Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-07-11
The Indian War.

Gen. Hazen, in letter to Senator Hem
derson, dated at Jefferson Barracks, June
10Th, gives some advice as to the way in
which our troublesome Indian question
should be met. Gen. Hazen SAYS:
Place the Indians in the hands of that
branch of the Government that shall give
the greatest guarantee for trusty and hon
est administration. l would recommend
the Freedman's Bureau The high integ-
rity of the chief of that department will
certainly give as an honest beginning.
l would assign to each family of tribes
reservation of proper dimensions, and re-
quire the Indians to live upon them, and
prohibit white people going there unau-
| thorized. This should be commanded in a
proclamation by the President, and vigor-
Gus war made upon such tribes as refuse
to obey; to cease always with obedience.
1 would provide for them such religious
and other instructions, such implements
for agriculture, such domestic animals. and
rations and clothing as might be found
necessary. The regular annuities due them
would go far to provide all these.
An Indian war would then have fixed
and definite purpose-which is the first
requisite in all successful war-under-
stood by the Indian, and its justice
acknowledged by our friends in the East.
Some would be Killed, for in many in
stances, it would be forced removal; but
the extent and danger of the leprosy war
l Td0CS IL, anu humanity WOuiu Uo ScTN0u ny
! it. The stories of tue scalping-knite, the
| midnight flames of the settlers cabin, the
| murder of emigrants, and the capture of
women-madc to live lives each day worse
than death-would cease to shock our
sense and chill our blood.
| This plan is thoroughly practicable, and
! can be ali accomplished in. two or three
| years. Moral means, exercised by honest
/ philanthropisUs, should be used wherever
/ practicable, but quick and vigorous war
/ where such means will not answer. A ju-
dicious employment of the frontieTsmen
and friendly Indians nearest where service
is wanted in winter, when the Indian is
: dependent upon his camps, would soon re-
lduce him to accept our terms. ra
To make war upon the Indian as a pun
ishment, leaving him to retaliate at his
leisure, can never bring about benefits
commensurate with costs or the public re-
quirements.
Our Indian wars, so far, are scarcely more
than a series ofmutual retaliations, and can
be little else until fixed plan, having for
its object the final settlement of the whole
Indian question, is adopted The plan
should comprehend all the Indians of the
lcountry, and should be adopted every
where simultaneously. There then could
be no playing from hand to hand by the
lprofessed peaceable to the actual
Hostile, as is now the case We
might still for few years have trouble
with those across the borders of Mexico
% and the British Possessions but we would
soon have a reliable corps of friendly In.
d dians who could attend to all such bands
: pThe reservation should be well removed
oEfromsthe borders. We are now in a posi-
ton to command these people, and should
no longer ask for peace, which they will
I'not give us, but require it. They are no
numerous, nor difficult to reach, as is gen
orally supposed. -