Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-05-04
cer. Hancock ana the Indians.

Our relations with the Indians, upon
which has hitherto been considered our
frontiers have assumed an importance that
will occupy much public attention, for some
time to come. Oar intercourse with the
mining regions for precious metals, with our
now immense Pacific coast possessions, and
the necessity Of providing homes for these
nomadic people, Of whom VIC are the legit-
innate protectors, demand . practical and
speedy solution Of the Indian question.
General Hancock sppsass 70 have gone
promptly y work and coopsllsd the ns>
tivss to shoW their hand, and " shall prob
ably have stirring news from that quarter
soon. We seem to have vague impressions
that these people are net fairly dealt with;
:has they srs IN soas instances dsfnuded
and oppressed BY dishonest officials Of he
Government, who should bs their psetsc-
tors, and who are stimulated 10 hostility ~
designing persons claiming to be their
frien IT, Unfortunately, this is to . greater
or less extent true, and cannot be changed
so long Is they continue TO be = sep.rate
people, not mixing with. and unrestrained
by The habits and customs of the CIVILIZED
world Our knowledge Of their real condi-
ton is limited, and can only be gathered in
fragments here and there, mainly from
sources interested in suppressine correct in
forInation--hencs our vsgus impressions
and imperfect knowledge. Several Of tn,
tribsa. the Sioux, the Chsysnoss. etc. asso
oisss freely with our people, while SOM
others che Camsnchss. f! Arrapahoss. III
Apaehss. .stc.. ere vild and tiaid in tn
psssvacs u whites. end No amount Of kind
ness OF aslsntion saa subdus o. tame them
There are in THAT possion::of the coan
Try . great many .sdventsssrs. possess
lug energy. sAsswdsess. and cusning. Il
some cases we'll educated, and In Ill eass
daring sad uossrspuleus. These Individual
follow seos occupation. The resources fo
which purpose In such > sesiss bsing liais
sd-ssch % trading for fass. husting ans
"ranching' which latter calling 10 having Z
little sillable lsad, few cattle and horses
trading with Indians. and white "Pilgrims'
-or trains. These advsnturers have sccesl
to all the military posts, meet and have free
access 70 al trains, and possess the almost
unlimited confidence Of The Indians with
whom they associate. II 10 known that tbs
Indians have possessed knowledge Of th'
movements Of trains and Of troops, which
thew could oobtlin from no other sources
and they hsvs been able to attack with :
certainty Of success. Yet 10 we'll 10 tho sc
cret kept bv these adssnturers and 70 skill
f4l are they in their movements that il has
been hitherto almost an impossibilty 20 oh
tain sufficient evidence Of completely t.
punishment. These people have 10 deub,
been instrumental in bringing about The
feeling which has prec'pitated the presen,
conflict. They expsc, TO be greatly benefit
ted by the expenditures made to sustain III,
warfare. As long as the Indians remair
separated from the immediate vicinity an,
protection of tho white settlements, so lonI
will they of necessity 10 the victims Of tn
superior intelligence Of inscription
whites.
The war will necc ssarily be expensive an
vexatious, owing 10 the difficulties in trans
porting supplies, and the superior facilitie
pcssesred by the Indians for subsistence an
the adoptability Of their country for thei
mode of warfare. II secsns 10 be unavods
BILE aud must pro seed.