Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-11-20
OR INDIAN POLICY.

Colonel Tappan, one OF the Indian Peace
Commissioners, has returned to this city, and
GEMS TO be Industr1ously AZ work to induce an
abandonment of the sherman Sheridan policy
Of dealing with the hostile Indians lately
adopted by the Government, and a return to
the pleasing system of buying temporary
ab.tentisn from murderous deeds by these
sayages by presents of Winchester rifles and
ammunition, 10 be used almost Immediately
against white men, women, and children
20 onel Tappan means well. No doubt he sin
cereiy believes that the way TO deaf with the
sayages who roast railroad engine men alive
- ihelr own fire-bOxes. and mutilate the bodies
OF their victims, female as well as male, in so
shocking and beastly a manner as to be uure
portable In print, Is to talk soft sawder with
mem al monthly pow-wOws, and 10 give them
uhlin1ted presents. Bur his IDEAS are not
AAeiJ W prevail, we take IL. The country il
ured OF the sentimental mode of dealing with
the hostile Indians and General Sheridan will
probably be allowed to 70 on and execute his
purpose OF making a vigorous war as the fouu
oauon Tor permanent peace He expresses
DIS intention of making this the cad of the In
olan wars in that section, If let alone There
are now OF hostile Indians in the territory
where Sheridan is operating some 20,OOO; Of
Nhicn aggregate we may estimate from zoos to
1860 warriors
Doubtless one Of the earliest subjects taken
opt Congress al its next meeting will be that
OF establishing some general policy OF dealing
with the Indians, such rs Will put an end to
the present unsatisfactory condition of affairs
1t Is probable that a measure will be adopted
providing that all Indians except those now on
reservations, and those who have adopted the
customs Of civilization, shall be placed on two
reservations Of suitable size and productive
ness to contain and support them, one on the
east side of the Rocky mountains for all the
lndisns between the mountains and the Mis-
slssippi river, the other on the west side
VI the Rocky mountains for all the Indians
between the mountains and British Columbia
Further providing that there shall be no
further recognition of their distinct NATIONAL
titles by treating with tribes and bands or
the heads OF tribes and bands; no further
recognition of their night to the country over
which they roam by purchasing or proposing
to purchase the same; no further promise for
paymentto them OF mOney property. or annui-
Ties IN any shape or form. To make ~ known
to all OF these Indians as the settled and IN
flexible policy Of the government that they are
to 90 upon these reservations TO be there pro-
vIded for, protected. and Taught the arts of civ
iized LIE. To provide that all Indians with
ont respect - their tribal relations voluntarily
surTendering themselves or captured in war,
shall b" taken, placed, and kept on these res
erVaiions, 10 be the wards of the government
controlled an managed at it, discretion To
provide that all existing Indian superinten-
denotes, agenCIes. and reservations shall be
dspt nsed with "a soon as practicable, and the
Indians connected Herewith consolidated with
the others upon these two reservations.
Senator Williams introduced a measure of
this purport last winter, but there was not op-
pOrtunity 10 act upon II. The recent Indian
outrages will cause a strong pressure for the
early adoption OF Some settled and decided pol
Icy with regard TO our future dealing Is with the
Indians.