New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-02-23

tribes lvine IN the lower Mississippi basin. Washing
ton, In a spirit OF philanthropy, and with the high
Of honor that inspired him, wished to maintain
Them with their governments, In their ancient homes
They renquished part OF their territory and received
solemn guarantees for the security Of the remainder II
happened, however, that, TO induce Georgia aud other
states to enter the Federal Union, promises had to be
given them that the United States would extngush the
Indian title It could be done In good faith
or course both promises could not be kept and as apt
TO be the case the promise the weaker went TO the
wall
The remedial policy inaugurated under the adj
mnisraton OF Mr.. Jefferson. II 90 all the
tribes from the States where they and give them
title from the United States to their homes instead
OF their Indian titles and to give them the solemn
guarantees government could give that they should
have their own government and that changes should
be made in their condition without their consent
Was this policy wrongi II 80, II has run through more
than hail the history Of the Republic. Have these
people improved in their condition fast as we had
reason to expecti Perhaps not. When the war broke
out, they had finer houses greater farms than
TO he found east Of the Mississippi but then these
Improvements had become general with the lower
classes Of their people Other barred more rapid
progress The country they occupy is subject to greater
drouhs than the country north OF them every third or
fourth year they miss crop. They had been thrown III
the vicinity OF game and wilder Indians These we're not
ccizug influences. Above all. there an uncertainty
Missionary effort was neither general nor thorough
s With ali these drawbacks there is not at the pre-
ent tine any portion Of tho Choctaws, CAlcKasaWs'
Cherokeea, Creeks, seminoes living by hunting
Most OF the poorer aud lower classes OF these lndas
but small farmers cutyatng ABOUT zen acres con'
like the poorer classes OF Tennessee, North Carnih'
toes had before the war. become great stockIaslng
people; lie was poor Indian VINO had hot 40 o. nS S
During the war Government officials and people in Kan
sas and Texas drove nearly 100000 head Of cattle from
head shipped from these nations annually To tue
markets OF the Southwest and the very states that
robbed them, tlunt them to-day with the emptiness Of
the pastures II had taken ihcm 30 years TO be able 10
send out ~ much beef annually as poth Nebraska ana
Kansas. In few years they viii do 10 again.
But they preparing for absorption into the bosom
OF The American people, they are go%y, Dnt nor so
pie The English colonsts made them So They would
not nicrmalry with them as the French or spaniaras
How long Is it since the French settlements at has-
erty ia common in the "big field where speculation IN
real estate unknown and where these simple Aca-
dams ate, and drank and danced, and dedi We are
rushing fast ourselves that forget those who are
treJdug In the steps directed ny grandfathers our
pride has made the Indians distinct people, let us not
alarm to TIE Christian phanthrops ana set actVty 10
let Us lie careful however not 10 assume that they arc
what We would wish them. And this brings pS
Jnls against which the Indians protest Certain
railroad companies secured; dnrins the eonia,
Of bills agreeing that when the Indian title was ex
tiuguIshed they should have certain land grants 10
par of the coveted lands really held by Indian title
The United states already conveyed them by patent IN
Zee sinpe for a consideration There II chronic covet-
business which leads many minds TO regard any lana
he'd rs Indians land that can be seized All or these
bills contemplate allowing these Indians 10 select part
OF their lands and then open the rest OF the cOun-
ny white settlement. II Will be observed that the
moment this Is done these corporations Will step In ana
claim some 100000 OF course these corpora
tons afford 10 and mine nj the doors OF Con-
gress They should not however, be allowed 10 dictate
a change IN the Indian policy OF the Government, a
change j. 10 be made.
OF tie absorption OF the Indians is thing most
desirable To accomplish that end far more efficient
eyertons should be made. No government them Is
likely to much good which does not meet with ther
acceptance. Meanwhile are removing tribe a,ttE
tribe hither from Texas Kansas, New-MeXlco ana Ne
braska, because those that We remove are heltnI pr
pared for nor able compete with border NlIdtioh
j. our whole Indian policy farce Is II hypOcrlucdi
prctense 10 enlist the symplhes Of Christian men ah1
women while we deliberately contemplate more bdd
FAINT BET Indian policy be shaped 10 prepare Tue
Indians for civilization rather than IL thrust them III IT,
washington, Feb. -, 1872