by the commander Of the forces
of the United States the condition Of their voluntary
submission
But even no such direct pledge had been given IL
one of the fundamental principles every government that
obedience aud protection reciprocal obligations The
first duty every is protection to its citizens
or subjects and II 1t is either unable unwilling to ar
ford il there is then obligation their part preserve
their allegiance or obey the They thrown back
on the natural right of seleence and may seek proec.
ton from foreign government since their cannot
will protect them.
Tn,t III fafa III.
obligations of government have they redeemed the
pledge Of General Kearney2 The il close at hand
1t may found in the details of robbcres murders and
massacre almost every day recorded in the public jour
nails or communicated in letters either from the sufferers
themselves those who eyewitnessei Of their suf
ferngs Il may seen tho of galan, officers meet
ing death ngorous in the Wilderness the victims Of
age barbarity may be in robbcres murders and
Of men, women and children crossing the path.
less prares to seek happier home and may be heard
the hrieks and dying groans Of those who look In vain
their country for protection.
1t the boast of the United States tina, ii ia patena
government that makes distinction between children
and equally the guardian of their rights and their hap
piness Il does not profess give this protection only
the inhabitants Of thckly populated districts crowded
marts Of commerce. where for the part they need
Christianity and civilization who are bearing the eage OF
the republic to regions where before and
fulfilling its destiny, by encounterng every species Of
posure and harsbp to their postcry the prize Of
independence And how is IT this moment fulfilling
its purpose and its obligations? We have already an
swered
What has been done Is past all remedy except perhaps
far rs respects the restoration of property and the
lease of the and children carried into cnptvityiu
other words, slasery-by the sayages We raise
the dead but doubts the power Of the United
States 10 prevent and punish such ontrages on humanity
IN future; and, snch being the case may we not ask
whether by negecting this solemn obligation, they are
moi justly liable to the charge Of being accomces In these
atrocities II they unable unwilling to protect tht
inhabitants of New Mexico what right had they to
pei them 70 obedience2 Aud IL the the with
regard to the cmigrants Oregon aud California wha,
purpose does the extend its jurisdiction
thcm sell them lands 10 be devastated by savagesf
These questions think should be taken into view
10 the discussion Of the bill before Congress proposing
small addition % the army, and il Is earnestly hoped viii
aid in its passage The honor and dignity of The United
States require that they should fulfil their obligation
protect their citizens the voice Of humanity calls them
TO nterpose once aud eIectually the Of
savage brutality ana the progress of CIVILIZATION Dpea
lively requires that these barbarous should he
promptly arrested before the sretched exposed and
protected Territory Of New Mexico becomes bowling
desert only rsaned by prowling savsges the provinces
Of Durango, Chihuahua and sonora are every day be-
coming.
All these considerations require that this bill should BE-
passed and passed promptly Every hours delay brings
with il deyastations. murders and massacres
md every long hsrangue uttered here IL echoed By the
bricks aud grcaps Of dying Victims In discussing the
mere minulia u Us details, ri6ng objections whether
sell IN founded think should be waived Ia behalf
he claims OF justice and humanity and We cannot but
hope that while the applications o. petitioners the gov.
interpose for the Of h6ee who vopn
eered in search Of lost stranger sho had claim either
themselves their country, receiving prompt and
espectf attention from Congress that body will for
ct the far higher and nober duty % protecting thousand
4 their tellowcitizens who have inalienabls right
ooaded well IN justice humanity, claim their In
difference.
The slightest rejection must suggest every man that
be increasing expansion Of The population Of tho United
states, which always takes place frontiers exposed
o Indian depredaiions must necessarily require an
ncrease Of The u protection There can y