The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1868-05-16
INDIAN AFFAIRS.

barities and to condemn in general, and,
though lack of language to express fully
our intense detestation in somewhat
mild, terms the policy of the govern-
ment toward the Indians, we have not
this season devoted much space to the
great scourge of the west. 1t has not
been through indifference to the situa-
tion, though il is true the annual recnr-
renee OF outrages such as are now
freighting every channel of communica-
tion with crimson messages. has to
certain extent deprived them ofthe thrill
of excitement that comes only with an
infrequent horror. 1t has not been that
our frontier people. long and patiently
enduring that which should be rene
died. have accepted the situation, and
60 beyond the confines of the town or
camp, carrying their lives in their hands
and bearing with scarce a murmur these
terrible grievances; this Offering OF their
homes to the ever lighted torch /; this
and children to the merciless knife of
the savage MS necessarily incidental to
their lot, that We have not raised our
voice more frequently in protestation.
1t is. that where we have seen much
that il wrong and in common with 9TH
ers think the true remedy is a complete
reversal of the entire Indian policy of the
govern ent still every effort thathas been
made to accomplish it has met with the
morbid prejudice of the east, among the
masses, and with the money of contrac-
tors, agents, superintendents. etc, in the
committees and departments. In an
earnest endeavor of years We have failed
to accomplish anything, save it be still
more wicked drivelling policy on the
part OF the government, winning for the
frontiersman still more dangers and for
oursel, es the name and repute of blood
thirsty monsters. Who will say that
this is not so? Is there any inducement
to longer entreat or sue for redress? II
the lurid glare of hundreds of burning
houses. and the death groans Of thou
sands of the governments bravest and
most useful citizens last year, heralded
and repeated in newspapers over all the
land, did but bring parchment to our aid
and powder to the Indians this year.
what hopes have we that better may
come the next by the same process? We
do not agree with our cotemporaries who
sec safety in multiplied military posts in
the interior country. In our estimation.
they are useless, expensive burdens, do
ing more evil than good. We have known
their horses taken from under their
guns; their soldiers sho. down almost
within the stockade; the flag insulted
without reparation, and they dependent
upon citizens to bring them food and
forage We have not known any mill
tary post on the emigrant routes to DC of
any real service to the settlers or emf
grants; nor can they be under the pres.
ent policy. We submit it, if they are
a useless and expensive encumbrance,
hampered by restrictive orders that rem.
der them only targets for the insolent
bravado of the savages without permis-
sion to retaliate, melting them to extend
their war to the settlements, why either
multiply or continue them? The evil
rests not where it can be remedied, ex-
cept at Washington, and We venture the
prediction that if the commanding OF
subordinate officers of any post in the
Indian country would exercise their own
convictions of duty and revenge any
Indian outlawry, they would be pun
ished and probably cashiered. The with
drawal of the posts from the BOzeman
route, tberefore,is cnly to be regretted be-
cause it will be succeeded by orders to pre-
vent emigrants from using the road. The
government says those lands belong to
the Indians. and the whites are en-
croaching upon them. Why then, if
it is intended to be just, does the gov
ernment recognize the white government
in Montana, collect revenue from. and
grant United States titles for lands,
minerals and town sites, upon which,
to the best of our knowledge, the Indian
title has never been extinguished and
is as much the property of the Indians
as the Powder, Tongue or Big Horn val
leys. Justice should be equal. Should
any foreign power do thousandth part
of the outrage to American citizens that
is yearly meted to them by the Indian
tribes, navies would be launched and
armies marched to conquer and revenge.
And yet, Indian hostilities are not only
endured but aided, abetted and encour-
aged bv the Government officials. They
feed and equip their enemies; sacrifice
and plot against the pioneers and in
all things do that which is most calcu-
lated TO result 10 the detriment of the
country, and conspire 10 defeat the pro-
gress of civilization and the develop
ment of the great West. We believe
the ,hing is all wrong shipped and
sra In. thrae contingencies that viii