The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-01-31

AAouA Aduuai 1doOr, duU 10 longer suplecteQ
to menial servitude, for which he receives
no adequate compensation, and feels him.
self degraded. But Congress was SO busy
with party politics, that they found no time
to look after the interests Of class Of men
who have no voice in elections. Couse
quently, the wise and humanitarian succes
tons of even men holding exalted positions
passed unnotced by that angus, body. The
new Administration, instead Of profitipc By
the recommendations of It's predecessors.
have even thrown more labor and menial
service on the soldier. by discharging most
Of the laborers 10 the Quartermaster de-
partment, and putting soldiers in their place.
This is done on the Democratic plea of re-
trenchment and reform g. And so it is,
with vengeance. Thousands Of poor men
are thrown out Of employment, and the
bread of hundreds of families is cut short.
But do not party pets, in the shape of army
contractors. get all the money thus saved.
You have heard of the grand specula,ions in
Utah.
Some long headed, calculating Indians
are already talking about how they expec.
to make money by selling corn, potatoes,
melous, and pigs, to the soldiers In con-
versatlon with one Of these simple sons of
the forest, who has probably never done
lick of farm labor in his life, he Informed
me that he intended soon to be rich far
mer. By EN- by, may be So" said he,
"me have big farm. May be so, have
heap corn, po,ates. squash, tobac, may be
so. heap. much heap, may be SO BY EN-
by. me trade to soldier for much money,
heap moneys-get rich, may be so.
Whoop'ee, big Ingen me" :"
noticed that nearly every Indian who
attempts to speak English makes very fire.
quent use of the phrase may be So" !
asked the pretty daughter of the Camanche
chief, gaudily attired in fine scarlet cloth,
and profusely decorated with beads and
silver ornaments. if she was married, to
which she laughingly replied No l.
senior, P0cotemp0g o maTry nn sOidda0
Americana, May be so yet. may be so
no. me soldado wife, ha, ha, ha 70 And
her merry laugh rang clear on the morning
air. No doubt she thought she was speak.
ing excellent English | mention these
little incidents, at the risk of boring
you simply for the purpose of giving you
an idea of the innocence and simplicity of
these simple, untaught people. now in the
hands of the white man, either to receive
the impress of virtue and noble impulses,
or of vice and degradation.
One bright morning, we found ourselves
in the saddle, and resuming our homeward
march. Our route lay down the Washta
river, and over valley Of rich alluvial soil
AS beautiful aud picturesque country as
the eye of the most fastidious could wish to
behold. After a ride of eighteen or twenty
miles, we pitched our camp on the banks
of the river, and near the Wichita encamp-
ment.
These Wichitas are not part of the Tex
as Reserve Indians-are entirely different
band from those we left at the other camp,
and are much farther advanced in civillza-
ton, cleaner. neater prettier, are Weather,
and have better quarters They have now
been several years on their reserve. Many
of the men-and fine, athletic fellows they
are too-love to boast of having fought
alongside of soldiers under command of
Major Van Dorm. against the southern
Camanches. last year. They have large
herds of ponies, cattle, sheep, and a few
hogs Their ponies are generally larger
and finer specimens of the equine race than
those usually owned by Indians of the plains
being a cross between the American horse
and the mustang They have milch cows
and manufacture butter and a sort of cheese
Their women are handsomely featured
and wcll-formed; dress in the civil costume
Of white women ride aside. and use side
saddles They are splendid and graceful
equestrians, modest in their general deport
ment, and afable in their manners
All this improvement has been made
within very short time. The reserve as
signed to them is an excellent tract Of land
If they only receive proper encouragement
and the right sort Of treatment, they vii
in due time be thoroughly civilized, AM
made useful members of society.
Almost all Indian women tha. | hav
seen, during several years of life on tn
plains, have great fancy for marryin
white men. They would gladly leave thei
, tribe, the wigwams of their fathers, aud a
that is dear to them, to follow, they car
: not where, the white man who would lov
aud protect them. Among the civilize
: Indians, know intelligent. well-educatec
and pretty women, who have found then
r selves old maids and unmarried, simply b,
( cause no white man ever offered any
: them his heart and hand, and they were to
, proud-acouid not marry an Indian Of the
own blood.
t Although We lay at this camp but on
:: night, quite romantic incident occurre
e A gay chiyalrous, and enthusiastic youn
: soldier, of a romantic turn Of mind, who:
e term of service has nearly expired, vii
e commendable industry go, up an intere
= ting love affair with lovely Wichita ma
d "a blooming "sweet sixteen" The tv
e soon came to mutual agreement Al
: the young scamp had the audacity to tai
: his dusky betrothed to his captain, and al
}, permission to marry her. and carry her {
|. with him. The captain, however, refust
i to grant his request. aud he very reluctau
e " took her back to the wigwam Of b
s. father.
The gallant lover still swears like
II trooper that be will yet return for his