Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1867-08-30

BISHOP WHIPPLE's OPINION.


In recently published letter, Bishop.
Whipple, of the Episcopal diocese of Min
nesota, who had much to do with the In
dams, thus sets forth his opinion OF the
manner in which they should be treated
and provided for:
l believe the present Secretary is trying
to reform evils, but the great evil is out
side of him, in the horde of INSCRIPTIONS
politicians who use the Indian claims to
rob the Indians and the government. You
may ask me what is to be done. [ believe
that repentance among nations as well as
men begins in restitution. The reason
why see no end to the Indian war is, /
sec no Indian robbery. The Indians know
it as well as we. have never known an
instance where a white man was ever pun
ished for any crime of theft, robbery, out
rage or murder committed against an In
dian. have never met an Indian whom
the Government had taught to read, but
know of scores and hundreds whom mis-
sionaries have taught. 1t is useless to le-
capitulate the list of robberies. It will
do no good. The record is in Washington
and heaven And we may be sure God
is not Knocked, whatsoever man soweth
that shall he also reap" In dealing with
the savage foes who are now desolating
every route of our western travel, we must
have the best talent Of the old regular ar
my; not men who can make promises and
break them, who hope to conquer savages
by deeds of cowardly crimes which make
savages blush. There are men in America
who never violated their word to a red
man, men who know how to deal with saw
age crimes, who can deal justly and fear
God. Investigating committees will do
their work better by tracing from the APP
preparation at Washington, and doubt
whether much time would be spent in vain.
The real evil is, that whatever is done is a
mere expedient for the day A committee
their door. Two plans are open; one is
to place the Indians in the care of the War
Department; the other is to provide for q
Board Of Inspection, as proyided,in the bill
last winter one of this Board to be eI
o11icio Colonel of the Regular Army, one
appointed by the President, and one to be
recommended by the different ecclesiasti-
cal bodies of the land. Either of these
plans would secure reform The points
| to be secured areAs fi5a go t.t-3 -
1. Personal supervision over the Indian
agencies by competent board. -...tr,
g. Agents and employees of high char
acter, amply paid, who hold their offices
| during good behavior. .s}Lt > Li.Gi.To
| 3. Rights of property and deed In lee
inalienable of twenty or more acres to
every family. sr3ds''dpF ro) LtHf''
! L. The protection and restraint by law
to punish the guilty and protect the limo
cent. ,.e-t5,ss} t.f,atqiH isoE
s. A wise system of schools under prop
er superintendent.
g. Missionaries to be protected and en-
couraged by the moral influence of the
Government, which has often been against
them f9a'H 5' ~ 'H'''l'''+' -
n. A just system of trade. '.a7r qest~is
| s. All government expenditures to be
for purposes of civilization, and not one
dollar for paint beads and savage orna-
mente. gGiiId ,HI 133ta f891 -3efoA
| 8. A refusal to recognise any debts or
claims against Indians to be paid out of
the moneys of the tribe. This system of
Indian claims is the real cause of all our
dishonesty; it involves traders, Congress
men and officials, and is the cause of all our
| Indian wars. u -
Whenever the people will take hold of
this system, it will be reformed. Until
1 then, interested parties will foment war,
and men guilty of robbery will poison the
| pupllc mlnu against every man VINO cares
TODD right. = D''
| Twill close my letter as did one five
years ago; am sick at heart; fear the
words of a statesman to me are true =
Bishop, every word you say of this In
dian system is true; the nation knows it !;
it is useless. Your faith is only like that
of the man who stood on the banks of the
river, waiting for the waters to run dry,
that he might cross over dry shod p All
have to say is, that if a nation is so deaf
that 1t will not hear plea to redress
wrongs which the whole people admit call
for reform, God in mercy pity us and our
children. no i 8ar a. 10 bfeaer i eqg II