The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-12-25

The Indians are at it again in Texas, mur-
derlng and plundering. From San Antonio
It Is reported that in a late raid on the Nue.
ces river they killed twenty-four persons,
mostly sheepherders; that at Rielrs ranch a
band Of thirty of the redskins succeeded in
running of thirty-eight horses: that at one
place they came upon two Mexicans, one of
whom, 70 save himself, jumped into A well,
and that the facetious savares, thinking it
q good joke, threw the other one in, and
went on their way rejoicing; that at another
ranch where thirteen herdefs were driving
sheep, the playful Indians killed seven Of
the men aud hung them up in the trees to
dry, and as for the other six men they are
missing. We believe that there are four or
five thousand United States troops oc-
cupied in guarding the Texas frontier, and
that Texas--excluding her Indians-has q
population Of someseven hundred thousand
and we know that her white men, as a rule,
are good shooters and have no objection TO
fight. How it is, then, that few bands
of half-naked Indians can roam about at
pleasure, killing and plundeTing in the heart
Of the State, we cannot comprehend. We
fear that the State and its people depend too
much upon the United States troops, and
we believe that if the State were to take
this matter of the suppression Of Indian dis
turbances into its own hands these Outrages
would soon be suppressed. Here the old
maxim viii aptly apply that Providence
helps those that help themselves. s.--Nel0
York Herald
The Herald does not seem to be aware
that the general government will not let
the people of Texas take into their own
hands the suppression of Indian disturb
ances and outrages, When they have ap-
piled to the government, as they have done,
for the privilege of raising troops and chas-
tising the savages, who are continually in
vading them, destroying their property and
numbering and taking captive their de-
fenseless wives and children, they have
been expressly denied the privilege. The
government says, ''This.ls our business, not
yoursJ We have adopted a certain line of
policy towards the Indians, marked out by
the Quallers who believe them much
abused and injured race, and we cannot al
low YOU to meddle in this matteru The
Herald is right il. supposing that Texans
are good shooters, and have no objection
to fight, and, if permitted, they would
make short. work of the Indian question.
If the government viii say the word and
turn our people loose, they will show them
they can ''help themselves without any
particular aid from Providence, otherwise
than remaining neutral, as the old Tennes-
seean prayed before the battle of New
Orleans. But they are not allowed to go
beyond the limits of the State in pursuit Of
the Indianssor hardly to protect their own
firesides unless under the supervision of the
United States officials.
Our people, instead of depending too
much onthe United States troops, have no
dependence at all upon them. The most Of
them are negroes, and are looked upon as
worse than nothing. They know nothing
about fighting Indians, and the Indians
laugh at and despise them. There may be
5000 regular troops in Teres-we think
there are rnoro-but if the number were
%, 600, it would not prevent the Indians
from raiding as long as the present Indian
policy is continued. That must be changed
The Indians must not be fed and clothed by
the general government, and supplied witt
guns and ammunition, and allowed to raid
at pleasure, without punishment. That ii
the case now. There must be a change oi
policy, and whenever the Indians do wrong
they must be severely punished even to ex
termination, if needful. That is the only
way to deal with savages, the American In
dians in particular We trust the Herald
will set its readers right about the people O.
Texas. They are in fact 'spoiling" for {
fight, but are held back by the strong aFmi
of the Washington government, which vii
do nothing effectual itself or allow Others
to actin their own defense. five attempted
to arm our people to any extent, the or!
would be raised that we intended anothei
rebellion. Does not the Herald see this?