New-York tribune., 1870-05-30
RED CLOUDS MISSION.

II is with great satisfaction the country has
learned that there is prospect of avoiding
the threatened extensive Indian war. The
main ground of hope is that several of the
great chiefs and head warriors of the wild
tribes of the West have voluntarily visited
Washington, to enter into negotiations for the
settlement of all troubles and the mainten-
ance of peaceful relations. BY assuming this
position, they not only give us an opportunity
for coming to terms, but they command our
respect, and compel us to deal with them
Justly, fairly, magnanmOusly. 1t Is well for
the country that the persons who will conduct
negotiations on our side are fair-mnded and
peacefully inclined men-civil and military
officers like Grant, Sherman and Parker, who
are well acquainted with Indian affairs, as
well as with Indian character and ways. We
want no sharp diplomacy in this business; but
we earnestly desire to see the matters at issue
dealt with in a straightforward manner.
The tribes represented by the chiefs now in
Washington have two grounds OF grievance,
for which they were lately preparing to 90 to
war. but which they are now ready to settle
peacefully. % They complain that the whites
have encroached on the territory but recently
guaranteed to the exclusive occupation OF the
tribes, and threaten to take possession of it
altogether. (2) They complain that the supplies
due TO them, or promised i'll the name of our
Government, have not been furnished, and
that our authorities have in several ways viO-
lated the terms of the agreement entered into
last Summer. Therefore they demand, Q) that
the encrOachments of the whites, especially i'll
the Territories of Wyoming and Idaho, be
prevented, and that such hostile enterprises as
the big Horn expedition into the Powder
River region be stopped (2) that Government
carry out the agreement made on its behalf to
furnish the supplies rendered necessary on ac
count of the destruction of the game by the
whites,-the last mentioned demand having
been sharply expressed in the imperative
"Fced or Fight of one OF the chiefs now i'll
Washington.
Il is not worth our while, in the present
state of affairs to add anything TO the dis
cussion of these special points. We feel quite
sure that they can be settled cquitablv and
ncoccably. But we will indicate one or two
general considerations which should not be
overlo okcd in the treatment of such differ
euces as may arise from time to time between
tbe white and red races on the Plains.
]. The American peope-hlhete'h-V" -V"'"oio'hS
of tbem-are altogether opposed TO the con
tiuuation of the lawlcss war of determination
, against The Western Indians. Ii is inluman,
uncblistan cruel, and criminal. 1t should at
once be stopped, never to be resumed. We
hold that its continued prosecution is not
necessary to the progress of Western settle
meut nor to the advance of civilization. We
believe that it is as injurious to the interests
Of the white settlers as it is destructive OF the
existence of the aboriginal population.
H. The American people are in like manner
onnosed to the Governments carrying on per
netuoI war with the Indian tribes. The greater
mart of the military force of the country is
now in the Trans Mississippi region, and II IL
always engaged i'll Indian bostillties to a
greater OIL less extent LII one place OF