, 1867-06-28

HAbtohA, y une 1of 1861.
EprroR SrArsRMAs :--It is evident from all ",
can hear, that there is large streak Of hostiIi
ty running through the blood of our redsskir
brethren, "the LO,' throughout that portion Of
the country lying along the eastern, and a por
tion of the western base of the Rocky Noun.
tains; and that the government has at last be.
come aroused to sense OLA long delayed
duty.
The course pursued by the government towards
these redskins, for the last ten years, has been
the system adopted and carried out, have moi
only been large bill of expense to the Govern
ment, but have been the means of fostering upon
the frontier settlements a most intolerable nui-
sance. Indian reservations, scattered las they
are, throughout the length and breadth of the
Pacific Coast, are nothing more nor less than
SO many robbers roosts. In the name of Indians,
and in their behalf, thousands of dollars are
each year drawn from the Golfers of Uncle Sam
and for what2 For the benefit, comfort, and
better regulation of the Indians No, not at all;
but to line the pockets of agents, employees, and
side spectators, who absorb all the substance,
and leave the shadow to the Indian aud by
this means, year after year, these poor, miserable
devils of Indians are turned loose upon COM
munity, to ravage, plunder, and destroy the
scattered property of the whites, who are ever
pushing farther west. And nov that we have,
by the purchase of Russian America, got few
hundred thousand more of these red devils on
our hand, | suppose it will take about as much
per year to keep them n their place, as we paid
for soil, snow, ice, Indians, and all.
The idea that has been pursued for the last
two hundred years, of treating with Indians as
we would with foreign power, is, or ought to
be, an obsolete idea-one that has by far out
lived its usefulness, and should be abandoned.
Suppose, for instance, that "the star of empire"
in its course westward should stumble on a
tribe of Indians-say five or six hundred strong.
They occupy a rich valley, of many thousand
acres of good land, into which flow numerous
streams, well charged with gold. A party Of
pioneers who attempt to enter this valley are
met by these Indians and fgnt ensues, Some
of the pioneers are killed, the rest retreat and
report. In the course of time, the Government
does what?-go forth and chastise these Indians?
No, they send some nearest Indian Agent, to
treat with them for their sacred homesC). Thou
sands of dollars worth of "ictas" are presented
them lover the left,) presents are made, good
time generally is had, and ell appears lovely.
School houses, churches, private dwellings are
ha huilt ha land n1owad nm aowed
reape1 for their benefit, school teachers, minis
listers, blacksmiths, doctors, and wheelrights
to be furnished them, and kept among them,
for all time to come and each year, the Chief
is to receive his $500, and the "tillicums" SO
many thousand dollars worth of "ctAs." Beef
cattle, plOws, hogs, and poultry will also be
furnished in arsnle abundance. What farce!
How much Of all this do the Indians get7 1Bout
M rarrL th-y can put in their eye. The idea
that the whole power of the United States has
been prOstituted to this handful of red skins,
gives them courage, makes them think they are
somebody, and ten chances to one, before the
year is out, they turn their backs on their re-
servaton, leaving the Indian Agent and his en-
ployees in peaceful enjoyment of the whole,
and join some numbering band of Indians, and
take to the road, in hopes, BY their bravery TO
force Uncle Sam to increase their pay by new
treaty.
But how often, I will ask, are these treaties
carried out in good faith by either of the high
contracting parties, particularly SO far as to
awarding to the Indians their just dues under
the contract? Is there any one now living, who
can answer this question? l fear there is not
The solemn treaties entered into by I. I. Stevens
with the Indians on this side of the Rocky
Mountains. as early as 1852, have not been full
6lled-still the agencies exist in hourshiug
condition. Some four years ago, another treaty
was made with the Nez Perce Indians, but even
that treaty has not been complied with, and to
this day, the city of Lewiston stands on Indian,
not United States sOil-soil awarded to the Nez-
Perce Indians by all the solemn promises, as
surances and treaties that Uncle Sam, in his
official capacity, was capable of doing Still,
every day since the treaties were made, they
have been willfully and knowingly violated.
And what do the poor "Los" do Do they 20
-
we treat, if we shamefuly and constantly vic.
late those treaties Not bit of it, They move
along just the same as though every obligation
entered into by Uncle Sam had been fulfilled.
Then, why all this nonsense about Indian treats
les, and all the solemnity that is thrown around
them?
Did you ever attend one of these august assem-
blages the forming of treaty by the "parties
of The first par" Uncle Sam), and the az parties
OF the second part" Qndians)? Well it is truly
an elongated, magnificent farce. The scene
generally opens with few "dead cattle" cooked
whole, or in parts then a few boxes of "nigger.
head" tobacco, after which the solemn conclaye
retire to some secluded, prepared spot, and the
Especial" nephew Of Uncle Sam opens the ball
by an elaborate eulogistic speech, on the virtues
great care and benevolsuce Of their (the Indians)
great Father-the President of the United States
that the aforesaid "Tyee" in his great love
for his valiant and ever beloved red brethren,
has sent them, in bis name, to ascertain the
wants of bis red children, and that be hoped
they would open their hearts and minds, make
their wants known to the fullest extent, so that
henceforth "all would be quiet on the Potomac" F."
After this "Nephew" has got through, and the
int ID fre 81 ~