, 1863-05-02
Things wise and Otherwise.


ton .4ge office for publication; but after it had
been partly set up, the elegant and high toned
editor of that paper concluded that it should not
90 into bis paper as t contained too many binding
truths in relation to The proposal made by him, TO
force the Nez Perces to give up their lands. The
author asserts that S,rantio showed the article
around town; giving the namo ofthe authO--a
thing disgraceful in any man connected wiA the
press. After this high toned feat, the manuscript
was returned 10 the author
1t is not always wise to speak all we think
Silence is Otter more potent than words i'll
spoken 1t is unwise to court discussion in Ian
guage which admits its own faacy, and vaunts the
falsity of its premises We need not build up
theories nor institute arguments to prove sell-Pvi
dent truths. When a question has not two sides
--an affirmative and a negative-it ceases to be
a question, and will not admit ofargument. There
is a question now being discussed and prema-
turely, as | shall attempt to show which is of
vastly more importance to the people of Lewiston
and vicinity than any which has hitherto been
bruited amongst us 1t has two sides, and but
one has vet been shown up. allude to the ques-
tion of the occupation and cultivation of the lands
Of this Reservation, in contempt OF all treaty OF
legations, either present or anticipated.
| am sorry the dtarh of topics for newspaper
articles has rendered it necessary to moot this
question al this time. 1t was an unhappy event
for our community, when our chrcnclers and news
mongers were compelled, from any cause to fOist
in breezy editorials such ill-imed and fallacious
ideas with reference 10 a subject which embraces
the most vital interests of r people and that
at time when, of all others, forbearance and dis
cre;on should have Geen our characteristic viz
tues. Every article, pertaining to the rights OF
the Nez Perces, that has been published here, nas
been fully interpreted TO them and in sCme in
stances with most diabolica variations" T!ey
are daily complaining of the bad intentions of the
whites towards them and, like others have done
before them, they may take the intention for the
deed, and act upon il, without waiting for any
covert act" on OUr pant. 1t is readily admitted
that we are all uSurpers; ard, notwithstanding
1.-The natural train Of circumstances that brought
the Anglo Saxon race into their country in pur-
suit of precious minerals" there are certain i'm
mutabe laws to which we are, each of US, amen
able. For us to assert bluntly that ''he future
use of this reservat;an is lost to the Nez Perces
tribe forever !" is to assume that "might makes
right = which, in these latter DAYS is an exploded
ilea. What earthly good can hope to derive
from advocating such ;nsubordinae measures
their homes can in 10 wise be strengthened or
legalzed by the futile arguments of irresponsible
pen writers.
We certainly do not propose TO foresal the
Neg erces mind preparatory to the forthcoming
treaty else more ccnciliatOry mode of reason
ing wou'd have been adopted.
Among many other drops of comfort" distilled
from our press for the consolation Of the Ne2
Perces, fad this
I'VE shall wait patiently little while longer
and if the "powers that be" do not conclude
treaty, Mr. Whi.e-man or Mr.. Red-man will have
TO leave lhs soil adding by way Of a clincher,
| suppose, that the former will never leave it,
until they go down thc narrow path appointed for
all the living"
Then follows "we are opposed to the removal
Of the Indians from the country" Now, | am not
disposed to joke over his mshaps, but, truly. if
This is not dilemma it is, at least, tight fix"
for Mr.. Red man to get into.
"It is a loregOne conclusion, and to be mealy-
mouthed for policy or to CRAFTY few who are
their agents, whose p and have no regard for us
is played out. We shall raise the necessaries of
life The coming season. as far as kind nature will
allow them to grow Indian or no Indian, law or
no law. The deprivation Of the soil will not be
tolerated. &C."
There is bad spirit, coupled with bad taste in
its effects deleterious, however much or little it
moy produce. Again:
If the agents Of lhe Government will act with
common sense and listen 10 the advice of those
who live in the midst of them and know their
(whoSe p pecu!iarities, all will be well. A pecu
liar state Of affairs now exists, and it requires
shrewdness, sagacity, and the exercise of a calm
judgment TO cope with all the complications that
will arise"
Whether the "agcnts of the Government will
consider this a compliment to their "shlewdness
and Sagacity," or as rebuke to the common
sense Of the author-whether or not they will
consider it at all--is not for me to determine.
Let us not become too fillibusterng in our no.
lions. Let us 90 SLOW "E. g." in introd ucng
this subject, did not propose such course-nor
in such coarse terms--as has since been adopted
in its discussion but everybody seems to have
mania, nowadays, for the "falSrhood of ex-
nemes." 1t may not he amiss to find fault with
the Government and its agents; Come people like
thiS) but is it meet that we should attempt to
"pay even" by pitching in after Mr. Red-man
When Gov Stevens "perilled his life among these
Indians and made a treaty, the Nez PerceS raj
lied to his rescue, and fought under his standard ;
Otherwise he would have found himself in Just
such light fix" as is now proposed for Mr..
Red-man-where they would have opposed his
leaving and ol jected tl his staying.
Situated as we are, it is not best TO be so def
ant Let US not quarrel with everybody. If we
have violated the plightcd faith Of the Govern
ment in settling here if we have since outraged
civil and municipal law let US not now, subject
ourselves TO the more rigid and inexorabe man
dates ot the military law. The Government has
not done its duty towards the Nez PerceS-have
lre suffered from the failure more than they? LIS
ag nts have not done their duty (elSe would
not now be here to accuse and cenSure them) but
all the articles we may write and publish can not
effect any material reform in their conduct, while
they act under instructions and orders which
neither we nor they can modify and change. Let
US, then, agree to maintain a wise and HlaStery
silence" upon this point awhile longer in the hope
that "orr deliverer will come, Ly-and-by' in the
form of treaty; at least let Us not wtully place
impedimeniS in the way Of his coming
If my advice is not ,OiSe, it is othert0ise and it
is cheap, Hkei0iSe. TROOPER.
For THE OLD MINEs.-A considerable
number of miners from Boise have passed
through this city during the week, on their
way to the old mines of-Oro Fino Elk city,
Florence. Salmon river and Warren's.-