The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1869-11-12
INDIAN TREATIES.
TEElR CBJECT--yHE RESULT.


SO far that policy has not worked wcl-tIiat
II lie. n fact, failure What was the OBJ
sought to be Obtained by this policy? The
Whites sought TO cngraft by it, their civil
cation upo'. the indians. 1t was thought
that by alloting to them certain regions of
country and providing them with the means
AM, implements for carrying Oh liusbandry.
they would be induced in time to give up
their nomad;c and hunting life, and natural
ly would settle down 10 fixed homes and
become civilized farmers. With character
istic American haste. the time allotted for
such change. il possible, has ever been en-
tirely too short Most of tho treaties with
the Indians have not been drawn for over
twenty or thirty years. 1t was thought that
in these few years they would learn enough
of hrGtandry to support themselves. The
expectation that sayages whose ancestors,
we know not for how long. have followed a
nomadic life, subsistng upon game and the
natural productions Of the earth could be
induced in these few years to give up all
their traditions and settle down into civil
be- realized. The white races did moi leap
into modern civilization at one bound. They
were centuries in n transition state bctw. en-
hunting and agriculture, aud ...,any certu.
RIGS have passed stree the ron,alic and
hunting. Etc was entirely abandoned.
One great reason, among many others, for
tho failure of the present policy to accom-.
plish the result desired is, tina! tho Indians
have been by it constantly brought into con-
tact with the whites, and, Ike all other bar
barous tribes, have adopted Ike vices instead
of the virtues of their superior civilization.
The growth Of .incrca las bee! 50 rapid
that the whites have lccN constantly a;
crossing upon The Indian reservations.
Notwithstanding Tie acknowledged fail
urc of our Indian po!:c;', no enc seems to be
able TO suggest substitute, an. there seems
to be no tendency on The par! Of those IL
trusted with Indian affairs, TO stop :!!c con
tinuat:on Of it. The wise heads a: wash
ington, entrusted with Indian affairs, seem
10 he troubled very much rs 10 whether
the Quakcis, with their soft "thcc" and
"thou and peaceful ways, arc 70 be so.:t 10
the agencies to c:y.l.Zc these wandering,
vicious savagcs--a rcs.l. which history
proves has rarely if ever been accomplished
with any Of the barLarcus faces without lLe
stcrncst and most unrclenting power,-or
whether they shall be made asylums where
gallant soldiers who have stalcd their lives
for the salvation Of their country, arc TO b.
banishcd. Whether there il any necessity
or excuse FOR Indian agencies, o., ii there is
for those already established, whether there
10 any for establishing new Ones seems to
Indian affairs TO them, that it is not worthy
Of any serious coHsitcra ion. The who!v
Territory was startled but the other day, TO
learn that new treaty had been entered
into between tho small remnant Of the Ela.-
head tribe and General Sully, in which it
was stipulated that al Indian reservation
was to he carved cut Of the heart OF -.lssou!a
county, and the Oldest and best settled por-
tnn of Bitter Root valley was 10 be cmbrac-
cd within IT, This viii very much cripple
the growth and prosperity of Miesoula
county, county Of permanent resources
which promises in time to become The veal
thicst portion of this Territory. VIII the
Indians he benefited r,uch By this treaty ?
We cannot see that they will. There must
I've right of way through this reservation
for those who live in the upper portion of
the valley to reach market. 1t is reported
that by this treaty. the whites who live on
the reservation now,' are to be allowed TO
remain there. If so, then some IF the oIaes'
settlers in his TERRITORY nM fad Eey are no
longer citizens Of H-no longer controlled or
protected lis lars. TIE county Of -Nisoeu'a,
uhich kas barely sufficient taxable i'rqp'"'y 70
maintain county government, as Il IS, s'i4
gone. IAe Itryitoyy l.ie,oise ,oiE be dtns!n-
Ishsl III popr.alvn and property. For an
Indian reservation niN. By he Organic act,
BE- ercyNtled out Of the Territory.
The citizens Of this Territory are oil iater'
estcd 10 prevent the confirmation OF this
treaty. We hope that every one who visits
Washington this winter from this Territory
will make it personal matter to defeat Its
confirmation; that every one who has any
influence in Washington Will exert i; to thai
end. Let rot this exploded Indian policy
be carried out 10 the extent of cutting w
one Of our most prosperous counties and
taking from US a portion OF our population.
We are DESTROYS that justice should bt
done the Indians. Eut what is justice? w
arc told that we have robbed thest
Indians of their country. If this is iheil
country. and We have no right here, we hat
better lcav. Who proposes this? We arr
told the Indians should have rist! to sclec
what part OF the country they wish. If they
were honestly given TINT right they wouif
select the whole country. and turn ii intt
hunting grounds again. l: is folly to tals
about the Indians having any choice. The!
are treated by the Government rs corqucret
tribes. We have said that the object of en-
tablishing Indian agencies was to civiliz
the barbarians. The object was good one
tho means lave failed. Why continue TIL
Same old policy when it will surely as 1t has
fail 10 accomplish the result desired. ant
result dctrimenta,ly 10 the interests Ut Moa
tann Let the Indian Commissioners TO-
this Territory answer.
THE LEGISLATURE.