The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-04-13
The Quaker Indian Commission.

ans and the Friends who settled upon
the lands granted to William Penn has
had decided influence on the PROPOSE
ton to employ the Quakers in negotia
ting with the tribes of the Plains; and
it is not to be doubted that they will en-
deavor to see justice done to the abo-
rigines, and assure the fulfiilment OF all
pledges and stipulations with them.
But it is doubtful whether they can
establish and maintain policy that will
result in permanent peace. II must be
remembered that Penn concluded his
famous treaties with tribes which were
upon their own grounds, and which had
not felt the oppression, Or had cause to
complain of a race superior in numbers
and power to themselves. They had DO
injuries TO avenge and no enemies
among the whites to punish. They were
in the most favorable mood for AMIGA
BILE relations, and it they were cheated
in their bargains with the shrewd head
of the colony, they were ignorant alike
of the value Of the articles exchanged.
The Quaker Commission, if such
commission be appointed, will meet in
council a savage people whose condition
is wholly differeut from that of Penn's
friendly Indians. There is not tribe
in the Far West which is OF conscious
of the contraction Of the circle in which
they move; not one of them which has
not been forced, just Or upjustly. to give
up some portion of its favorite hunting
grounds, while many of them have been
driven completely off the lands to which
they laid claim in the name Of their faith
ers. Moreover, they have engaged in
war with the encroaching whites at one
time Or another, and though, in the long
run, they have been defeated, they have
not been subjugated, or brought to
sense of inferiorlty SO hopeless that they
have given up all hope OF successfully
maintaining their rights.
They have, too, keener knowledge
of the value of things than their ances
tors had. They will not barter lands
for beads, at the rate Of an acre for i. bit
Of glass. They insist upon full pay
ment, with much bounty besides-are
as eager for .'backsheesh'' as Bedouin
of the Upper Nile They want provis-
ions, raiment, horses, saddles, powder,
lead, and improved fire arms, as consid
erations for the conclusion of treaties,
either commercial or POLITICAL; and even
If they consent to go upon reserva-
tions, AS it is now inevitable they must
do or be annihilated, they will give a
very liberal construction to the question
of boundaries. and be continually in
volved in broils, if not open warfare.
1t is not to be forgotten either that the
Indians, with whom Penn managed to
live upon good terms, showed the fate
ished at the touch of civilization. To
be sure. it may be said that all this hap
peued after Penu's day, and when the
treaties made with him had lost their
that this change of policy grew out Of
the n cessity for more lands for the
growing Colonies. And lands are now,
as hen, at the bottom of all our Indian
We should have peace with
the w estern Indians were there no en-
croachments upon their hitherto almost
boundless ranges. Tie chiefs of these
tribes told the Peace Commissioners
over and over, that all they asked OF
their Great Father at Washington was
that he should withdraw his soldiers,
the squatters to vacate. and
leave them to the enjoyment oc their
own; and it was this very thing which |
the Commissioners could not promise
They could agree to idemnify them in
annuities, gifts, clothing, pro-
visions. arms, &c, but they could not
agree to protect the sacred rights OF the
Indians to all the lands which they
g aimed as their cwn, and insisted upon
enjoying undisturbed. Therein lay the
failure of the Commission to accomplish
It's great purpose
1t is possible that the severe expert
ence of the war which General Custer
links is about concluded, will incline
the Indians to accept less liberal terms
han they demanded of the Peace Com
mission, and that they will conclude 20
accept reservations and go upon them
\ ithout further resistance. In such case
t is possible for the Quaker Commission
20 accomplish something for future
,eace in that quarter, by dealing so fair
y and justly by the Indians as to in
Ipire confidence and make them feel that
heir interests are safe in the hands OF
men who make peace, at all hazards, a
cardinal rule of life.
But if the Indians are not disposed to
'elinquish their larger claims, or to sub
nit TO actual lines and boundaries, the
Quaker Commissioners, however honor
.bly minded TO do justice, will no more
in establishing lasting peace