The national Republican., 1867-09-24
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.


will demand the wisest statesmanship,
guided by the purest patriotism, to bring
the nation out Of its troubles and estab-
lish harmony and peace in all our borders.
Never since we have been q nation has
there been time like this, when IL was
more imperatively demanded Of our pub
lie men that they should rise superior to
party, and, not forgetting principle, act
for the common veal, devoting all their
best energies to this end, "the greatest
good of the greatest number" 1t is not
our purpose in this connection, as some
may suppose from what we have already
said, to discuss the reconstruction ques.
ton. The conflict in this regard is be-
tween parties, the mass Of whose adhe-
rents may be considered patriotic, only
each party is seeking in its own way and
by its own chosen methods to bring about
harmony between the two sections, and
thus fuse into one peaceful brotherhood
the North and the South. Every one who
loves his country must desire to see this
consummation as soon as possible.
But we dismiss this question for the con-
sideration Of another, though 1t does not
obtrude itself SO prominently before the
eyes Of the people. Yet tits, nevertheless,
question fraught with great and vital
interests to the nation. It is this: what
shall be done with and for the Indian
Some declare that it is our duty to wage q
war Of determination against all those
tribes that have assumed warlike attitude
against our people on the frontier; that
nothing short Of the utter annihilation Of
these redskins" will suffice to bring
peace to our borders, and enable our peo-
pie to quietly pursue their avocations in
building up that grand empire Of the
West. When you speak Of sparing these
savage warriors, they will silence you by
the recital Of some horrid butcheres which
will curdle your blood, and then exclaim,
triumphantly, what can you do but destroy
race so bloody-minded and treacherous?
In reply to this, it may be pertinent to
inquire whether it be just, wise, or humane
treachery and pracuced cruelty Of few
1t is affirmed by the Indian extermina
tor that these people are incapable of ant
unwilling to, enter upon those steps which
may result in their civilization. Now
we venture the remark that II they were
gathered upon reservations, and furnished
with the implements OF agriculture and the
helps and influences OF civilization, that
they would, in the peaceful pursuits Of
h.usbandry, soon learn war no more. We
are confirmed in our opinion upon this
Question by reading an account Of re
cent conference which these Indian chief
held with the commissioners at FortSully
The opinion was freely expressed by then
trat they would like to settle together and
engage in agriculture on more extended
scale than at present A correspondent
who has accompanied the commissioner
writes from Yankton, Dakota Territory
unds- date Of September 8, that the In
dians they have met at different point
have expressed willingness and an earn
est desire for all the practical benefits O
civilized life.
1t is represented that the Indian speak
ers at Fort Sully were strongly in favor O
the plan of being settled upon IL reser
vations, and they desired the commission
ers to give them aid in learning the arts @
peace and agricultural labor. One Of tn
chiefs said that now they died every win
ter from starvation, and expressed desir
to be with the white people, and to be rich
so that the squaws and pappooses need no
go hungry"
We trust that the next session OF Con
gress, having the report Of the Commis
Bioners before them, will act understand
ingly, and that methods will be adopted L
test this question as to whether these In
dians are capable or not Of civilization
that they will be placed upon reservation
and furnished with helps, and such mean
rs shall test this question thoroughly. W
are confident Of success, and hence the en-
OF our Indian troubles, il this plan b
adopted.