Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1873-05-03
OLYMPIA, SATURDAY MORNING. M ), 1873.
THE MOD0C WAR.

Lava Beds is not vet ended. The har-
rowing details of slaughter will be found
in our news columns. The insignificant
tribe engaged. numbering less than 80
persons, from the peculiar strength OF
their stronghold, have created n greater
sensation throughout the country than
has ever before attended savage warfare.
What will make it more memorable
than other conflicts of like nature, will
he the futile efforts of the Peace Com
mission, and the lamented death of
Gen. Candy and Rev. DR.. Thomas,
while engaged inpromoting the inter-
csts of peace and the welfare of the
treacherous savages.
In tracing the progress Of events, as
We gather it from the published ac-
counts, we have founded our own con-
illusions as to where the responsibility
rests for this sacrifice of life in the in
terests of peace and humanity, and the
effort of great and magnanimous
nation TO avoid q war of determination
upon weak people, however degraded
and uncivilized they may have been.
The appointment of the Peace Com
mission, while necessary to satisfy the
demands of those who believe the In
dams are mistreated by the border peo-
pie, was an ill-advised policy, composed
as it was of men against whom the In
dams had, or fancied they had, cause
of grave complaint. Mr.. Meacham had
been Superintendent at the time the
Modocs left the reservation, and know
ing him to be superior in authority to
the agents against whom they had
made specific complaints, he was very
naturally recipient of share of their
distrust. Mr.. Apologize was a relative
of the agent of the same name who
was on the reservation at the time,
against whom they held the most bitter
luminosity, and until Mr.. Steele made
his first visit to the Lava Beds, they
supposed him to be the identical per-
son. This appears to have been the
reason why they refused to commune
cate with any body but Judge Rose.
borough and Mr.. Steele, men they had
known for many years, and in whom
they reposed the most implicit con.
fdence. Judge Roseborough was fin.
ally added to the Commission and Mr.
Steele invited to assist them and to
bear the peace proposition to the Indi-
ans. This mission the latter gentleman
willingly accepted, believing there was
but little risk in dealing with the Indi
ans when he could bear to them q
promise of protection and removal be-
yond the influence of those who they
regarded as their foes. The proposition
carried to the Lava Beds appeared te
meet with the hearty appreciation of al
the Indians, and but for the illness o.
Capt. Jack, might have resulted in &
permanent peace.
As it was, a delegation was sent te
the Commissioners, at army headquar
tiers, and although the Commissioners
reiterated the promises of Mr.. Steele
all friendly feeling was dissipated b,
the Indians becoming aware of the &C
ton of the Jacksonville Grand Jur,
and the protest of the Governor of Or
egon. These circumstances excited
their suspicious and Induced the belle
that treachery-their own peculiar char
acteristic, when dealing with enemie.
was intended. This is shown by thei
change of manner towards Mr.. Steele
on his visit to the Lava Beds secont
time, with Bill Dad" the correspond
ent of the S. F. Chronicle, when the,
threatened his life, and would probabl,
have carried their threat into execution
but for the interference of ScarfaceG
Charley. Up to that that time, ever
Capt. Jack seems to have been inclined
to peace; while those who had been t,
the camp Of the whites were sullen
threatening and extravagant in thei
demands. Capt. Jack appears to hav,
been only forced to adopt their view
after having had squaw's hat placed
upon his head, means of reproacl
that cannot be endured by any India,
who expects to remain chief among hi
people. The next morning he made
strong war speech, and although per
hitting the messengers to return, he wa
evidently determined to injure the white
in every possible way. His first act wa
in keeping with the savage instinct, t,
destroy those he regarded as the lead