National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-27
nER LNnLAN POLICY

THUgsDAY MORNING -. ::::AueusT e. lE'
OUR INDIAN POLICY.
1t is becoming very grave question as
to what policy should be pursued with the
Indians of the West. The sO-called peace
policy of General Grant has worked well,
uDon the average, so far as it has been found
practicable TO enforce it; but it needs the
cooperation of the military as an over
awing and restraining power. And there
is little doubt that this overawing and re-
straining military influence sometimes needs
to be exercised against evil-disposed whites
with more severity than is usual The
religious and missionary element OF the
country affect to believe that Indians may
be so treated and trained as to cease to be
savages and develop into Christians. The
New York Independent Of this week con-
ts!ns an open editorial letter to the Presi-
dent, which, after recapitulating some OF
his military and civil services, proceeds as
follows: mo other deed of yours has done
"you more credit than your chiValrous
protection of the Indians against white
" ruf8ans and thieves. We have seen that
nTour heart was in this righteous policy.
In 1t you have had the hearty
"supp6rt Of all Christian people.
"Under this policy we have en-
"joyed peace along our borders. indian
'agents have not all been thieves. Treaties
'hsve been reasonably well kept. Conf
'tdencs in thelr white fathers will sd
''power to do them justice has begun 70
''spring up among those who had looked
upon Us only as their natural enemes.
Large tribes, hitherto utterly hostile lave
received agents and have ~ ~. sT' ponor
'Thls one achiGSTJr nIni..ration We now
enO uslft 10 you most earnestly to maintain
EThis honest faith with our Indian neigh
'bors. 1t - TOO late now to undo the wrong
''of the Custer expedition to the Black Hills.
This has done its work, and has, we hope,
''by this time escaped the bloody attack
(Which 1t deserved from the entire
'Sioux nation. Its safety, we suppose,
''is due less to Indian fcrbearancs than
"to the celebrity and skill Of General Gus
"ter's movements. We understand the
apology for the expedition, which must
"have seemed more welghty to you than
at did to US But now all disguise is re-
"poved. The gold which was sought has
"been found, and expeditions are citing
cup already to enter and hold the Indian
reservation. VIII you, President Grant,
CGaIlOU, THE t. cop1d l,a ,,I,vzihl, ,rr,o5 /
"perhsps, that the United States nIght
"send Its officers to map out a reservation
1t cannot and will not be argued that, IN
oder the Sioux treaty, civilians may enter !
"that reservation to dig for gold. The Ian
"guage Of the treaty is explicit. The honor
"of the Government is pledged to pro-
"tect the Sioux nation against all !
"intruders. Win you do itH VIII !
''you by proclamation forbid such in
'vaslon7 We believe you will The
treaty absolutely protects the Indians"
1t is well that this subject of Indian pol |
icy should now be fully discussed. There
are many who believe that they should no
longer be treated as savages and treated
with as tribes and nations, but that they
should be civilized and Christianized and
treated as citizens, amcnable to laws, and
entitled to equal rights before the law. In
the enjoyment Of these rights they should
be protected by the full power Of the Gov
eminent The Government should acquire
their lands from them. If they really have
any title TO any Of the wild lands Of the
West which they do not cultivate, and in
vest the funds for their benefit. The pro-
ccedso Of these funds might be expended for
agricultural and educational advancement
As soon as the recipients have ceased
to be savages they shonld be invested
with citizenship and held responsible
for obedience to law. Under the present
policy Indians are neither foreigners ncr
citizens. We treat with them and make
war upon them, and hold them 10 quasi
sIhjccl;on and punish their iEfraciICns OF
their treaty stipulations with acts oG war,
but yet do not open wide 20 them the gates
OF civilization. WrPermit the lowest grades
Of renegade whites to go among them and
demoralize them by the introduction Of all
the vices incident to civilization, and then
punish the Indians for pursuing the advice
and following the example Of these outlaws
from society. What change OF policy is
necessary to remedy the evils complained
OF is now the paramount; question.
The IR6e3endsnt need have no fear, We
think, that the President will suffer the
treaties TO be infringed. He will gard the
vested rights Of the Indian tribes with the
same degree Of jealousy that character!zes
his administration of cur foreign policy.
But there are many new questions with re-
gard TO a radical change in our treatment
Of the Indians, to some Of which we have
made allusiOn above, that must soon cUme
W for adjustment. The area Of our Indian
country Is now contracted into such a space
as to admit Of some intelligent estimate OF
their numbers, character and CONDITION 1t
is clear that as civilization advances 1t must
soon absorb them within its fU.ts or result