Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-05-06
The bmdians.

gas recently perpetraieu py ihulhus "h o"' ~"
tiers. One account states that the white settle
ment in the vicinity of Spirit Lake. in Minneso-
ia territory was attacked number OF men sihln
and several women carried of. The band that
committed this outrage are supposed to be com
posed of Sioux from beyond the Missouri river,
in which direction they fled nftor its perpetra-
ton As the result Of this affair a great panic
was produced in the neighborlng counties, and
the most exaggerated rumors reached St. Paul.
of the invasion by the Sioux. Of the Southwestern
counties of Minnesota bordering on the st. Pc
ters river. Ii is reported that some OF the most
tbickly settled counties in that portion oi the
Territory were in danger of falling into the
hands of the savages. military force, In con
sequence has been dispatched 10 St Peter from
Fort Smelling, but the inhabitants of ST. Paul
who were preparing to march to the scene Of ac-
ton have been informed that their services were
not needed. Almost cotemporaneously with tho
above comes the report that some difficulties hay"
occurred between the Pawnees and portion OF
the settlers in Nebraska Territory. and TINT the
latter had been driven in by the lndlaYs from
the neighborhood Of Salt Greek, on which they
were located. Still later accounts represent the
existence of serious troubles in Texns, caused by
the predatory excursions OF some OF the tribes
resident in that State. Some lives have been
taken by the Indians, and no little alarm is felt
in regard to the future security Of tho whites
Although Of the former published accounts
have been denied especially those relating 10
Minnesota. (which latter denial ia made on the
authority of Gen. Shields, who is n resident of
the Territory still it cannot be doubted that the
situation Of the white inhabitants Of those dis
tant regions of our common country, are critical
in the extreme, and unless immediate steps be
taken by our Government to arrest the further
progress of these savage depredations, tho most
direful consequences will ensue. Nothing but
action of the most prompt and decisive charac-
ter will DO likely to effect the end so much de-
sired. Some of the papers have connseed the
sending out of force at once strong enough to
sweep the entire Indian population from the face
of the earth and argue that this IL the only
means by which 1.-THE frontiers can be etiectual-
ly aud permanently delivered from the danger
which threatens them" While we have no dis
position to palliate in the least degree the cruel
aud bloody outrages recently perpetrated by
these savages, we must at the same time, dissent
from such counses these. No reader of the
early history Of our country can be Ignorant of
the many atrocities committed ON the white Get
Elements during that period nor should he be
unmindful Of the fact, that until those sayages
were goaded to desperation by the tathessless
of the whites, they lived ON terms Of the most
afeotion.te intercourse, and ever manifested for
the white man sincere and artless at.
tachment At later period in history,
agents have been sent by our Government among
1n1i tv,h In bav bao e Ia
grossest Encouragement. and have prscticed on
these simple children of the forest frauds Of such
magnitude as should have consigned them to
lasting infawy. Had our government always
pursued a different policy in this regard, aud in
stead of sending out agents entirely unworthy of
confidence and respeet.had appointed men of high
character, inhexibe integrity. aud phanthrophic
views; men who would have turned deaf ear
10 the complaints Of the se,ilers-who are gene
rally disposed to rid themselves OF ihoir red
nsighbors, and frequently arc not very particu
lar by what means they effect their objective
might have witnessed different results. The
frontiersmsn almost invariably chenshes u
strong antipathy to the red skin, and affects TO
believe that thereis good in him, and tina, con
seQuently nothing good can come out of him.
He holds the life of the red niger" about as
cheap as that Of any other 'varmin," equally as
troublesome and has sort of repugnance to
laying it under contribution to the slightest pos
sibls pretsxt. Under these circumstances. tho
naturally unsmiable nature of the Indian is not
greatly Modified. and in consequence of his I'M
forgiving and implacabe nature, those well re-
msmbered wrongs rankle and tester within his
bosom. and only find vent in the preparation OF
atrocities the mere recital Of which thrills us
with horror.
The character Of the settler is usually marked
by traits the very opposite of the constitutions
Incidence Of the Indian, and that fact does no,
render the latter the best neighbour in tho world
nor altogether such as We could desire
candor. however, compsIs the admission tina
Contact With civilization has not effected mucl
for them either in morals or diligence. The ha
btusl drunkenness which now char .cterizes tn,
larger number of tribes is one of the vices entail
ed on Il en- by contact with the "paIe faces
the fact that this habit has acquired with then
an intensity not often met with among whites
and has produced consequences 80 disastrous
should b. rather matter Of profound regret thar
Of condemnation at our hands. The extraordi
nary influence exertsd BY Penn the missionaries
Brainard. and Elliott. and others whose names
might Be given--on the tribes with which they
came in contact, and the enduring affection with
which they were ever regarded by the Indian il.