The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-04

national patriotism ID California, up to the present
time have been poisoned by serious refechons npon
the benefits which might result to its people from
their position as an independent nation. IL is well,
however to consider these things in connection with
the rapid growth of hat country, and the still more
rapid advancement of Atlantic population to the
westward of the Mississippi. Without desiring to
enter into details, or to do more than take mere
glance of the true condition of the whole country,
and especially to refer to the great laws of popula-
ton which are to have been sufficient to abro-
gate nearly all our treaties with the Indian tribes,
and to have outstripped all human calculation, we
think it due to ourselves as nation that these con
sidsaaons should be made the subject of deep refec-
ton BY the American people They point with irri
sistbe forceo the necessity of shaping the policy
Of the country TO effect consolidation of all its
social, industrial, and producing interests.
BY the rapid extension of population production,
and commerce in California the spectacle is in fact
exhibited Of the apparent existence there of indie
pendent government. This may be of little conse-
quence unless such course shall be pursued on
means to bring the two regions together as to sub
stituto real for what is now only imaginary
danger.
The present administration have determined to
establish an overland mail route across the cont
nent. This step is Of great importance, calling
for the adoption Of measures to protect the line thus
opening the interior to settlement The chief obsta-
Gle, it is well known, TO the movement of people to
the centre of the continent is to be found in the hos
.:lo oc he ,bo
banditti, acting under immunties extended to them
in consequence Of their barbarous character We en-
terrain in reference to these tribes no morbid sent
mentalism. We would apply to them means of re-
form but iffthose means fall and their reduction
from savage states is found to be impossible regard
ing their extinction sealed by the laws of mind,
we would adopt for the purposes Of their govern
ment precisely such remedies as may be necessary
to secure protection to our own people, and without
any regard to their peculiar welfare We do not in
the administration of our own laws, to own peo
Pile, exempt Ignorance from the penalties of crime
nor even admit it in mitigation of such penalties
Drunkenness, which is the normal condition of most
Of the Indians on our continent constitutes valid
excuse for wrong doing and do not see why the
paiho luio Nhoo ''bi'hy aPP''oo W D"A o"h PS'P'O
should not also be applied to the Indians within our
common territories fit is said we have statutes
providing for their punishment, and no courts and
officers to execute Them we answer we have means
to bring them to moral accountability, and means
to punish them, equally effective. We suggest to
the country at all events, whether, in view of the
increasing importance of our intercontnenta affairs
and the necessity which exists for consolidating
national territories, vigilant federal police
over the Indians is not demanded? In our judgment
economy and the expenditure of means, justice to
ourselves and wise forecast of great political
interest in the future, call for revision of the
past policy of the government in reference to those
high questions