The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-22
BEFORE THE MASSACRE.

Review OF tho Management or the Peace
C0mmissi0n-The Government Humbled
Before the Savages-Gcneral Canby's
Kindness and Patience-The Humbug
81 the COuncils-An Indian Talked to
Death-Large Presents Made to the
Modocs Mt the Expense OF the Troops
Death OF DIR. McNIillin.
CAMP IN LAVA BEDS, CALI
APRIL 10, 1873. I
II is now nearly two months since Peace CON-
mission arrived in this section OF the country,
armed with full power to treat with Captain Jack
and his tribe, and nothing as yet has been accom-
plished Time may be of no account to the Peace
Commissioner, drawing $40 per diem for his
services, but the Indian Bureau should certainly
have little consideration for the public purse in
their endeavors to carry out and establish the
moral suasion theory as the infallible cure
for fractions Indians. ! have now been long
enough among these Indians to gain some insight
Into their personal character, and believe them to
be q fearless, brave set OF men. am satisfied that
they do not want to fight any more, and that
eventually, when moral suasion has failed and the
force OF arms succeeded, they will accept the prof
fered terms and go to home some distant
reservation In their present position they occupy
the stand Of victors ana Judging from the tone OF
the communications that have passed between
Captain Jack and the Peace Commissioners, the
former is evidently impressed with that
belief, and prefers debating to accepting
For the past two months they have been
treated as II the United States government
was afraid OF them, and, flushed with
their victory OF the 18th OF January nothing bur the
force OF arms can make them leave the home of
their childhood. If Immediately after that fight
, the troops had come into camp where they now
are and commenced q regular siege OF the Modoc
stronghold the Indians might have been disposed
to accept terms and the trouble settled in q few
days. Two months now have elapsed during
which time the Peace Commission have shown
themselves
AFRAID OF THE INDIANS
Tobacco has been given them, provisions have been
given them, blankets have been given them. They
have been petted and pampered, had every trinng
wish granted, and yet people are astonshed that
they do not give up their old home
and go to some distant country Is
It likely that a party of Indians, after
just repulsng two or three hundred United States
soldiers and knowing that there were 600 more
soldiers within twenty miles for the past two
months, would give up what they fought for es-
pecally when they found they could remain where
they were and get provisions, blankets and
tabacco for the asking' The Peace Commissioners
are perhaps not as much to blame for the pro-
longing Of the war are the authorities in Wash
ington, who send such dispatches as, "Hold on
and make peace IL IL takes all SUMMER Such
kind hearted doctrines may look very well in Official
reports and are probably read with pride by the
znembers OF societies for providing the aborigines
with clothing. Though on the face they seem senti-
mcnts Of humanity, and may occasionally meet with
success for the time being they ultimately are cruel
In this instance, If these Indians were allowed
to remain where they are and the troops with
drawn, the country would flow with blood before
another thirty days. Tie Indians would have to
live, to live they would to steal cattle. to steal
cattle they would have to fight and soon fresh
Outcries and complaints would pour into Washing
ton, muttering dark tales Of murdered settlers and
Indian outrages. 1t is also highly probable that
such
SUBMISSION on THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT
60 tribe Of rebellious Indians would tend TO in
crease the discomfort already brewing among the
Snakes and flutes The fact that forty or fifty In
0ians had repulsed two or three hundred soldiers
mas already had q marked effect upon the untu-
tored savage, and the additional news that the
United States government in their magnanimity
have decided to give these victorious Indians
the land they asked and take their licking in good
grace will also be appreciated by the sagacous Lo
90 not feel bloodthirsty towards these Indians,
but am certain II is expedicnt that they should
receive slight idea OF the power of the govern
.ment before they are embraced and loaded down
Win us Rilts. III tney are are TO know 1t as
4Svernment that can give, they should also know
Il as government that is not afraid OF Indians and
can punish them when they deem it necessary.
AN AIR OF INsOLENcE
mas pervaded the whole OF these Indians ever since
fhe last light, tnat requires checking, and have
myself heard them say that one Mo Toe in the
rocks can kill twenty soldiers. - w
Last Monday week the whole command left van
Bremcr's Rancho and after march of abomt
twelve miles, encamped for the night on the shores
Of Little Klamath Lake, Major Thomas with the