The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-01-17

dams, appears to be whether Gen. Sheridan or
Father De Smet shall deal with them; whether
they shall be delivered over to destruction or
! saved to civilization. s
The United States can apparently do as it
chooses in this matter. 1t holds in it's hand
| the destiny of these people for life or death.
Are they men and brothersf -
| Is there such thing known in the brilliant
civilization of the great nineteenth century as
pityf Think of the broad lands and mighty
rivers which once knew only the red man as
master, and of the miserable remnant of that
race that still as CALAMITY lifts the tomahawk
against our irresistible millions as when the
continent was theirs. Can they not be spared
Is there such thing as national shamef A
few powerless tribes are goaded to madness by
wrong, and the only way to deal with them
which mighty nation can imagine, is war.
| Truly this is magnanimous! If the United
States fails in the doubtful struggle, the world
can at least sympathise with the heroism with
which it dared such Odds
| How is it that the Spaniards could, and did,
preserve their conquered races-the Spaniards,
at whose national cruelty we Anglo-Saxons are
additionally taught to shudders Even the
French, whom we are equally bound to regard
as frivolous and heartless, have recoiled from
the idea of determination, and recognized the
Indians as fellow men. Has the great Protest
ant Republic no missionary hand of comfort
and forbearance to stretch westwardly, and
save the remnant which it can no longer fear :
Well, suppose it has not; why not give the
| contract to those who will cost it nothing, and
guarantee satisfactory success Why cumber
| the Western plains with all the cruel and ex-
pensive machinery of war, when one priest,
| properly sustained, can maintain much more
| effectual tranquility If the Government will
| withdraw its armies, give Father De Smet an
open field among the Indians with his mission
aries, and protect him and his people from the
lawlessness of frontiersmen, there will not be
q more peaceful community under the broad
shadow of the American flag than these same
Indians who are now costing us so much in
money and reputation.
Our readers will have seen in our columns
recently, taken from the New York Tribune,
most Interesting account of o conversation
with Rev. Father De Smet on this topic. He
was then about embarking for Europe, to bring
over body of religious men and women to
labor among the Indians west of the Rocky
Mountains also some mechanics to instruct
them in various trades.
3. His account of the condition of those tribes
is most touching and gratifying He says that
the Flatheads, Snakes, Nezperces, Spokanes,
aud others throughout Oregon and Washing
ton, have become Christians, and adopted civil
lied life. They have formed permanent settle
ments, and betaken themselves to agriculture
and other peaceful avocations.
AS regards the tribes this side of the
mountains and among whom She present
like excitement exists, Father De Smet feels
great anxiety. Though unwilling to find fault,
he attributes the troubles to the whites. The In
dams have been robbed of three-fourths of the
stipend furnished by Government, until within
a year. They have been imposed upon by traders
and adventurous. They have been wantoniy
subjected to murder and treachery. Though
a people very sensitive as to the resentment to
be shown by surviving relatives !. case of muir
der, yet as one instance Major Chivington had
600 Indians butchered at one time, and while
under his protection, nearly all of them being
women and children. Who has not wept over
Logan's speech referring to similar wrongsf
As to the general character of the race in it's
capacity for peaceful and loyal relations we
cannot do better than quote few of Father De
Smet's own statements:
In his journeyings among the various Sioux
tribes, Brules, Blackfeet, Crows, Uckasses, and
| other tribes, many of whom are at present CIV
ing evidence of hostile feeling, Father De
Smet was everywhere received with kindness.
About year ago he visited hostile bands of the
Sioux to the number of 5000, at the request of
| the United States officers, and was everywhere
well received, and listened to with patient at
| tention. During the whole of twenty-five
years residence among them, he never was adj
dressed with an angry word. The Indian boys
were, he said, the best-behaved boys he had
ever seen, and the adults were 80 eager for in
Structi0h that thew Y0fffd listen to the teach
ings of the missionary from dawn until dark.
He had no doubt but they will become use-
full portion of the American people. if the Gov
| ernmeht exerts itself in their behalf, and puts
aside the destroying sword. All Scan be easily
taught to cultivate the soil and practice the
arts of civilized life.