The Van Buren press., 1870-02-08
The Doom of the Indian Nations,

Bv private ady1ceS, we icasH thal 'he
Commissioners of Internal Revenue, MT
Columbus Deh.no, has fully endorsed the
sction of Supervisor Mcdonald, in the
seizure Of the Tobacco Factories in the
hdian 4 Country. And further, that the
Indian Country west of and contiguous to
this State is TO be divided into Collection
Districts Wedo not deem the action OF
the Commissioner Of any other or great
or Importance than the decision OF Me
Dunall or any osher man, viewing 1t
merely in the light OF the law Mr. De-
lano's subordinates are, OF course, bound
by his Interpretation of the law, until
reversed by himself or by higher authori-
tv. AS rule for their guidance his
views are important; in determining the
legality, or illegality OF his rulings his
opinion has not feathers weight with
the Judiciary of the government The
question OF the legality of these seizures
is not affected in the least. by his endorse.
mcnt Of the action Of Mcdonald, but 1t
has Significance of far greater moment
10 the Iadian Nations We cannot de-
ce;vel ourselves into the belief that he
would thus override the plain sense OF
the l07 section Of the revenue law gov.
erning the manufacture of spirits and to-
bacco, to say nothing Of the 10th article
Of the Cherokee treaty of 1866. if public
opinion at Washington was not fully IN
his favor. There has for sometime, more
especially since the war, been growing
feeling on the part of our government TO
absorb all territory on the North Aineri-
can Continent. The Indian Country
west Of Arkansas, is the finest asricul-
tural country on the continent, and we
have been gazing with longing eyes, up
on it. The Jurisdiction of our Courts,
over the Indian Country, has been gradu-
ully enlarging, until now, we have come
to think we have RIGHT, aside from any
treaty stipulation, to exercise judicial au-
thority over them.
Wo claim this, because Congress is in.
vested, by the constitution with "plena-
nv power to legislate for the Terrific
ries y of the United States. The FEEDER
nj government, aided by carpet bag con
stitution makers, like a maelstroum, is
RAPIDLY sucking into itself all the powers
of the States, can we reasonably hope
that the Indians can long maintain a sep
arate government Action is contcm
plated, even now, in Congress TO wanton
kyiolate solemn treaties and reduce Tho
Indian Nations to territorial condition
Can any one, familiar with our poitica
history for the past ten years doubt s Tor .
men in the Indian Nations, must have
long since been convinced, that this stat,
Of things was rapidly approaching
They have professcd to entertain fears
that the "full bloodso would murdel
any ono who took the advanced grounc
Of the advocacy of application to th'
general government FOR admission to ter
ritorial rights. By taking the initiatory
they would, doubtless, have been left Tho
chance of the best lands, and have receiv
ed patents for them, thus secureing al
Inheritance for their children. AS it is
.the change will come suddenly and nm
cxpectcdly, upon the ignorant class o
Indians, and the consequences cannot b'
foretold. II conflict of arms is th'
result, total annhilation awaits the In
dians, and the sun Of their civilization
now shining so brightly will sink to it
setting in blood. Submission and event
ual citizenship, is absorption--opposi
ton, is immediate anuihlation cithcl
course leads to the final destruction o
the Indian. We fear the feeling is al
ready ripe at Washington, else Delanc
would not so rashly trample upon the law
and the decisions Of the Federal Supreme
Court. Whether Grant or the Lcgisla
tive Department will sustain the view ta
ken by Dclano. remains to be seen. W.
confidently predict they will.
The hdbeos corpus question, taken NJ
by Boudinot is, perhaps, already heard
by Justice Miller, in, chambers, and his
decision will fix the course to be taken
by the Supreme Court If the writ is de
MED, the farce is ended-and we may nc
longer be spectators of the childs play Of
granting that there is sufficient sover
eighty IN nation to make treaties, and
not sufficient to control their internal af
fairs. And we may soon expect to heal
that The great government Of the Unitet
States, docs not hesitate to violate trca
ties, with powers too weak to help them
selves. That the Guardian can rob hi'
ward by solemn "act of Congress.
ne rT- Captain JonS G. CONNER, membe
elect to Congress from Texas, spent ;
day or two In our city last week on hi
way to Washington. Capt. Conner lief