Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-08-11
INDIAN AFFAIRs.

The Superintendent of Indian Affairs
teiegraphs from Ellsworth, Kansas, uuder
date OF August 8, that he has had inter
views with the Arrapahoes, Apaches KiO-
was and Camanches, and arranged every
thing in satisfactory manner. The Cheg-
ennes are not included in the Superinten-
dents telegram, although it is known they
are displeased and disposed to be mis-
chievous because the government has with
held their supply of arms and ammunition.
Arms and ammunition have been likewise
withheld fran the Kiowas for some time.
owing 10 the fact that they violated treaty
stipulation and made war upon the Kaws,
who are friendly to the whites. Besides
| this, they are charged with invading the
government territory for warlike purposes.
A scarcity of provision among the Ca
manches is the alleged cause for dissatis-
faction among the members of that tribe.
Over twelve hundred lodges of red men
we're present at council held by General
Sully, and the prevailing tone of the talks"
was pacific. The fact that troops were
posted at all available points in the neigh
borhood, and completely commanded the
assemblage, might have had much to do
with the exhibition of Indian moderation
in their demands. They claimed that the
government should supply them with
| arms, ammunition and provisions, and at
the same time not enforce the treaty regu-
lstion with reference 10 Furnishing their
enemies in too rigid a manner. Reports
state that while the Indians are now quiet,
it is probable that, unless aided by the
government in a liberal manner, they may
resort to stealing rather than starve. This
will bring on difficulties with the whites,
conflicts will ensue, and in the end the In
dams suffer severely.
In what way Superintendent Murphy
satisfied the Indians with whom he had a
conference, is not stated in the telegram
from Ellsworth. He apprehends no trouble
in the future. But that is vague and
unsatisfactory foundation on which to
build hopes of permanent peace with
such tribes as the Apaches and Camanches.
These are the red-handed outlaws of the
plains. War, rapine and plumber, is
their business. They keep no promises
In daylight they eat with travellers; at
night steal their stock, and cut their
thrOats. If these tribes are to be restrained,
it must be by proper and judicious appli-
cation of force. They should have more
food and less arms and ammunition. The
need of the latter will be diminished lust
in proportion as the former Is supplied in
the requisite quantities. In this conneC-
ton, it will be necessary for the Indian
agents TO teach the savages economy in the
use of provisions. At the present time the
red man thinks only Of to-day. He has
no care for tomorrow. Food, sufficient
for fortnight, is used or wasted at a single
CarOuse, aud then come complaints of
scarcity of provisions. If more are not
furnished, bad blood is at once engendered,
and then blows, not words, are the result.
But, TO carry out this system, the In.
dams must be located on reservations. 1t
is idle to? talk of Curbing the vicious pro.
pensities Of sagagea, while they are sui-
fered to roam over the plains az free IA the
deer. The youths catch the spirit Of their
fathers, and scorn the restraints OF clvlllza
ton as something derogatory to the free
dom Of a true son Of the plain and the
mountain. They look upon the white
man AZ their natural enemy. The railroad,
the telegraph, and all other evidences OF
the approaching domination of the white
race, FIJI their minds with dire torebodings
of coming evil. The only manner in
which they can be brought under proper
subsection, and made 10 understand that
the government is their friend, not their
enemy, il TO cOnfine them on a certain ter
ritory. When this is done, the arts Of war
can no longer be cultivated, and in their
place will come the gentle aims of peace,
and the Indian will learn TO accept the
inevitable DEGREES of fate, and lean upon
the government as ward does upon the
arm of his guardian. This question of
dealing with the Indians is an important
one, and it should be met in large and
philanthropic spirit.-PhiiadelPhia Age
Ana G.