Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1873-01-31
TEE M0D0C VA-..

The nYssert state of Indian affairs In Ore
ron is indeed alarming. and especially 20 %
orr own citizens who are by 10 Iaesns Sc
cure nom similar bartarities at the hands %
savage tends. The cid cause Of difficulty,
the .Reseryatiois question" is the c'.icf rea-
SON for the present va In Oregon, win
whose people in their danger and destrac-
ton, we nest truly sympat'iiac, re5erva-
ton vas fas we understand ~ SET apart
Tor these Indians, to wiiic., they ref.sea to
70, and, ag usual, threatened the lives CT enc
settlers, should the soldiers attempt to sofca
them there. The troops haying been called
out to enforce the occupation OF tae Fese1-
walton, light Satt,e ensned, = E.iica ina
Indians were routed. This became the ssx-
NIL for the iidiscriniinate Saausnter q tss
white SCI tiers Murders, as atrocicus rs any
that ere Known to the history OF frontier
lifc,were then committed, and the bloody
scenes of Minnesota happily, IS set ca
smaller scaie-are being re-en.cted ID distant
Oregoi. The troops have eaccsnterea ne
a blood thirsty .yretches, and il one s.sta zee
have been rep,iised, havIag to light while
the Indians were hidden behind rcc..s, aid
4 sheltered in creyices, where key eonld net
be seen. Once only did they venture ont
In open GROUND. when the troops charge
upon them, driving them back 10 fsef hid
ing places alter some loss Since then ether
battles have been fought, in s7R.ch .nany
soldiers have fallen; anG in 'sile !atest .ele-
grams we learn that Cst. Perry, while roll
ing down hill, on the top Of which he was
surrounded by the Indians, xss shot and
killed. The danger is enhanced By the re-
firing OF the Volunteers, aud Gov. Booth of
California is censured by Captain Fairehil..,
for net having rendered aia syhen iirst
called upon todo 50. Tlie Traditional idea
sf the Iadians ne TO their 0wrershil OF the
ground, SO largely shared in BY many Of
their humanitarian friends, is ore out OF
which the greater pare OF :lcce troubles
arise and are likely to continue unless sonae
better lesson Though less indalsant) be not
taught the mercilcss brutea. Il has Eean de-
cided by high judicial authority, that Tie In
dams have no title to the public domain,
that the recognition by Tho Government, Of
the so-cale6 Indian title, ard its necessary
extinction, constitute policy only an6 not
the acknowledgement OF right in them. 1
That such policy Is humane and would le.-
ter secure safety to settlers, is the theory on
which it is founded. Petitions are now
being circulated in Oregon and California
for signatures, praying Congress to set
apart as a reservation, all that country on
the Pitt River claimed by these Indians as
their ground, which, If done, woald assuage |
for the present, the evil threatened that pco-
pie. But that, we consider, is a matter that |
should have been looked to at an earlier day. |
II the Indians have decided to murder the
citizens Of that state for what the Govern
ment has seen proper to do with them, as
with ali other good Indians, then ought the
Government to teach these devils that 1t, and
not they, must DE obcyed and respected; anu
whatever consideration might properly be
given to their claim, If made in time OF
friendly relations with the whites, none
whatever should be entertained when, with
out even pretended prevccation, they cfny
devastation and murdersto their doors, anu
assail u. 8. TROOPS for carrying orders into
execution. The vengeance inflicted By the
Indians on the families and people there.
eughtto be cocnterparted By just and te.-,
rible punishment, rot only fer their atrocl-
tics. but also tor en- example in the fItu g.
And for this purpose the Government ought
not to walt for volunteers, whose coming |
may be doubtful, but call from every
available Post troops sufficient TO render
the chastisenient needed, and restore peacs
and safety to homes and families.