Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-04-17

easy job. We hope to see amend OF this
dallying at once. Either confess that
we cannot do anything with them, or
prosecute a war to its utmost extremity
A General Indian War Imminent.
1t seems more than probable that
general Indian war is imminent at the
West Our dispatches, yesterday morn
ing, indicated that the Kiowas, Chey-
ennes and Arrapahoes were preparing
for war on an extensive scale. 1t would
seem that the government anticipates
this result, as they are reinforcing all the
forts in Western Kansas and to the
south thereof, and have, already, or,
dered extra troops to the ''front, some
of which have commenced to reach their
destination and others are rapidly on the
way. Not only are the warlike prepara-
lions going on with the tribes mentioned,
but other tribes are getting ready for ac-
tive fighting. The war spirit comes from
those portions of the tribes, where it
might naturally be looked for. The
young men want to fight. They desire
IF such word is applicable to a
savage-to follow in the footsteps of
their fathers. The renown and glory
of the old chiefs, and their standing and
influence in the tribe, depends, and al
ways has depended, upon the number of
poal,~g +ba1y could aybihit &C tba Yac,1If IF
their prowess. The young men know
of no other way by which to attain the
same standing, position and influence.
This is natural 1t is human nature and
savage nature everywhere. We are not
surprised, therefore, when we are told that
''the young men of the Cheyenne tribe
scorn the peace policy, and are restless,
impatient and eagerly anxious to 90 on
the war path. Old chiefs who have
visited Washington, and who noted on
the route the extent of the white popu-
lation, have advised peace in their coun-
ellis, but the impulsiye young warriors
of the lodges will not listen" The only
hold the peace policy of the government
has ever obtained over the Indians has
been through their fears. An Indian is
more or less indolent, and when the
days of his activity are passed he likes to
live in ease and idleness. If the govern
ment will settle him on reservations,
feed and clothe him, and overlook or
forgive his little pecadillos, he is for
pnapa With tho vounr mon II IL diff
ferent. They know nothing of the
strength and power of the United States.
They have not travelled to Washington
| and ''noted the extent of the white
population" They, know, however,
| that white settlements are gradually ex-
| tending westward, and encroaching
upon their hunting grounds. They see
the whites in but few and scattered
bands. These they are able to over
come and murder with ease, by treach-
cry, or even in open fight. What care
the young men for the whites or their
power? Accustomed to roam at will,
they do not propose to be cabined,
cribbed and confined on a small reserya-
ton, when they believe that the whites
possess no physical power to compel
such course. They have, too, the same
Incidence of their fathers. But the in
| dolence of the fathers, combined with a
wholesome knowledge and fear of the
| United States, leads them to seek it's in
diligence by being fed by that power
and, being too old to go on the war path,
remaining at peace. The incidence of
the young man, while it will not allow
him to work, permits him to steal. He
likes to roam, he seeks for renown and
sealps, he has no knowledge of-and,
therefore, does not fear-the power of
the government, and seeks his food and
scanty clothing in forays and marauding
expeditions. He gets food, glory and
scalps at the same time. The only
parts of the army of the United States
they have seen have been single COM
panies or small attachments. These
they have fought and have as often
met with success as defeat They are
willing to try itagain. Hence, the young
men scorn peace policy and are eager
for war. The young men control the
warriors of the tribes, because the war
riors are, necessarily, young men. If
our dispatches contain true statement
OF the facts, and we believe they do, we
look for an immediate general Indian
war