The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-06-18

OuL 10 tue oucnOef6.
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RESzGNATION OF TFE INDIAN
COMMA8SaoNEk8S.
The Board of Indian Commissioners have
resigned their Offices, giving as their reason
for this action their dissatisfaction with the
law which subjects them TO the control Of
the Interior Department. They express con-
tidence IN the wisdom and in the ultimate
success Of the peace policy, and do not
think that the humane and Just treatment
of the Indians generally should be con-
demned because Of the evil deeds Of some
Of the savages and the necessity Of punish-
ing them. The retiring commissioners have
not much to say in relation to the corrup-
tiuns Of the Indian Bureau, but they express
the opinion that ''with proper organization
It is possible % secure at least as great de-
gree Of honesty in Indian affairs as il any
other department Of the government THIS
IS not saying much, but We doubt it-Nelc
York Herald
The above conveys the most gratifying in
formation. II any plan could be adopted
to get rid Of the whole batch OF vampires
who have fatsened on the public treasury
and grown rich at the expense Of thousands
Of precious lives and untold suiferings, it
would be equivalent to a settlement Of the
whole question. But just so long as the
rings which have had control Of Indian
affairs see chance to steal from the govern
ment just solong viii the border settlements
be made to feel the savageism Of the red
man. The Interior Department Must be in
healthy condition; its affairs must be
managed honestly and fairly--or else the
commissioners would not object to being
subject to its control Peace, all will ad-
NIT, is great blessing; but the peace pol
icy of the commissioners has been the prime
cause of the nunlberless murders and
thieYing raids Of the Indians into the From
tier counties of Texas; aud the Quaker
agents, who have been so sensitive for the
liberty and humnne treatment of the. In
dians, have grown rich of of the trailic
carried on by them for stolen property. As
the receiver Of stolen goSds IS consid-
cred as bad as tho thief, these agents de-
serve the execration of all intelligent
white citizens. It is very great rity
that Congress does not appoint commits
sion composed Of the most ~ igent men-
bers of that body, to 60 out upon the from
tier and into the Territories and inquire into
and investigate the conduct and character
of the Indians agents the amount Of money or
goods received; when and where, and for
what; whether on account Of ammunition
or for chattels, and, if so, in what it con-
sisted. That body has made 1t rule to In
vestigate alleged wrong conduct outside Of
Congress, and that, too. in many cases
which did not require it. But the manage
ment of the Indian policy is one which,
above all others, demands a full and
impartial overhauling in all of its bearings
and relations. There is no doubt that such
commission could unearth vast amount
of rascality, in various ways, but all for the
purpose of making money out of the Indian
regardless of the means which were used to
obtain the profits. But it is simply an out
rage upon good government to permit such
deeds to be done over and over again.
There is absolutely no redress for the hardy
pioneer, who has left behind him the pro-
lection of the law and the benefits Of So
ciety, and is engaged in blazing the way
for homes and happiness for future genera
tions. BE and his family suffer in many
respects; but he is willing to endure the
hardships which are incident to a frontier
life. If these were all, bis bold spirit and
habit of confronting danger, would laugh at
the situation. But when, after enduring
all of these, he sees a parcel of men, who
are in the employment Of the government,
actually encouraging the blood-thirsty saw
ages to steal and murder in order that their
purses may be filed, he feels that his case
and that of the dear ones around him is
well nigh hopeless. The government win
not heed the appeals for help and deliver
ance. The cry for protection is treated IS
Of no consequence. Not only the savagcs
of the Territories, but the faithless Mexicans
unite together in their blood-thirsty and
thieving raids. Old men and maidens are
treated like the wild animals Of the forest
are shot down or brutally beaten, manned
and otherwise terribly abused--perhaps car
ried into captivity.
But what matters tito those miserable mis-
nOmers Of men at Washington that these
things are truoi They feel that others are
not 90 gOod-that they are made Of com
mon dirt and answer very well for play
things for the Indians and Mexicans, 50
long as they can get money and enjoy the
Injuries and vices Of the capital. It ia
enough to make mea do something desper-
ate But still they forbear and hope
against hOpe-hope that at last the truth
win be listened to and such policy adopted
as win give ample protection and security
to life and properly.
We trust that the preamble and resolu-
tions, presented to the House By 1lr. Han
cock on the tenth instant, in relation to
depredations on the Mexican border, win
have the effect Of turning inquiry to the
real condition Of the frontier, and that
some Of the schemes and infamous prac-
tices which have had full sway win be
found out and exposed; and that the pro-
per steps may be taken TO give all necessary
protection to the people on the border
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