New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-05

be given them by the Peace Commissioners,
for lands taken, owing to the building OF the
Pacific Railroad One of the points on which
the House stickles is a denial OF all treaties.
Whether the treaty system was originally the
wsest or not it is certain that 1t Is not the
time to call them i'll question when we nave
taken and used our share of the bargain. On
the verge of a supposed war, the House SUCK
les on question of Senate prerogative' from
the earliest moment of the Government 'his
has been its traditional policy. We believe
that the Senate erred in several particulars by
disposing of lands in the treaty by which they
were acquired from the Indians, but treaty
REQUIRES two-third vote of the Senate, and
the full responsibility Of the Executive branch.
If it was a question as to an eXtravagant or
improper appropriation we could 1uily respect
it, Ii is their duty to scrutinlze these, ana III
no branch of Government service more IMAM
this but we can assure them that they are III
this case, by sticking to break down one Oh
the Constitutional privileges OF the Senate
assuming responsibility for which the coun-
try will hold them strictly accountable
Last year, while this war with the Senate
was going on, two millions were appropriated
to be used at the discretion of the President,
rather than appropriate sums specifically to carry
ont our bargains with these Plans Indians
We have the utmost confidence IN Gresluent
Grant. but we are sure he wants no such
responsibility. 1t is impossible he can give II
his personal attention. 1t merely throws
large sum among subOrdinates to be USED
without the determinations or restrictions OF
law. If they think this is a proper way to
deal with the public treasury, we can assure
them the public think otherwise.
Had the House planned and given to the
country broad and humane Indian system,
they might have some apology for their hos
tility to the old one. This they have not even
attempted. In point of fact, we doubt If five
men in the House have ever given the subject
serious attention.
There are many men who would at once
seize possession of the Indian country, render
hunting and the old means of subsistence I'M
possible, refuse to recognize any right i'll the
Indians of the country they have occupied,
and at once subject them to the competition
and prejudice of a Western population, with
ont any of the preparation that alone can fit
them for it. Driven to despair by this course,
war compared with which all that would be
expended in taking care of and educating
them will be as a drop in the bucket. The
Plains are still vast, the mountain ranges
wild; they are Injured to prfvatiOn and the
conditions Of war. When settlers shall be
scalped and commerce hindered, let us re-
proach our own stupidity and inhuinanity,
rather than their barbarity. We might have
done better, but preferred to do worse.
We are reluctant to believe that Red Cloud
has gone back meaning war; but, while we
approve of the spirit in which he was received,
we regret that diplomacy could not accomplish
more. Why cannot Indians OF Red CLOUDS
character and influence be employed by the
United States in that country The Russians
wasted their resources fighting the COssacks
until they learned to employ every man OF
brains among them in the work of making
the rest useful Do we absolutely hate the
Indians too badly to do this
Red Cloud, we are sure, was Inexperienced
about Fort Fetterman. No Government fort,
with troops and camp followers, should be
permitted within twenty miles of the homes OF
the Indians. Red Cloud well knew that his
people were debauched and demoralized. The
troops could accomplish just as much good if
they were kept scrupulously apart from them.
No man at all familiar with the subject, who
is an honorable man, will say anything else. In
this. we think the true view, his prayer for
the removal of Fort Fetterman had a fearful
significance. He came to seek peace. Why
else should he comet If we have failed TO
secure if, we have ourselves TO thank for it.