Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-08-07
THE RUTLAND HERALD.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 1873.
THE INDIAN QUESTION.

Among the many problems of difficult
solution that present themselves 10 our
government for consideration IS the
most important one of what shall be
done with the Indians?
This Indian question has occupied an
important place in our national polity,
ever since our forefathers landed at
Plymouth Rock; and, seemingly, it is
still as perplexing as it was hundred
years ago. Successive administrations
have grappled to no purpose with this
question scores of wise and renowned
statesmen have passed various and null
titudinous views upon it; again and again
our senators and representatives in Con-
gress assembled, have legistated and adj
vised upon this problem. And yet, to-
day, the question presents itself to us IN
as perplexing form as ever. 1t is time
that some decided action should be taken
in regard to tine Indians. Either every
consideration of right by prepossession
should be cast aside and the mere con-
sideration of the public welfare and in
terests be accepted, and stringent and
prompt measures be taken to the imme-
date subsection of the Indians, or else
they should be treated more leniently
and allowed freer scope to roam where
they please.
This 'half and half" policy of punish
ment after the wrong is committed
and slight punishment at that-and free
privilege to commit the same INSIDE
meanor again, is most fallacious pol
icy. The indignant, emphatic cries of
the bold western pioneers, who are de-
veloping our Western States, and our
own public interests, demand that the
Indian question shall be made more
important one in our national councils.
The East, by actual experience, knows
nothing at all about the Indians. Even
to-day, there will frequently be found
intelligent, cultivated men who still des-
ignate the,Indian as ''the noble red man, "
and throw about him that halo of ro-
mantle grandeur, which the old time
novels represent as naturally belonging
to the Indian. Fortunate is it for the
belief of such men as these that their
lot has been cast at distance from the
Indian country. One days sojourn in
the neighborhood of some friendly tribe
of Indians, on the plains would dissipate
all such grand ideas of the Indian and
his character, as those borne by the lat
ter class of gentlemen.
There is another class who suppose
that the Indian is by nature perfectly
moral and incapable of committing
wrong, except as taught by white men.
There is another class who advocate ex-
termination, and still another, who be-
ing far removed from the seat of trouble,
calmly sit down and say, ''let this ques-
ton take care of ITSELF There is anoth-
er class who acknowledge that the In
dian has been wronged, but who, at the
same time, acknowledge that the adj
vancement of civilization on this CONT
nent should overbalance all extreme ideas
of wrong towards the red men, and that
the Indians should be forcibly, and as
far as possible, humanely dealt with.
No one will deny but that the Indians
are frequently and continually abused,
defrauded and cheated, especially by the
agents of the government, in the distri-
button of their supplies, rations, etc,
but it is also well known that the red
men will lie, steal, murder and commit
the most frightful depredations, provided
they can commit the same undiscovered
by the government. Nothing but fear
of the government restraints them from
grosser and more open Outrages than
they are continually committing. Yet
they seem to be rapidly overcoming all
fear of the government, judging from the
many thieving exploits they have perpe-
trated upon the settlers throughout the
West thus far this spring.
IT'S true, there are military posts scat
tered throughout the west but such
posts are generally source of consider
able amusement to the frontiersmen and
settlers as far as recovering stolen stock
is concerned, inasmuch as the dilatory,
unwilling, lettering and of short dura-
ton. movements of the military avail
nothing in the pursuit of band of saw
ages. '....
Moreover, in case of conflict and de-
struction of band, the condemnation of
the government and east is feared by the
officers as witness the cutlery against
Sheridan and Custer when they admins
tered so signal and effective punish
ment to several marauding bands few
years ago, in which they slaughtered
men and women, and of necessity, as
the squaws will fight as fiercely as their
lords and masters. ...
In our opinion, a vigorous policy
should be advocated regarding the In
dams. Remove them at once to some
fixed place and there make them stay,
instead of continually changing their
reservations and furnishing them there
by new cause for irritation. a..
1t is a shame that three hundred thou
sand savages should be such an expen-
sive and dangerous source of annoyance
to our government, as they now are.
Place them on fixed reservation and
give them to understand that it is at the
peril of their lives that they remove
therefrom, or commit depredations.
Punish them severely and most rigorous
ly when they transgress their privileges.
Fear of punishment is all that will keep
them III bounds. Therefore, let no false
ideas of the savage nature maintained
by those in the east-who know about as
much of the Indians as they do about
the inhabitants of the moon-prevent a
stringent, dictatorial and, as far as pos
sible, humane policy towards the REQ
man and his characteristics
CHEERFUL.-It is with pleasure we
record the fact that our public debt, may