Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-01-14
The Indian Policy.

From DR.. Josiah Curtis, well known
citizen of this place, whose arrival we
noted a few days since, and who Is now
connected with the Indian Department,
we learn certain facts in regard to the policy
of our Government towards the Indians
that may be of interest to our readers. The
Indians, the original inhabitants of this
country, have gradually given way before
the tide of advancing civilization, until only
few are left remaining in the States east OF
the Mississippi river. West of the Mis-
sissippi, however, they are scattered in
considerable numbers over the plains, in
the Rocky Mountains, and on the Pacific
slope, from the British possessions on the
North to Mexico on the South, aggregatng
over 800, 900. These comprise all grades,
| from the widest savage to those twho have
| attained a respectable degree of civiliza-
| ton. In our treaties with the various
| tribes have always been recognized as an
| independent people. More than 100 trea-
| ties have been made with them. BY these
| treaty stipulations they have yielded to
the government the vast area of country
which constituted their hunting grounds,
and have agreed to remain within certain
prescribed limits-called reservations, so
| called, because it Is reserved for their eX-
elusive use and withdrawn from settle
ment by the whites. Having given up
these hunting grounds, the In
dams must obtain livelihood
in some other way. In these treaties, the
Government solemnly agrees to teach them
how 70 take care of themselves, and to
feed and clothe them while they are being
thus taught. The Government furnishes
agents to look after their interests. farmers
to teach them farming, millers to grind
their corn, blacksmiths and carpenters to
make and mend their imple-
ments, physicians and hospitals fov
their sick and intirm teachers and school
houses for the education of their children
and the religious societies supply mission
aries to improve and elevate the moral
condition. There are from 75 to 100 agents
and an equal number of each OF the other
classes mentioned.
The peace policy consists in inviting the
cooperation of representative bodies of the
various religious den ominations in the Sc
lection of suitable persons to fill the vari-
Gus positions above mentioned, instead Of
leaving them to the mercies of the military
arm of the government. DIR. Curtis is at
the head of the medical and educational
branch of this service. 1t is proper to state
that in every case where those treaties
have been broken it has been by
the Government and in case by the
Indians. 1t is no wonder, then,
that the Indians are losing faith in the
make.
Tho peace policy is certainly the only
one that ought to be adopted by a christian
Government. That the "hghtingn policy
is not paying one is shown by the fact,
that every Indian killed has cost the Gov
eminent million dollars. In the carry
ing out of this peace policy there could not
be more suitable man placed in charge
of tho medical aud educational depart
ments than DIR. Curtis. This we say from
an intimate knowledge Oft the man and his
attainnents.
He will remain in the city few
days longer when he will return to his du-
ties in Washington.