The New York herald., 1874-08-24
Hostile Indians Reported on the
Verge of Starvation.
A Civilized Chickasaw on the
Government Policy.
THE "sTRoNGHAND" WANTED.

the chief civil Off1cer OF the Chickasaw Nation Of
peaceful. friendly and civilized Indians This was
rendered the more advisable because from long
experience. lasting over thirty years. with great
familiarity In everything pertaining to the Indians,
wild and civilized, Governor Harris was found to
be preemlnently one Of those excellent authorities
from whom much light and information could
be gained in the direction OF the HERALD's
desire 70 obtain all the facts calculated
to solve the knotty Indian problem which
thus far has defeated the wisdom and ability Of
the lawmakers ana the executive departments
at Washington. Strangely enough he was in
favor OF one OF the propositions suggested by the
HERALD 10 General Sheridan as means OF reach
ing the desired end OF o peaceful yet enectual
subectiOn of the Indians to the arts of peace and
civilization. En- passant let me give q general
idea OF who and what the Governor of the Chicka-
saw Nation Is In the first place, he is the chief
executive Oflcer Of his people, elected by their
SURFACES. according to well dgested constitu-
tion Tor the term Of two years. This event has
occurred to him five consecutive times, and for the
last ten years he has successfully presided over
the destnies OF his people in o manner which is
alike wise conservative and beneficial. He is
now nny-stx years OF age, active and well
preserved, having led a life Of industry
and labor since boy, which has eliminated
in very decent competency and tho
surroundings OF agricultural success, crowned
by the raising Of splendid family Of five
girls and three boys, one Of the latter OF whom Is
splendid specimen of the genuine Thoroughbred
indian beauty which would have charmed Feni-
more cooper or sprague. The girls all are beau
tlful, aud AS fne hOusekeepers and iarm wives as
a connecticut Yankee could demand. Governor
Harris Is exceedingly well informed on all sub
jects,
very logical and conservative In mis- views, speak
equally well and posted up in the treaty and con-
stitutional laws as also in knowledge OF the de-
IN es Is sesss
lon lon Or Snicis, expression: @ NY NY first meet, % e
dawn this morning, when he came gleefuly
skipping INTO the courtyard fronting his mansion,
barrow loaded with grain just Drought from his
mill Q few hundred yards below, to iced his stock
Ing heartily as he Stopped rI% at something upon
winch he had been renecting, and when he put
down his load caeer1y your correspondent asked
was that so exercised him as to iniuse into his
physical such large amount Of the
face to gentle grimace, through which peered
his twins fling, merry. black swapping eyes, his fine
of by gray thinnsh, full beard he said, rapid,
joyous tones, why, in fifteen days more I'll be
great i.SS deal better than being Governor" why,
here's
A MODERN CINCINNArUS,
thought your correspondent, and hence ''we'n
have no more OF him." Waiting until he had
quietly seated himself for rest on a chair, whose
bottom was made OF the skin of a deer In terwOven
latticeke, the HERALD Intervening process was
begun on the Indian question, and In this case, as
win silent Presidents, taciturn senators ana mo-
rosey sulen Cabinet officers, the result proved
success, but with much less dlfliculty. 1t evolved
the Governors views fully and candidly as to the
AN INDIANS POLICY FOR HIS PEOPLE.
In reply 10 the question: ''What do you think Is
the most proper and enicacious method of bring
ing the troublesome and dangerous Indians under
"Wny, there are two plans. according to my
conviction and knowledge OF their nature. The
first Is to take away all their wives children and
limits of civilization, upon pubic or governments
grounds You have to support them on the Plains
you u would only be at the same expense at any
other place to which they may be removed. This
action would to great extent intimidate and awe
the young braves and warriors, and they would
not be SO willing to 60 on the warpath without
their women. Besides this, it would set them to
behavior. and the prospect Of being forever sepa-
rated from the only element OF life they are strongly
Wond n aso so prostrSe and msn sm Ss
such AN overwhelming and irresistible argument
as to make them feel through the strong voice OF
| nature that they must behave themselves, and
| act according to the requirements OF the law.
After ateE years, \ thought advisable ana the
| conduct OF the wild Indians warranted 1t, the
females and children could be restored to them,
but not until they had become convinced that the
government was IN downright earnest and meant
"Another way to subdue the Indians" said the
Governor as he assumed an air OF determination,
! be to give them first rate, thorough thrashing,
| and make them understand, that what they now
e whites 90 ana
| on their part After this they could be kept In
fear and quiet But the policy Of
THE PEACE COMMISSIONERS
and Quakers, while 1t Is good SO Iar as intention
goes, is o simple abuse, and misleading Of the In
dian because II encourages him to believe that he
is alV ays to be prOptiated In order to secure his
| friendship and good behavior, and that he may
transgress with impunity because he VIII be for.
| given and shielded by them Congress does not
seem to understand the Indian question at all, and
1t seems Ii their motive for action had nothing
robbing from the Indian and to enable rings to get
| up big Steals. The Indian Is sensible man. and
| VACANT and liberal promises are made to him by
these peace commissioners and agents in order to
secure safety to themselves and good will from
\ him-which promises are not fulfilled In whole or
in part-such course only exasperates him and
makes him lose all confidence IN the white man,
what looks to the Indian as bad faith. IL Is ali nom
sense ever to expect II to be possible TO- reduce
the wild Indian to state Of CIVILIZATION He may
making HIM work ior his own sustenance, but pro-
vision should be made to give him permission, at
grounds, exacting guarantees rom the chiefs Of
principal men OF tribe thus allowed to 60 on
the place Of mis- restraint. The hunt is part Of
| their nature and must be borne in mind. The
Quakers and gentlemen Of the Peace Commission
| can accomplish nothing until the wild Indians
have reached the process OF transition from their
| natural tastes to the condition of forming others
strong power able to keep them In cneck."
Considering that these expressions are from q
& common feeling OF friendness and good will for
| them, they are entitled to high respect and seem
] 10 be worthy Of RECOGNITION In the HsRALD's dag.