Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1873-1877, 1873-04-15
vHE MODOc MASSACRE

fully the dreadful first reports OF the
Mo.Ioc massacre In the presence
of the dead bodies of Candy, Thomas
and Me.clIarn one finds it difficult
and almost hopeless endeavor to
treat patiently and philosophically
of the governmental peace policy in
dealing with the Indians. In any
battle which might have taken place
sinca Cap'n Jack and his warriors re-
treated to their Lava Bed stronghold,
1.-THE fortune of war might have
left the veteran soldier, Candy, .
corpse upon tho field and while
there would have been lamentation
over such 3 mishap it would have
been regarded IS one OF the calami-
ties Of an actual conflict of arms.
But this bloody aud merciless treach
cry, although it is inst such q piece
of dastardism IS the history of the
American Indian gave US full warn
ing to expect, CRATES so harshly upon
our sense of courageous and manful
dealing as between parties profess
ing an equal sense of honor. true
courage and a desi to abate Sc
rious difficulty without bloodshed
a. to 'scut of all debate" on this
Peace Policy question Doubtless
Candy, who was a soldier and man
of experience in the traits and habits
of the Indians. went upon this fatal
and futile GRAND Impressed with q
sense of disapproval of a policy
which il was his duty to execute and
not to hinder or criticise. Perhaps
this direful lesson needed the i'm
pressive repetition it has had in or
der that the infatuation which pre-
walls in some influential quarters of
the East might be dispeiled. There
will be less eagerness. probably.
amongst o certain class OF clergy
men. transcendentalists and men,
bers of the Peace Society to risk
their scalps within reach of the no
BILE Rel Man, in the future and in
part recompense for this sad sacrl-
fee it NAV be that the Indian Ba-
reau will be transferred from its pres
ent handling to the War Depart
ment, where it belongs. As to the
Indians themselves-all Indians, we
mean-it is time that the fact were
generally understood that they are
the farthest removed of any branch
of the human family from the child
like and unsophisticated nature
which a romantic aud mistaken esti
mate has ascribed to them. Thev
are cunning. fearless of death. full
of guile, and hardened, merciless
and altogether incapable Of those
sentimentalities which nnderlie .
true sense OF honor and courage.
Cap'n Jack. Shack Nasty Jim and
the others who are the leaders of
these Modocs don't underrate or mis-
appreherd the consequences Of their
treachery and butchery they know
it means to them war even to the ex-
tent of determination but they who
know the Indian character know
only too we'll. that they are always
capable Of the EXTREMIST and most
foolhsrdy acts Of desperation. Jack
and his warriors would rather be
hunted to death and die fighting
than yield up to the pale invader the
lands they believe to be their own.
Doubtless there was o desperate
method in their mnrderinS-some-
thing like concocted plan whereby
an attack upon and an escape through
our lines was to follow upon this
premeditated butchery of the Gen
eral commanding The Indian dis
believes in the integrity and honor
able intent of his pale faced foe, and
acts accordingly the white man
mistrnsts the Indian. but, reasoning
himself ont of his own instincts and
convictions, fails to act upon them.