Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-11-22


conciiiatc and compromise with the Rebels
WHAT TO DO WITH THE INDIANS.
WISHES OF THE NOTWITHSTANDING
FROM THE INDIAN DEPARTMENT TO THE
PRESIDENT.
The people of the Northwest have sent,
through Senator Pomeroy, a communication
to the Indian Department requesting the
removal and concentration of the scattering
Indian tribes. 1t has been endorsed by the
Secretary of the Interior and sent to the
President for his sanction. 1t is as fol
lows -
\ MEMORIAL TO THE COMMISSIONER OF IN
DIAN AFFAIRS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF
TIE INTERIOR
The undersigned. a citizen of the State of
Kansas, would respectfully represent that
there is a strong and increasing anxiety on
the part of the white settlers, which is also
shared to considerable extent, by the en-
lightcned and civilized Indians of our from
tier States, for the removal and consolidation
of the small tribes into one general, distinc
tive Indian country. where all the tribes
may be concentrated in one settlement 49,
where they can more surely be protected by
the ovcrnmcnt-instructed and elevated
by the phianthropiC, and where they may
remain in undisputed possession forever
Having recently held correspondence, and
had conversation with some Of the head
men of the Cherokee Nation, J learn that
the migration and settlement of the loyal
! Indians, who are living in small bands in
Kansas and elsewhere would be most de
sirablc acquisition to that Indian country.
| And that their removal and settlement there
would strengthen, maintain, and perpetuatc
the cause Of the Union forever. Having
! lived among Indians and seen the causes of
! their decentralization, and studied the ques-
tion of their destiny with no ordinary inter
est, | beg leave to submit the following
reasons as influencing my own judgment i'll
/ favor OF this measure.
! First. These small. dctcnCelcSs tribes sur
rounded by white settlers, are subject to
constant dcpredations, destructive alike to
! the best interests of the whites and the
/ Indians
Second The history and experience of
almost three centuries teach that such con
! tact dcgradcs the white man, dcmoulizes
| the Indian, and tends directly to his cXtcr
| minatiOn.
| Third. While scattered in small bands,
/ '.
| tiona and religious influences So essential
! to their elevation and improvement; also,
| experimental agriculture and practical farm
/ ing must be entirely neglected while they
are so scattered
! Fourth. All the Indians-no matter by
what name they are callcd-arc essentially
| one people. Their color, origin habits and
nationality indicate that, without violence
to nature or prejudice, they can become one
! and Homogeneous.
Fifth. That, consolidated as one people
! they would enjoy the combined and conccn-
! tratcd influences of all religious dcnOmina-
! tionS, who have for centuries made the most
! COmmcndabc efforts for their improvement.
Sixth. They would (conCcntratcUD be able
to enjoy the uninterrupted protection of the
! United States Government, as the military
forces, which have always been stationed
| for their protection and defence, could
easily be massed for that purpose, and made
effective.
Seventh. 1t would lessen the vast cxpcn-
diturc of our present system, and the evil
and expense of small local agencies could be
rcmcdicd, and these sources Of enormous
frauds dried up.
Eighth. This system Of consolidation and
removal, if made successful, would stimulate
and facilitate the settlement and wealth ot
/ the new States. While it secured the
building and completion of their system OF
internal improvements, ii would also remove
to great extent, the fruitful sources OF
mptatoll-idlCncss, intempcruncc, dissipa
ton and fraud.
And finally, under the blessing of Al
mighty God, would arrest the wasting away
and total extinction of a once gallant and
heroic race, and restore them to their dis
tinctiye nationality, where they viii posses,
and enjoy the rights Of their manhood. The
blessings of their own Government, and
ultimately making themselves II light to tn,
nations and an honor TO mankind.
| am led to the early submitting of thi,
policy to the Department from the recent
outbreak in Minnesota, feeling admonishrd
that, as we have the same combuStiblc ma
tcrial, some misguided hand may apply tn,
torch of destruction in my own State
| urge these considerations by all til,
history Of the past-by all the calamitic,
that ovcrhang the present hour-as well also
rs by the visions of hope that may brighten
the opening future.
If these views shall meet the concurrence
of the Department, and it should be deemed
eXpcdient, | trust some suitable person viii
at once be appointed to take the initiative
steps, with a view of making treaties. tol
the concurrence Of the President and the
Senate at its next session.
am, respectfully, &c
: c. PoMERoY.