New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-04-02
THE INDIANS.

PLACING THE INDIANS on RESERVATIONS AND
KEEPING THEM THERE WITH THE HELP oF
THE ARMY-A LETTER FROM COY. HARVEY.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune
SIR: In your paper of the 10th inst IS an
editorial article which, making auson to a proposed
conference between the House Committee on Indian
Affairs and the President and Secretary OF the INTERIOR
saws: 1t nmated that the Committee fayors break
ing up the treaty system putting the Indians on reserV
tons and keeping them there II need be, with thehep OF
the army" OF this you say 1--WE do not like the last
idea at all" and add some observations which may do
great harm by misleading those who have vague ideas OF
the question which is prominently before the
public.
tits not proposed desired that civilized and peaceabe
tribes like the CherOkoes and many others who have long
since learned to earn their bread by peaceful pursuits
should be removed with the help Of the army or other
wise but experience is fast teaching the American peo
pie that the predatory hOrdes Of savages who have been
for years roaming Will through the center OF the ter
ritory Of the United States, wacing relentless war
against its citizens and perpetratng the horrible atroe
ties so graphically and ruthfuy described by Cen sher
idan, must be constrained by some means 10 follow
different e-to change OF pursuit, If not change OF
heart This consrant only be effected by the exer
else OF superior force. The savage utterly devoid OF
moral principle will recognize other influence until
the force made visible and palpable TO his comprehen
SION then he may be made susceptible to moral nhu
ences and the carbne lance and scalpng kifehaving
been taken and kept out OF his hands-nay be replaced
nv the ploy and hoe or herders whip And after many
years Of self sacrificing labor by good men, we may hope
70 ace SOME OF the descendants OF these Indians peryaded
by that deep religious feeling which has as yet been
perceptble to 10 but Vincent Colye when he took
what You aptly called "a rose-colored view" of the
Indians last Summer. Even the good Friends who are
agents for these rowing bands of armed admit
that they do nothing with them until they arc placed
upon their reservations and kept there, unarned ana
under control within the walls OF penitentlsry'
They only object using the army for the walls To re-
strain the savages because such use would be hcopal
BILE with the tenets Of peculiar religious faith
But your Journal though hampered by no such religious
faith and admitting the necessity OF placing the sayages
upon reservations does not like at all the idea OF nav
Ing them kept there by the help OF the army La the
name OF humanity, would ask you what better use
could make OF our army than to employ 1t In project
ing the lives of fellowcitzens and in restraining ana
protecting the savage while he is receiving the tuelage
necessary 10 make him citzeni You say settles VIII
be aggressive" II that wero admitted, you must own
that the troops mat restrain the savage WITHIN MS
proper limits could and would protect him there from
by SETTLERS" others. As much has been
said In various journals concerning "settlers" and
by them II may not be amiss TO state that
these setters are generally citizens Of the United States,
OF at least average intelligence and robity who have
left their former the Eastern States or IN Europe
with the sudAOe desire and p%pGse 70 nes and
Il
tories doing this they only ask that protection wen
n accorded to their fellowcitizens elsewhere II u De
urged that afford such protection wond Involve inc
government IN expense, reply, that had any foreign
| nation perpetrated within our national boundaries
1.-THE OF the ourages OF which these savages nave been
guilty a fearful reckoning would have been maze no
consideration TO expense would have prevented sM
of magnitude and duration sufficient to attain secury
for the and indemnity for the past Inc people
OF the West ask for security for the future and tat
Wv winch while IL would involve tho least possible
expense would afford protection both to tho citizen ana
The savage, and lead 10 the CIVILIZATION ChrisuahLaon
| dul M fe 81
In Conclusion 1 will ask you and your readers to De.
leye that lines inspired by no thirst Tor blood
-, creed of gain but by earnest desire that the lnal
guraton OF an Indian policy based upon common sense
"a ,rue humanity may encounter the antag0nsm o.!
n great iourns which has, by persistent advocacy OF
good principles acquired an Influence wnlcn may ".
serv detental 10 public good II eIerted IN Dchhii
~ erroneous or falacous views The question IL III eoou
hands The President has great knowledge OF Tue motives
Which Influence men, whether CIVILIZED OF savage W.
t,,enton 10 do Justice Ia all parties cannot be donpe
NE snme may said Of the Secretary OF me !hteif'
and ,hr House Committee Is largely composer o Rouo
men who have competent knowledge 81 tue SITUATION,
"a the ursctca common sense Ia insist upon Iatonh
snI,inn o The problen Let III hope tha hey may sue
| coed. that JuE TRIBUNE may comnehh ther P"''y
uhc viii make savage Inassacftb ol pioneer
ad thcr families of such iniTelucht occurrence 'hat w
tcrs f .ucI outrages viii arouse rs great hnlsnh'o
~. yen welIdeserved punishment u hniclrd np"h In"r
| Icons hands of outlawcd nends. JAMES NJ iiAHti'
I,er,ir, UepdrfBenL Topeka Kansas, March 10, 1871