The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-14
TIE INDIAN QUESTION.
TO 0e Editor Of The Evening Telegyaph.-

styieY OF warfare, with all the horrors of ex,er-
iluStuon in nIi't while from every side come earnest
inquiries for better plan. There is a division
~ senument In the National Government and
tnS CHAIRMAN OF Indian affairs recently said;-
IL ~ the red man has any friends, now is the
the light within - e''
My mind is drawn more to presentation of
EoDWcuOns Tor the settlement OF the difficulty
ehan 70 add TO the vast testimony of outrages
aHeaoy before the nation, though | cannot
omit reference to the latest report of Captain
n9gnes, winch has come to my notice. A valu-
aoie morse had been stolen from the whites, and
q demand was made OF the Grow Indians for the
thlet The chief surrendered him. and he came
out armed to the teeth. He was lassoed, and
tnen hanged in the presence of his tribe Under
the laws of the United States theft is not punish
able with death, not even when the thief is said
10 DC Civilized and surely, If among those who
are called savage, there is need Of greater
charity. We always grant the accused a trial
and fair hearing, and where there is q prompt
surrender and frank confession, as In this case,
Is horrible to take life on the spot. No wonder
the Indian becomes eXasperated.
have no doubt but the good old plan which
was found to answer two hundred years ago
would at least form the basis OF successful
action.
A few months since, when delegation of In
dlan chiefs were IN the city, one of the Chip
peWa tribe, Enmeyan6own, called on me and
said:-''The Quaker speaks from his heart; in
Washington the white man speaks from his
pocket. We have heard of William Penn; we
want TO see his grave.n
and which never fail in producing satisfactory
results. These principles are understood by
the Friends, who, from experience, tuition, and
suffering, make them the basis of their faith
They may be comprehended in pure universal
love, peace, and goodwill.
Tie requirement, then, of the hour is a prdo-
tlcdt use OF this belief, by those who know the
truth and feel that the way is revealed unto
them.
Our pioneer settlers'are in imminent DANCE r.
the poor Wronged red man is deceived and dis
tracted, armies are in motion, and who can tell
the blood and treasure, the loss and cost that
will reQuite the great mistake of our age. /
trem ole for the suffering of the coming winter
No nation in the world treats its a6origines
worse than this nation has done and is doing.
am convinced that we should reverse the
present order. Instead of driving the Indians
further and further off, we should draw them
nearer and nearer to us; we require certain ele.
ments, which they possess, in the blood and
body polite OF the nation. Rather than herd
them together, let them mingle with us. In
stead OF erecting forts in their very faces and
placing standing armies in their midst, course
at once calculated to provoke resistance we
should place the teacher and the friend among
them.
The same treatment given the black man will
serve for the red man. With all the schools
and teachings and preachings for the colored
people, nothing has been so efficient as the
single simple secret of proving there was love
IN our hearts for them. They had long known
of hate, and it was death to them; now they
respond to love, and it is life to them and to the
nation. So with the Indian; he is in insurrec-
tion against wrong and oppression; let him
know we love him, and how quickly will he
reply with friendship and peace! Give him an
interest in the great railroads of the West, show
him their use, and when he visits us, let him
touch the heart OF the people. Take out of the
Constitution the words Indians not taxed"
tor this Is in connection with slavery. We
should retain no invidious distinctions, and if
the tax is the requisite of the vote and conse.
quently of representation and equality, take off
the stigma. The cause of equal rights and
absolute justice must comprehend this duty, for
xUith 0utif nur iS pnD1n nrNO Iiaad
l am further convinced that, as Pennsylva-
mans, enjoying the security and repose of a
home vouchsafed by the friendly treaties of
William Penn, we should declare that the chill
dren OF an All-wise Creator should be recognized
and treated as members of the human family,
and that the Indian being created for some wise
and bene6cent purpose, is a proper object for
our care, protection, and regard, and that while
some may cry eXterminate we reply perpetuate
and cvilIZe; while some say die, we say live;
while some say suffer, we say prevent suffering.
That love- justice, protection, and assistance are
better than hate, oppression, neglect, and in
Jury, and the Indians, loving the same joys, and
deprecating wrongs, should share in such con-
troll over the homestead and the appropriated
domain as is granted to others, located on other
sections, territories or States OF our country
and that iair and proper representation from
their own people, chosen by themselves, is IN
the spirit Of equal justice; this representation
to receive compensation and present the needs,
the sufferiE gs, and the demands of the different
tribes.
That care should be exercised in sending ou
agents; they should be free ron SelhSn ant
avaricious motives. They should be of knowr
integrity of heart and purpose never trading il
firearms and intoxicating LIQUORS, but careful
that the funds appropriated shall be faithfully
disbursed
That in placing teachers among them, i
should be with the view of more intimate asso
citation, as well as instruction in all the branches
of industry and the comforts and customs o
civilized life; and while keeping aloof from
sectarian teachings, and respecting as far a
possible their sincere religious devotion, opening
the avenues of kind fraternal intercourse ant
reciprocal commerce, and thus prepare then
for full citizenship.
That a communication and correspondence
should be opened with such tribes as can b
reached, with message in the following splrit:-
Tear friends, neighbors, and children OF tn
same Great Spirit illed with love, sympathy
ard peace we now address you. Thinking yo
may not fully understand that there is deeI
abiding interest in your welfare and happines
existing in the hearts OF at least portion
the American people, we, as PennsylVanians
grateful for the friendly treaties OF our fort
fathers desire to make known to you that W
harbor no animosity; that we wish to give 20
our knowledge, growth, happiness, and abul
dance SO far as the gift may be in our power [
bestoW and in yours TO receive.
We would have you know that our Govern
ment is from the people, aud changes in accort
ance with popular sentiment, and we encourae
YOU to prepare yourselves for a representato
and participation therein, that you may stat
your grievances, your suferings and your n
duirements, and thus mould public opinion, an
obtain that assistance which will make you ha
and bravery, and thus contribute to the commo
M humanity