The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-04-23
WEDNESDAY EvEG, APRIL 30, Is7;


Ine MOHocs. |
Nothing more decisively proves the need
of correct moral perceptions in certain
class Of our people than the sanguinary
outcry which comes from certain quarters
for the determination Of the Indians be-
cause band of desperate savages,
scarcely three score in number, have COM
mltted an act of treachery and murder.
Three persons were killed by Captain |
Jack and his Modoc desperadoes. 1t is
true they were distinguished, but no one
will claim that their high position added
enormity to the crime. The crime consls-
ted essentially in arranging meeting with |
= pacific professions, and thus Turing |
the unfortunate victims beyond the |
protection of the army for the purpose Of
killing them. And this is considered
an excuse for making a general
war not only upon the Modocs, but upon
other tribes as WELL Men claiming to be
civilized and even Christian, take up the
crv and send it over the land to brutalize
and mislead still farther the national mind
upon the Indian question. Now we have
no mawkish sensibilities upon this matter.
If the interests of humanity, liberty and
the progress of Christian civilization re-
quire the killing OF men, let them be slam!
Whether they are red or black or white,
all must yield to this imperative law. We
ask for the Indian that merciiul discriml-
nation which is shown to the civilized white
man. We demand that the guilty shall be
punished and they only. 1t cannot be more
difficult for as to find out our criminals and
bring them to justice, than for them to find
theirs.
How many murders are committed in
our cities and in our quiet country places,
accompanied by every circumstance OF
treachery and brutality which horrlfes us
in the Indian butcheries? Yet large pro-
portion of the perpetrators escape detec-
ton. What would be thought of plopo-
stion to hold the communities where they
occur responsible for these crimes, because
of their failure to find the perpetrators?
Yet it is just as sound a proposition as is
that, of Furnishing the entire tribe for the
crimes of any portion of them.
Then let us consider how fearlully zoe
have wronged those poor ignorant people,
There is no blacker chapter in the annals
of public crime than the dealings OF ouI
people with the Indians. They have beer
deceived and cheated by agents who
represented the government. The mos
solemn treaties have been fagrantly yiolat.
ed by US. They have been virtually out.
lawed and made the prey of the dissplta.
ted horde of adventurers who infest the
borders. 1t has been no crime to rob Oh
slay them anywhere, while the fedora
troops have been hurled upon their peace
full villages to burn and destroy at the
slightest act of reprisal, or upon the meres
rumor of an Indian outrage.
These are facts which cannot be success
fully denied, and they cannot be ignored
by any man who seeks to comprehend
all the conditions of this Indian problem
1t is also to be remembered how limite'
is the range of the savage understanding
If civilized men and women cry out il
their senseless rage for the indiscriminat
killing of the Indians for the crimes OF
very few of them, shall we wonder tina
these ignorant savages, goaded to mad
ness by centuries of wrong, often forge
in their blind rage to practice prope
discrimination towards US?
These are elements essential to b.
norc,JaroI IN, it,ct Undo
upon this exciting topic. II we expee
Justice and mercy from others, we mus
render it to them. The examples of Franc
and England and the successful peace poll
cy of the Friends are conspicuous example
in contrast with the dealings of our govern
ment with the Indians. Such example
prove conclusively that serious Indian diff
culties may be avoided by simply dom
right. But we are to face facts, and Will
the peace policy is not fallur
but signal success, we must punish o
exterminate all lawless and desperate me
this as much for the safety of the tribe
as for ourselves. The olive branch Away
first, but close behind the sword, swi
to punish the wrong doer. That is our ide
of the true Indian policy. Meanwhile Ii
no foolish rage induce the interruption I
that noble work which the Indian commi
sion and the administration have inaugt
rated. 1t is creditable to our common hi
manity and will certainly be crowne
with ultimate success, because it is base
upon justice and love, which are the foul
dations of the universe.
Bee Keeping.
Al, Al u i