The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-09-25
THE PEACE POLICY.

We cut out from the New York Herald
the following letter, from the Quaker agent
at Fort Sill to the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs at Washington, to show the kind of
representations being continually made by
those pious fools or lnaves, it scarcely mat
ters which, so far as the people of Texas
are concerned. 1t will be seen that it con
tains the admission that the young braves
are continually leaving the reservation to
raid it through our borders, and that the
supply of stolen horses is abundant. Great
credit is given the chiefs for bringing in
and delivering to the broad-brim agent a
few of these stolen horses, (no doubt of lit
tie account and not worth keeping), and for
expressing their determination to do all they
can to keep their young men from doing
these naughty things, and if they cannot
succeed in this, they will at least collect
the stolen stock and deliver it over to the
agent to send back to the owners. Broad
brim expresses his qualification in being able
to make so favorable a report about these
interesting pets of the government, and
gets Off good quantity of pious, senti-
mental nonsense .on the occasion. Now
does not everybody, with any knowledge of
Indian character, know that the chiefs could
prevent tins raiding of the young thieves
and butchers, if they would, and that all
this fair talk is but Indian cunning and false
hood? What advantage would it be to the
owners to have the chiefs deliver up their
stolen horses to the agent at Fort SLIP
It would cost more than their worth to
get them. And are the people on our from
tier to be alarmed and harassed continually
for the amusement of these young devils,
that the chiefs cannot control2 And how
are the women and children, outraged and
butchered during these raids, to retumed2
Nothing is said about them. Broadbrim can
talk about "peace and quiet and days
Of sunshine" and "bright beaconsp that
cheer him, and the wisdom and righteous
ness Of the peace policy but never a
word of the Indian butcheries in Texas and
the poor children carried off into a captivity
worse than DEATH We sicken over this
peace policy and the mawkish sentiment of
these pious reports. But here is the letter
Judge for yourselves:
WASHINGTON, September 2, 1873.
The Commissioner of Indian Affairs re-
ceived to-day the following letter from Fort
Sill, written on August 81, the day after
the reported massacre:
KIowA AND CoSfANcHE AGENCY.
Eighth month, 21st day, 1878.
E. Hoag, Superintendent, Lawrence, kansas;
Dear Friead-By the last mall out I had
the satisfaction of reporting to the Super
intendent that Horseback and Blackboard
had brought IN and turned over to me
twelve head of horses which had been
stolen by some of the young Qua-hadas
from Texas. This evening the Yam-pa-
reka chiefs, Quirts-Quip, Cheevers, Yellow
Moon, Wild Horse and Iron Mountain,
brought in fifteen more and turned them
over to me. They say their intention is to
do all they can ts keep their young men
from running Off and stealing horses. and
il they cannot do so, as fast as they bring
any stock to camp they will collect it to-
gethcr and give it to me to send back to the
owners. ! am expecting some more this
week from BOchetakers. It is really grati-
flying to me to be privileged to make sach a
report, the more so when / reflect that it has
been brought about without threat being
made but simply by kind talk and appeals
to their better nature. have told them
that Washington sent me here 10 work for
their good, and il they win help me we can
have a white country here, peaceful and
quiet, so that We can lie down and sIccp
without fear Of anybody disturbing us. /
believe a large number 81 them are really
anxious Tor such state Of alIairs, and win
willingly work to that end Amidst the
many discouraging circumstances BIZ which
] have az times been surrounded since as
suming the responsibilities Of this import
ant agency. days Of sunshine show them
selves aud many bright beacons come up in
my way TO cheer me. None and morc as
mingle with this people am ! tenvinccd or
the wisdom and righteousness Of The present
peace policy in their management, and
firmly believe that II il be only carried out
in good faith bg the government and its
agents. great good viii Be hcaccompiished and
millions Of tnc4srrc saved % the people, l,e-
sides the i1rgc number Of lives which any
other system would cost I think the
lndilns e this agency are, IS q body, ia q
good state 81 feeling for 3 beneficial couu-
Gil Or treaty 10 he Malc with them. bV
which the border of Texas may be made IS
safe irom harm. So iar IS these Indians arc
c1ac-lneo. - any ether part Of the State.
h'sl'eclinily.
3 81 NnvuErH, Indian Agent.