The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-09-19
harmless as doves" Should Congress, al

Terms Cash on delivery of all work.
harmless as doves" Should Congress- at
its next session, desire to grapple intelli-
gently with this matter they might learn,
from our Canadian neighbors, the proper
course to pursue, and one that would give
general satisfaction. A committee might
be appointed to cross the border and dis
cover the secret why that country, with as
bad Indians and as treacherous tribes, is 80
free from the evils with which ours is
cursed. Even from the Mormons salu-
tary lesson may be learned, as they, in their
intercourse with the Indians, have set an
example to the Interior Department at
Washington which, if followed, would put
an end to all necessities for "Peace Com
missioners," twists to the Great Father"
and other humbuggery now so extensively
followed. On the 4th of September, 1852,
a treaty was made with the Utss and Shos-
homes, in which these tribes were given dis
tinctly to understand that so long as they
remained peaceable no wrong or harm
! would be done them. Neither arms am
munition, horses, nor rations were given
them; and the result proved that the Nor
mons, by their bold, fearless actions, COM
PEELED them to keep quiet. Since that time
Utah has been comparatively free from
depradations, and would continue so if the
Nauvoo legion, or MALTA of the Territory,
are allowed their way, as an independent
volunteer force is far better than shackled
regular army in putting down an outbreak.
1t is the opinion of the West that the army
is far better able to manage Indian affairs
than the Interior Department; that Peace
Commissioners, agents and citizen en-
ployees should be superseded by officers,
soldiers and muskets. Force is the only
thing to use in dealing with the reds, as
they only know the difference between good
and evil by the temporal benefit or punish
ment that follows their actions. At its
last session, Congress had this question
under advisement, and during its consider
alton many leading officers as we'll as peace
men were called to give their views. The
evidence adduced from one side was fatty
contradicted by the other, leaving the COM
mittee totally unable to form any decided
opinion, and so affairs were allowed to
remain as they were. The principal objec-
ton brought forward against the army was
that, should it assume control, the Indian
ring was broken, its power gone, and its
agente forevermore unable to retire at the
end Of two years with $50, 900, while only
receiving salary of $1,000. Another OBJ.
lection was that the army would introduce
RIGHTEOUSNESS, laziness and drunkenness,
and thus overthrow the great good accom-
plished by their paid missionaries and Sab
bath school teachers. Last Spring brought
to light many things that these canting
hypocrites would fain have shielded had
not the outbreak occurred so suddenly that
in their fear of death they suffered expos
ure. On the arrival of the troops at Red
Cloud agency the first thing that attracted
their attention was the number of white
men, who, to all appearances, we're part
and parcel of the tribe. On being asked
for an explanation the agent tried to squirm
out Of it, but at last acknowledged that he
didn't know who they were, from whence
they came, nor in fact anything about them
more than that they were dangerous char
acters, and as the Indians like them for
their utter worthlessness, depravity, and
recklessness he thought it would create a
disturbance should he attempt their re-
moval from the reservation. Each of these
men had from one to three squaws, and
seemed we'll content with the dirt and filth
that surrounded them, but they did not
remain long after the arrival of the soldiers,
and had perhaps their own reasons for
they would be less liable to recognition;
for without doubt there are plenty of white
men among the Indians who are &" wanted"
in the East. 1t is impossible to imagine
the utter depravity of these Indians, and
the disgusting scenes witnessed daily at
their pow pows and dog feasts are not fit
for publication. The soldier drew only
hard bread for his ration while the Indians
received -four. Instead of making any
| attempt to bake it they preferred trading,
and would give hundred pound sack for
few pieces of hard tack. This may be
| red simplicity, but is more likely pure lazi-
ness and ignorance, and is rather poor
showing for the many years they have been
subject to Quaker discipline. Owing to
the scarcity of manageable females the
majority of ranchmen form an attachment
for a longer or shorter period with sqnaws.
These are easily obtained by paying GER
tain sum to the Chief of the tribe to which
they belong, but oftener by negotiating
trade where spawned, broken-dow horse
is an equivalent for all the right title and
interest the tribe may possess in the squaw
to be purchased. Some men buy three or
four, and when you find one of the latter
class he is sure to be death on the "bloody
Mormons." The children arising from these
connections form the very worst class on
the plains, as a half-breed in nearly every
case possesses the lowest passions of the
white race and the treacherous, thieving
disposition of the red. There is nothing
to hinder these men from dissolving their
relations with their squaws at any time
They are at liberty to 60 when and where
they please, leaving the mothers and off
spring to return to the tribe or starve.
These are no extreme cases. Every tribe
in this Territory presents the same picture
of Righteousness and worthlsssness. Even
our allies, the almost civilized Shoshones,
have squaws scattered over the country
from the Wind river valley to the confines
of Utah, and in the vicinity of Fort Bird
ger alone fully fifty men who gain scanty
living raising cattle, driving teams, trap
ping or hunting, have squaw companions
whose society compensates them somewhat
for their bachelor existence. In the face
of these facts, and which at the time were
we'll known to the ring, it was malicious
libel to attempt any comparison between
Indian agents and their employees and the
army. AS class, the soldiers are far their