The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-02-20

whose officers, agents and employ ees,
practice such Injustice, cruelty and
vrooC mon them. as we find there re-
corded in SO great q number OF lnstan-
ces. And then the sad consequences
that follow, in the destruction OF these
poor people! AS pathetically stated by
one of their number: 'FIFTY YEARS AGO,
our numbers we're many. ONCE, We
covered this great continent. From cast
to west. and from north to south, was the
Red Mans Country, and the Red Man
home. To-day, we are few in number
We are fast dwindling away:-falllng'
like the leaves of the forest, TO rise no
more'*
According to the census returns, the
policy that has been pursued towards
these Indians, has reduced their numbers
from 4OO.764. which was their popula
tion in $780, to 332.093 which was their
population in 1861 being decrease III
tue intervening period of ten years, OF
69,671. or more than one sixth OF All the
Indians that existed in our country at
the time the census OF 1890 was taken!
But this is now past. All we can do
with these facts. startling though they
he. is 70 make them u basis from. which
to plead for change Of policy, ahd To
draw from them lessons of experience
and instruction as guides for the future
The fusure is still left to us; and al
though fears exist in contemplating 1t.
hopes rise superior to them AS. in the
practice Of continued cruelty upon an
individual, point may be reached in
his injured physical system, from which
the most unremtted subsequent kind
ness cannot restore him. nor the most
assiduous nursing and attention prevent
his going down to an untimely grave;
so, continued injustice, wrongs, outrages
ans cruelties, practiced by powerful
nation upon a weak people, may be car
ried 80 such an extent, that restoration
is impossible, and nothing remain but
ultimate determination or extinction.
But, we rejoice to believe. this point
is by no m cans reached in regard to the
Indians. There is great ground for
hope, that by the government pursuing
kind, just, and liberal policy towards
them in future, they may be preserved
and enlightened; and in order that suci,
humane policy may be inaugurated to-
wards them, is the object of this earnest
and solemn appeal on their behalf.
A great amount of evidence is afford
ed by the Reports and Documents here
in before enumerated, which you have
published, that the Indians are highly
capable of civilization and enlighteu-
ment, aud Of conducting agricultural,
mechanical and manufacturing pursuits.
when properly instructed, protected and
influenced, not only sufficient for their
own support, but to have surplus.
The following interesting picture Of
the Indian character, drawn by Hon
John B. Sanborn, Special Indian Com
missioner, and published by government
has much in it which is highly sugges-
tive and encouraging:
'Seen in their native state" he says,
t'and before they have been brought in
contact with civilized men, the Indians
have many of the noblest traits. They
have great love for fame and glory;
great contempt for suffering and death;
and not one element in their nature that
will lead them under any circumstances,
to submit to any form or condition of
slavery. They have quite correct and
philosophical ideas Of government, and
Of laws; all have belief in a future
state, where the conditions will depend
upon conduct during earthly existence:
they have good powers Of thought and
reason, and not few of each tribe have
the rare faculty of oratory. Are there
not sufficient traits and elements of
character here, by proper influence and
training, to develop into noble
civilized race? They seem to be. in no
respect. inferior to our European ances-
tors, at aud previous to the invasion et
Julius Caesar They are savage and no
madic; so were the European races;
They are warlike aud brave; so were
the European races: perhaps tine latter
were less so. They are superstitions
and religious. SO were the European
races. They are revengefnl; so were
the European races: and there seems to
be nothing in their nature or condition,
to preclude them from civilization, that
might not be found in the nature and
disposition Of our ancestors, except that
our ancestors, when Overrun and crush
ed by the Roman power, submitted to
the condition of slavery; whereas this
race will all die free, rather than live
slaves. It is therefore to be fairly con
cluded, when this race is compared with
any of those who, from q state of barba-
rism, have risen to civilization, that >Ce
find them in no respect inferior and
that there is nothing in the natural or
ganization and condition of the Indians,
to- preclude them from civilization and
mental culture. But, if their natural or
ganization and condition do not pre-.
clude them from civilization and general
development, then we must be pursuing
an erroneous policy, or falling to carry
out policy which is sound in itself,
into effect For the result has been, to
drive an independent and lordly race
into the condition of dependents and
beggars; to convert generous, grateful,
and noble spirits, into craven, bitter and
degraded souls, to degrade and destroy
the man. and cultivate and develop the
fiend."S
Witness the advancing condition OF
the remnant Of the once powerful Con
federation of the Six Nations; in the
State Of New York, as exhibited in the
several late reports Of the Commissions,