Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1860-11-23
THE WASHINGTON STANDARD
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER q, 1869.
Qur War Debt.


commence the second session of the
36tl Congress. In view of this fact, let
every citizen of Washington Territory
contribute his influence to secure the
payment of the Indian War Debt.
There is scarce a man who lias come
hitllcr from any OF the States, who has
not some friend or acquaintance in one
or the other branch OF Congress. a
letter written to that member may Sc
cure vote, may induce Il member to
urge the consideration OF this question,
may remove an objection from some
members mind, which has been occ;,s-
toned by falsclood, or malignant slam
ders heretofore hcapcd upon our pro-
pie. The time is now ripe for ACTION,
and surely the wants of ourpeople, the
st;wIation OF business, the scarcity OF
money, the universal dependency I'M
der Which we have laborcd, cntitlc us
to consideration and when better than
now to secure to IL; wlllt has so long
been denied! All we ask iss.mcrc max
cdjusticc.
Remind that member or Senator of
our claim to protection: remind him OF
the inducements to settlement which
had been held out, inviting us to aban-
don the homes of ournativity, to rcnd
the tics of kindred and family affection,
and as pioneers to carry to this remote
region the standard of American insti-
tutions; say to him we willingly in
cured the expense and hardship Incl
dent to settler in Il new country. You
who iourncycd overland can truthfully
aludc to the fact that You incurred the
risk of that worst of deaths from the
savagcs, lurking on the plains which
YOU had to traverse, who onl. coveted
favorable opportunities to murder and
dcspoil you, as has been so often the
ease with those who preceded, and how
dreadfuly fatal to those who the past
year attempted to be of Us. Tell that
Congressman in unnistakahlc language
that government has entirely failed to
protect the route lit!cr, how grossly
unjust therefore to deny its iostcrin"
care after the journcN~is-accomplishcd
and settlement is made. Urge that we
arc citizens of a common country, proud
to acknowledge our allegiance, but en-
titled in return, to its shcltcrinG and
protecting hand. Tell them the Fcde-
raj arm was powcrlcss to protect Us in
1855; that at that time it maintained in
the whole Territory force scarcely adj
cquatc to guard Il single military post,
much less to carry on offensive opera
ations against the Indian Mal-eonteHts.
Say that Mattice, Eaton, Fanjoy, Moses,
Miles, the victiA5-et the White river
massacre, and legion of others, were
sacrificed in cold blood by Indian per
fidy; and that our hands are clear of
giving any provocation for those dire
full murders Of quiet, lnotfensive men,
women and children. Let it be known
that the Agent Bolca, Il devoted friend
of the Indians, while on an official visit,
was basely murdered by the Iakimas,
and he and his horse together consumed
over slow fire; that by this vile out
rage that tribe defcd the nation, lnsul-
ted its accredited agent, and justly mcr-
tied its rctributivc wrath. Remind
them that the highcrlaw Of selt-defence
and self.protection, of the right to life,
impelled our people to righteous war,
IN the absence ofthat protection, by those
who were under the most sacred obi
cations to afford it.
The Representatives and Senators
now sitting as judges on our claims,
must be human, and will extend pa
tent hearing. We confidently look
for an appropriation at the coming scs-
sion. We look for it because we are
entitled to it. We insist upon the pay
ment of the debt, as created by the &C.
credited Territorial authorities. Our
people believed they possessed the right
to incur such debt, and that the Uni
ted States were responsible for the acts
of their agents. In good faith they de-
voted their time and furnished their
substance, and further delay is immoral