Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1865-02-18
Siout City &egister
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. II, 1865.
INDIAN AGENTS w.. MILITARY.
1t is we'll known here that an aggressive


war has commenced by the Indian Agents,
traders, and their dependents, against
General Pope, General SULLY, aud all
others connected with late operations
against the Indians of the Northwest In
furtherance of their scheme the leaders Of
the movement are now en- route to Wash
ington for the purpose Of giving their dis
interested !! testimony before the Con.
gressional Committee on the conduct of
the war. While it is no doubt true that
there are q few Agents who have CON-
scientious realization of the fact that the
Government, acting as guardian, makes
these men its instruments for providing
for the wants, administering to the neces.
sites, and promoting the advancement Of
these savage wards of the Nation, it is
notorious to all who have had the least
experience upon the frontier that the great
majority of them are the very worst speci
mems of Government appointees, even in
these days of stupendous swindles and
shoddy operations. The immense sums
that are annually appropriated, either in
payment of lands or as gratuity, instead
Of relieving the wants Of the Indians
providing them with food, clothing, men
tai or moral culture, are made to swell
the personal emo!uments of these repre-.
seutatiyes of a great and generous people.
Men who all their lives have been com.
PEELED to labor and economist, upon receiv.
ing these appointments with salary Of
$500, are able at once to assume q style
Of regal splendor; they purchase magni
fcent domains-rear palatial mansions
engage in the most stupendous financial
schemes-clothe themselves literally in
purple and tine linen, while in many we'll
known instances in our region Of country
the Indian, for whose benefit this money
was appropriated, are compelled to beg
from door to door, to steal, or to perish
from cold and hunger. We can now cite
number Of cases, sustained by the most
been driven from homes guaranteed to
them by the broad seal of our Nation, and
actually starved to death, and this too
while provision the most ample had been
made for their support.
God knows we have no mawkish gym.
pathy for these savage barbariane, and no
disposition had We the power to avert the
just punishment for their cruel assaults
upon unprotected settlers-but We venture
the assertion tina. if the truth was known
IN every instance within the last few years
OF Indian outrges, the responsibility rests
upon the Agents, and would not have
occurred but for the preparation Of the
mos. palpable and outrageous swindes
upon their part; and further, that peace
with the Indians is only attainab!e upon
one OF the following alternatives: either
an entire change in the Indian po,cy-a
radical cleaning out of the ro,ton Agen.
cies, Or else total annihiIaton Of the last
ves'age of these savage tribes.
No man has had better opportunity of
knowing these things than Brig. General
aSCLLT; he has had palpabls demonstra.
ton OF their truthfu.ness; he has seen nd
heard for himself; has drawn conclusions
from his own personal observation, and
with an honesty Of purpose, having in
view the best interests of the Government.
the settlers and the Indians reported to
the proper department the results of his
experience with bis views as to future
operations. Such report must in the
very nature Of things excite the auimos,y
OF those who have been |uxuriating upon
their Ill gotten spoi!s, and hence the pres.
ent movement. The allegations of the
General must be met in some way regard
less Of expense; and as an attack in front
might be dangerous, bold flank move.
ment is resolved upon; the Agents visit
Washington. scattering by the way omin.
GUS hints of astounding revelations that
they propose to make affecting the char.
acter of the General Commanding-the
late expeditions, and his subordinate dis
bursting officers.
The whole thing is a shameful subter.
fnge to destroy the force of the Generals
recommendations. and at the same time
cover up their own yilainies. After two
years operations here we have no hesi,a.
ton in saying that for skill as Comman.
der and integrity os on officer. General
SuLLY has the confidence of officers, men,
and citizens almost without single ex.
ception. It is the universal sentiment
that be has accomplished all that could
have been done, and that he has faithfully
end prudently guarded the interests of the
Government. OF the many thousands
who have approached him without form or
ceremony in the multifarious operations
Of bis two campaigns We hsys never
heard Of . single intimaiion from any ono