The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-20
OUR RELATIONS WITH TIE INDIANS.

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Meeting Of the General Committee Of the
United States Indian Comnaission-Eishop
Whipple's Report.
The General Committee OF the Commission estab-
lshed for the purpose of defending the Indians
within the limits OF the United States from cruelty
and fraud assembled at nine A. NJ yesterday In the
rooms OF the Geographical Society, Cooper Institute,
to hear the report OF Bishop Whippe, Of Minnesota,
on the moral ana temporal condition OF the Indian
tribes on the Western frontier. Upon the meeting
being called to order by the Rev. Howard Crosby,
who oficiated as chairman, an appropriate prayer
was offered by the venerable Bishop Kemper, of
Wisconsin. Mr.. Benjamin Fatham then presented
copy OF the memorial addressed to tho members Of
the Senate and House OF Representatives in the name
of the General Committee OF the Commission which
document cited the wrongs, cruetles and outrage5
inflicted on the unfortunate aboriginas. and set
forth the following among the chief causes OF the
wars which have entailed the loss OF SO many lives
and been the pretaxt upon which the people OF the
United States have been robbed Of millions Of hard
Ftst.-The dissatisfaction Of the Indians in conse-
quence OF having sometimes been betrayed into the
cession OF their lands by pretended treaties
SecOnd.-The constant failure OF the government to
fulfil in good faith it's treaty obligations with the
tribes.
and murders Of Indians by soldiers and white cti
zens.
local courts or OF Furnishing white criminals for the
reason that The testimony Of Indians Is not allowed
F'Jin.~Ihe unlawful occupation by the whites Of
lands not coded nor treated for.
Sirth.The shameful fact that OF all the appropria-
tons made BY Congress for their benefit but small
Mr.. Vincent Colyer. the Secretary OF the Commits
sion, reported that printed copies Of the memorial
had been forwarded 70 Washington and that the
manner in which they had been received by the
majority Of the Senators and members OF Congress
inspired the hope that prompt and vigorous mea-
EurcS OF reuIeSS would result
The Rev Dr: Bellows then rose, and after he had
made the gratifying announcement that the appro-
piIations recently passed by Congress had been
made In consequences OF the action taken by tho
Executive Committee OF the Commission the Presi-
' The report commenced with the sad truth that the
history OF our relations with the Indians, from the
days OF the Pilgrim Fathers to the present
time, is such as to make every American
blush for shame. A Christian nation has de-
instead Of giving them the blessings OF civilization
In return has for three centuries pursued the mer
sown tie seeds Of viii assasd reSp
the harvest OF blood. The two waves OF civilization
and unless the Indian question is settled at once on
the principles OF Christianity war viii come OF
which this generation will not see the end. People
who hear the awful tale OF savage violence know
nothing Of the countless wrongs and inhumanites
which have driven the poor red man to desperation,
and caused them 10 score their blind vengeance on
the settlers OF the border. But the fepdish cruel
ties and inhuman barbarlties perpetrated by the
'white devilsn who have brought eternal disgrace
The awful story OF the fearful crimes Of which those
who have the conduct Of our Indian affairs are
guilty must be published throughout the length and
breadth OF the land, must be told 10 our legislators
told from every pulpit until the shouts Of viruous
effort be made TO atone for the past and wipe out the
damning blot which now furnishes our national
honor. Since the war OF 1852 every indian slain has
cost the country over 100000 We nave sacrificed
ten lives Of our own people for every savage de.
siroycd and have already expended In this harvest
OF our nquity more money than oil the Christian
bodies Ia America have expended for missions since
America was discovered. Looking TO Canada, we
sec the indians and whites living In friendship; we
find prosperous missions, schools and churches
built and supported by Christian Indians, and there
2 century has passed without one drop OF blood
reapng this harvest OF death q people OF our own
race, with the same traditions, laws. virtues and
race as those within Territories; but how differ
emily they have solved the indian problem ts shown
LOYALTY and Lifelong friendship en- our side Of the
line have not passed twenty years without long
and bloody Indian war. We have not 100 miles be-
tween me Atlantic and Pacific which has not
been drcnched with blood, and to carry out our
cruel policy We have expended more than
s5oo,oooooo. The unproyoked butchery OF
women and children, by tho bloodthiraty
Colonel Chiyington y enough TO brand with lasting
punished. our community was shocked by the
action OF the British authorities in India in blowing
the Sepoy munecTs rom their guns; but their deeds
OF blood pale before the Infamous atrocities perpe
trated by the dendsh Chivington, under the 6u,ho.
rty ana Ill the name OF tilc Julteu STATES. ku-
per'e Land the English government has not
solitary soldier. The white man may travel fron
Hudson's Bay to Vancouver's Land In peace and with
ss alspiis protection as on any portion Of English
sov,,, NC nave not civilized single tribe, hnt have
extermnated many. Those VINO sell their lands
become degraded and perish. Our Indian treaties
are made ostensibly to extend civilization, but
really for the benefit OF traders 10 find land for
spectators and fresh spoil forsthelp0ckets OF p0lit
cal plunderers 80 far from wondering that 80 fow
OF our Indians become Christianlzed II Is ostonsh
ing that they ever listen 70 the Gospel from the lips
OF white man. The report contained numerous
instances Of the delty and friendship OF the Indians
towards their white friends and narrowing particu
lars concerning the barDarous treatment they have
received In return.
!. The REV. DIR. Bellows spoke at some length and
with much warmth and ooquencc, endorsing tho
sentiments embodied In Bishop Whipples report,
and stating that while travelling on the Pacific
coast he had not met ono man whose
heart was In the right place az regards In
dams. lie was certain, however, that when
the majority OF the people learned the
true state Of affairs they would compel the govern
ment to abandon the present Ubiquitous policy. IL
was the character OF the government and not that Of
the nation which Is betrayed IN the barbarous con-
duct Of Indian AFFAIRS.
The REV. Dr. Osgood moved that the thanks OF the
meeting be rendered 20 Bishop whipple, and on that
motion being carried the Rev. Mr. Washburne rose
and testified TO the accuracy Of the report.
The next speaker the venerable Bishop Kemper,
OF Wisconsin, was followed BY Mr.. Peter Cooper who
moved that . committee be appointed to consider
the proprety Of taking the necessary steps to enable
Bishop whipple to deliver an address on Indian
AFFAIRS before the House Of Representatives.
ON the adoption Of this motion the meeting ad-