Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1870-06-17
Our Barbarian Brethren.

SuI 4Jcil OtLl lUI4 LII SUh1 SA1e
Harpers Magazine for May, contains
long and ably written article under this
head. 1t points to number of incidents
and transactions wherein the civilized man
has acted more barbarous and cruel than
the barbarian. 1t points to the treatment
these barbarians received at the hands of
the civilized man Cortez. 1t relates incl
dents of almost unheard of cruelty prac
ticed by the civilized French and English,
in return for tie friendship and hospitality
of the barbarians, and concludes that we
have ourselves and our civilized ancestors
in great measure to thank for the pres
ent treachery and warlike spirit Of the bar
barians. 1t condemns in strong language
the policy of government. in the past to-
wards the Indians, and is of the opinion
that good results can be accomplished BY
adopting another course. We quote:
For years Christian philanthropists
and enlightened statesmen have been earn,
estly considering the question, What
shall be done with our Barbarian Brethern?
Until lately the question seemed knot
too hard to DO united by any practical
answer. War, plumber of the national
government, expenditure of life and treas
ure, aud decentralization, were almost con-
stantly seen and deplored, but the old
policy was persisted in. At length the
distressing hostilities with the Indians
that had been going on since the close Of
the civil war caused Congress first to APP
point commission to inquire into the
condition Of the Indian tribes, and then
peace commission for their pacifcation.
These reported, and the facts they revealed
aroused the whole country to sense Of
the necessity for change of policy toward
the Indians. A Senator from Kansas re-
ported bill in Congress, early in 1869, to
"crea.e Department OF Indian Affairs,
and to provide for the consolidation, civ
lizltion, and government of the Indian
tribes" The religions brethren Of W iiam
Penn-the Society of friends, or Quakers
Of our country numbering many thous.
ands who had long considered the ''lndian
Question" in the light of justice and hu-
manity, now spoke out. In a memorial to
Congress of representatives of Seven Year
ly Meetings, who assembled in Baltimore
early in 1869, they asked that body to try
kindness instead of gunpowder in dealing
with hostile Indians. They believed Gen
cral Harvey was right when he said, 1T
is easier to conquer the Indians by kind
ness and justice than by all the forces of
unscrupuloas war" They said: "Let
the effort be made in good faith to promote
their education, their industry, their NOR
ality. Invite the assistance of the philan-
thropic and Christian effort which has
been so valuable an aid in the elevation of
the freedmen and render it possible for
justice and good example to restore that
confidence which has been lost by injustice
and CRUELTY"
Congress took action in accordance with
these suggestions; and President Grant
said, in his Inaugural Address The
proper treatment of the original occupants
of this land the Indians-s one deserv-
ing careful study. I will favor any
course toward them which tends to their
civilization, Chr,stianization, and ultimate
citizenship" He did not stop here. He
appointed the legal representative of the
remnant Of the Seneca nation, who bears
the official medal of Red Jacket, to be
Chief of the Bureau of Indian Affairs at
Washington, and nominated eighteen
members of the Society of Friends as
agents to so among the Indians and try
the affects of honest dealing and kind
actions. mo higher compliment was ever
PAID by government to reglous sect,
said leading news paper at that time 1t
may with equal forceabe said that no gov
eminent ever more honored itself These
peaceful agents are NOW in the field of ben
eficent labor.
This is all well but it falls far short of
perfect remedy for the evils we deplore,
and would cure. 1t leaves complicated
and injurious machinery in operation, and
only makes change in the operators.
We must sweep away all the machinery.
1t has been long tried, and found to be
worse than useless-positively mischie.
vous. We must 60 back of the acts Of
the founders of the republic, and adopt a
new policy. Let US profit by the expert
ence Of the British government in its rrla-
IONS to the Scotch Highianders. They
were treated as clans or tribes bearing
allegiance to chiefs, aud with chiefs alone
the government held intercourse. Raids
rebelions, wars, were the consequence.
After the great rebellion in lT45 the gov
eminent changed it's policy. It made
roads through the Highlands, broke IN
the tribal relations, aud reouired each
man, as a citizen of Great Britain. to obey
i,s laws and perform duties as such and