, 1856-04-04
The Nar-Tts Present Aspect, &c.

commencement OF our present lndlan trOuO-
les, we feel fully selfacquitted of having
discharged our duty in foreshadowing,
what to us has all along appeared to be
the imminent danger that has threatened,
and still threatens the very/existence Of
our Territory, as Such-the property and
lives OF almost our entire population yet
strange TO say, up to this very hour, with
full knowledge of the commission of rob
berry and blood-shed, as it were, at their
very doors, this community appear to have
folded their arms in an imagined, listlesS,
dreamy security, as much as to say, here,
at least, "all is we'll" What evidence
have they for such q hope?
We profess to know nothing whatever
of the plans of operation laid down and
proposed to be carried out by the authori-
ties of either this or Oregon Territory in
the prosecution Of the present war, neither
is it any of our business nor do we care to
know We sincerely. believe that the civil
and military authorities Of both Territories
are, with any thing like adequate means at
their command, fully equal to the emergen-
cy, and will do all that man can do, to pro-
tect the settlements and towns, and shield
the people from the impending storm of
dcsolation that seems to be gathering in
force and blackness1-upparently ready to
burst, and sweep, with the force of the an
eieht deluge, the last vestige of civilization
from our borders.
We repeat, we have full confidence in
the ability, energy ard sagacity of our
Territorial and the regular military nu-
tborities amongst US but we presume that
all will readily concede, from the expreri-
ence Of the last few months, that no def
mite, fixed plans Of operation can be adopt
ed and strictly adhered to, that can, in any
wise prove efficient. Unlike the nodus
cperaAd Of civilized warfare, the authori-
ties find themselves compelled to give such
direction to the forces in the field as cir
cumstances may from time to time Indicate.
Not unlike the enactment Of drama, the
scenes require to he changed shifted in
quick, in hurried succession in order to pro,
duce ehect--to keep pace with, meet and
check the rapid movements and changes Of
position of the cautions and stealthy saw
age. Experience has fully demonstrated
that any settled programme for the prose-
cuiion Of the present war, no matter how
wise and prudent, or however much sagaci-
ty, care and deIiberation may have been
contributed in aid Of its maturity, will, in
the end, prove abortiYe The Indians will
not meet our soldiers in the field, for fair
fight. Their policy is to distract and d.
yide,Our fOrces-tleir war is one Of strate-
gy and detail ,..l- n .
In the present aspect Of affairs, as con-
Rected with the danger by which we are
nenaced, opinions concerning the future
are only opinions; and where founded in
reason and common sense, those of the
most humole' unpretending citizen should
certainly be regarded as valuable, and
treated with as much Difference, as those of
the most wise-pretending and exalted. In
view Of this, we will venture the belief that
the Indians. ID the management Of the war
on their part, have played the game with
more depth and shrewdness than had gen.
erely Oeen supposed they were capable Of.
Vur people nave not acted On'the sugges-
tlGn .sIi o. celebrated military chieftain, who