The Petroleum Centre daily record. [volume] (Petroleum Center, Pa.) 1868-1873, 1873-05-14
The Indian Problem.

The Indian Problem.
OF all The blunders this Government has
made none is more stupid than the recognI-
tion In the Indians Of responsible beings. -
We commence by treating them ashavios
q right Of property 10 the coil. The Indiana
had just as mnch right to the soil as had
the wild beasts. The Indians made no bet
ster use Of the soil than did the wild beasts.
Both rosmed over the land in search OF
game and that is al, the use they made OF
Il. And OF the two the wild beasts were al
together the most provident, for many OF
them laid IN an, adeqnats supply for the
wiutpr. There should bsvs been no such
thing ~ 40 acknowlsdg gemen. of any Indian
ownership IN the soil. There never should
have been . treaty. A treaty isa contract
and a contract prssnmes two parties compe-
tent 10 make an sgrs 'ement, and responsib .
for Its execution. There nevsr,was but one
side toA contract with Indians. They
never lived up to contract except at the
point OF bsyonet
We believe 10 peace policy with the I'M
dians. But not 10 mskiog treaties for them
to violate, nor do we believe they have any
rights In the coil which . civilized man lie
bound to respect. The Indians are the
wards of the Government. They should be
treated like unruly children. They should
b toId what tbey must do and then be conn
PEELED to obey instructions. Placed on
reservations belonging to the Government,
oot to them, they should be made to stay
on such reservations or they should be sbo.
u they attempt to run OF. Those who show
. disposition to become civilized, and who
are industrious, should have . piece Of land
and should he encouraged 10 al attempts at
civilization. But this business Of maxi g
.bem presents, Of furnishing them With
gewgsws aud paint to adorn their pe.eons,
AMI With riHss snd ball to shoot white set
tiers and soldiers should cease. An Indian
should DO made to understand that he must
become usa or be must get OF the track.
We have tried long enough TO humor these.
red devils snd, the play should cease.
As we understand Il, the policy OF Bishon
Whlppls ofths Episcopal C hurcb-a mau
who knows better Whist there 10 good in the
Iodian than any other man-is that OF
treating ths Indians % children, % wards
Of the Government They are ss ignorant
as children, and must be educated up 10
dsceucy, civilization and christianity.-
They must be restrained In their rowing ma
ture, must be forced to settle down, and II
not willing to Learn the arts Of peace must
be made TO refrain from their savage prac1
tiees ss w would compel vicious, wild boys
to 90 to school and behave themselves.
Put the tribes on Reform Farms and make
them live up 70 tho rules, as we do the boys
on Reform Farms. Wbsn any Iodian has
proved that the besstingly has left him,
when be clearly shows determination to
keep himself clean, and to wear decent
clothing, when be acknowledges the ssnctity
OF the family relation, and learns to look
upon bis squsw % something above beas.
Of burden, when be 10 willing forever to
bury bic hatchst, and dscsrds bis nonsense
about wampum, and pipe Of peace, and
''setting sum-" and hanging bis powder
horn on the moon, and shows an aptitude
for some other white man accomplish sbuents
than playing cards, gambling, and drinking |
whiskey, thsu be should be allowed to act
up Tor himself % responsible human bs,
Inn