The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-07-14
CUSTER AND CONQUEST.
INVASION OF THE BLACK HILLS.


AN UNPRovoKED ATTEMPT AT WAR AND Ex-
TERMINATION-THE CONDITION OF THE IN
DIAN TRIBES.
The st. Paul (Minn.) Dispatch, of June
29th, says: Tomorrow is the day fixed for
the departure OF General Clusters military
expedition. Within the century there has
not been an undertaking sanctioned by the
government more wantonly cruel and
wicked. 1t is an Illegal and uDholy mission,
barbarous crusade against peaceable and
unoffending indians, in reckless disregard
of their appeals for justice, in defiance OF
the protests of bishops and missionaries OF
the church and of all the friends of Indian
civilization, forbidden by the treaties OF
the United States, and in violation OF
public law and universal humanity.
On the 10Th of April, ls6S, the United
States. through is commissioners, made
and concluded with the different tribes OF
Sioux Indians, a sacred treaty, now the law
of the land, by which the Black Hills coun-
try, with fixed boundaries, about which
there no dispute, was set apart. for the
absolute and undisturbed use and occupation
of these Indians. 1t was solemnly agreed,
on the part of the United States, that no
person except those designated in the treaty
shall ever be permitted to pass over, settle
upon or reside in that territory. The per-
Sons excepted are government agents in
discharge of duties eDjOined by law. By no
possible constru, tic however liberal, how
ever forced, could Clusters military expedi-
ton be included within the exception. The
object of the treaty was TO prevent war. 1t
declares in its opening sentence that the
government of the United States desires
peace and
PLEDGES ITS HONOR
to keep it. To secure the grant the Indians
surrendered other territory, agreed TO with
draw opposition to railroads being built on
the plains, and permit others not passing
through their reservation. The treaty was
advised February Is, 1869, and proclaimed
February Is, 1869. General Clusters ex-
petition is in wanton violation of every
provision of this treaty, and of the Uni
ted States. Quietly and silently, Custer,
acting on his own authority, or on some
secret instructions from President Grant or
General Sheridan, or both, and partially ig-
n0fing the cooperation or powers of his SUI
perior officers in this department. has made
his own preparations for the unauthorized in
vasion. Not a word was spoken in congress
on the subject, no appropriation made, and
no authority granted. One week ago to-
day, twenty eight scouts from the
Santee Sioux, settled in Yankton IN Ne
braska, arrived in st. Paul. Sent for by
General Custer to act as scouts, they reluct-
antly obeyed. The Santee Sioux, number
ing about two thousand, through the labors
and self-sacrifclng toll of Bishop Whipple.
Bishop Hare, and their noble missionaries,
have been completely civilized. In their
case, the practicability of Indian civilization
has been demonstrated. The results are be-
fore the world. They have abandoned the
habits and nomadic life of Indians; they
dress, live and labor like white men. no
lOnOar demanding a for 1bSiS
ance; they have taken S0-acre homesteads,
live in houses, own stock and farming i'm
PIGMENTS, extensively
CULTIVATE THEIR LANDS,
planting trees about their farms, raising
crops and sending their surplus to market.
They have churches and schools and news
papers, observe Sundays and gala days, are
loyal to the government and peaceable,
christian people. Only IL years ago these
Indians were the most warlike of the war
like. Their bands were engaged in the hor-
r;ble massacres in Minnesota in 1862, The
Black Hills central point for the Sioux
of the upper Missouri and the mountain
region. 1t is their great reserved hunting
ground, where, according TO the general
national game law, game is carefully pre-
served for tine OF scarcity add need. No
band is allowed to establish a village in the
Black Hills. Hitler, in times of need, they
go to hunt and to celebrate their mystic
rites and religious ceremonies. Here the
wandering tribes of the plains obtain poles
for the rude tepees with which to shelter
themselves from the storms and SHOWS of
winter. Here, beneath the protection of the
dense forests with which the country is COW
cred, they pasture their horses during the
winter. Such is the country to be invaded.
Regarded from time immemorial as sacred
ground, in which all havea common interest;
holding it by a title paramount to all
earthly titles, deriving it from the same God
who gave to white men their rights. recog-
nized and guaranteed, and pledged on the
faith and honor of the national government,
it is not wonderful that the Indians should
regard Clusters expedition as a challenge to
war. Knowing these facts and the terrible
disasters likely to ensue, Bishop Hare, Mis-
sionary Episcopal Bishop of Nebraska, some
two or three weeks ago transmitted to the
president an earnest protest, stating the
danger and wrong, telling the president in
plain language that the expedition violates
all the principles of his declared peace policy,
and appealing to him on behalf of law, JUS
tice and humanity to stop the wicked and
illegal affair. The president has turned a
deafear to these entreaties. 1t is said he for
warded the protest. without one word of
comment, TO Custer himself through the
usual channels. These are the facts of the
greatest national disgrace that has ever
DIsHoNoRED THE COUNTRY.
Without motive, without the pretense of an
excuse, the govern ment has deliberately re-
solved to inaugurate an Indian war, the
horrors of which can not be foretold. The
expedition may not be captured, but that it
will lose many men and sacrifice many lives
can admit OF no doubt. Custer, whose ambi-
ton is notorietY and notoriety at any cost.
has provided himself with correspondents.
Indian resistance will be misrepresented and
used against them. Soon a call for more
troops will be made, and the cry Of Indian
cruelty tortured into an excuse for war of
determination. Is this worthy of a christian
people? 1t is an outrage against which not
only the people of America but of the world
should raise their solemn protest. For Is
years no white man has been permitted to