The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-02-19

that the Indian policy Of the country has not
been -Asaaged either RisslY y or pludently.
Between sickly sentimentality on one side
and a brutal reaction on the other. no bene-
6ciaI rtsalss haselAeen a1ldeved. MSththe
millions .Of-dollars that have been expens
ded, the frontier is yet undefended.
Raids, rObberies and outrages continue to
take place; the Indian remains in his barbar-
ism; and under that feeling of insecurity
which arises from such a state Of affairs
population has been retarded, and that ad-
Vancement IN enterprise and civilization so
much desired has made but little progress.
This is lanentable. It is unworthy Of the
age and of country vast in its resources
and Boosting Of its philanthropy.
We do not propose, at present, to review
the course that has been pursued, in which
Ignorance, cupidity and meanness have
played 50 conspicuous part. But the fact
that the Federal government, which for the
last eight years has been in the
hands of dishonest and an unscrupulous
body of men, has rendered it obligatory
upon the government of Texas to institute
measures for the protection of its own clti-
zens, It becomes important that the means
devised should be maturely and wisely con-
sidered. This is rendered essential from
our limited resources which have been
greatly decreased by four years of mal-ad-
ministration.
It is a notorious fact, which all men who
have studied the Indian policy will recog-
nize, that the money expended by the State
government has not accomplished the re-
suits anticipated. Our principal object at
present, is to invoke reflection, and to an
yite the counsels of Others who have de
voted attention to this subject. We pub
lished a communication few days ago, and
now, in that spirit, we give place to the
subjuined letter to Gov. Coke. It is pub
hshed at our solicitation, because we wish
not only the Governor, but the Legislature,
to gravely and profoundly consider sub
ject of such importance to our growing
country. 20 o
AVENUE HOTEL, I
AUSTIN, February 16, 1874.
To his ExceHcncy, Gov. Richard Coke:
Dear Sir-Herewith, I-have the honor of
calling your attention to communication
in the DEMOCRATIC STATESMAN of the four
teenth instant, embodying my views relative
to the system that should be adopted to
give that protection to the frontier it has so
long suffered for, and so much needs.
am lead to address you on this subject
from the fact that moved in 1852 to what
is now Wise county, at that time unorgan
lied and belonging to the Denton land dis
trict, living there up to the breaking out of
the war in 1851, at which time entered the
army, remaining during the struggle. Dur
ing my residence on the frontier, self-pro-
lection from the frequent and bloody incur
sions of Indians made me not only familiar
with their habits, but it also gives me, per-
haps, as correct an idea of the needs of the
frontier for actual protection as any one.
This the bill, as engrossed by the House of
Representatives last week, have no hesita-
ton in saying, cannot accomplish, and it
will be difficult to get the frontier people
out of the old ruts of separate and distinct
military organizations, or their Representa-
tives to see the advantage to result from
change to strictly military organization.
The reasons for this which occur to me are
these: Each county desires to control its
own organization or company, without be-
ing subjected to orders from general officers;
then there has always existed feeling of jeal-
ously on the part of captains of companies,
to act conformity when the necessity oc-
ours (Which frequently has occurred) for
two or more companies to act together
against the common enemy, for the pro-
lection of the lives and property of the
frontiersman; and if the history Of. the past
is any criterion by which to Judge of the
future, there will not be captain III any of
the companies to be raised, according to the
bill above cited, who will not claim senior
ity of rank. This jealousy has occasioned
several personal encounters between aspi-
rants for command, and always at time
when harmony and promptness of action
were imperatively demanded. Appropria-
tions of money for frontier defense. unless
based on rigid military discipline is worse
than useless. Under the bill above cited
each commander of Accompany would know
he would not be responsible to any one for
his acts or movements, he could issue his
own orders, give furlOughs, which, if not
granted, would be taken anyhow make
out his own muster rolls, and vouchers for
quartermaster and commissary supplies, and
report full companies on actual and con-
slant duty-often, perhaps, including extra
men for extraordinary service. What is the
result9 The State must pay these certified
vouchers without knowing that such SER
vice has been rendered or such stores pur-
chased and consumed. asl
If the provisions of this bin are carried
out, there are not less than seventy coun-
41,, foA hos ffrhf
to raise company of fifty men, thus giving
an army of thirty-fve hundred troops at
an annual cost to the State of three million
dollars It occurs TO me if the frontier
is sufficiently populOus to spare this large
amount of men from their ordinary voca-
tons, it is self-evident that it is sufficiently
we'll populated to take care of itself With
out extraneous aid But we know this not
to be the case. n osis & - ros31s
If then regiment is raised and recruited
from the populons portions of the State,
each company creates a market for the sur
plus produce of the farmers in the sec
ton in which it is located, adds Just
that number to the thinly populated dis
trict; besides giving the frontlersman that
protection ne really needs--the opportunity
of staying at rome and attending to his
duties, with a feeling of security he has
4.
never yet enjoyed.
Increase in the value Of land is invaluable
evidence Of the improvement Of any locality.
Nearly twenty-five years ago. purchasedin
Wisel county, on the West Fork of Trinity
river, some two thousand acres of land, and,
notwithstanding it is rich soil and good
grazing country, with several well developed
coal veins on it, that land cannot to-day be
sold for more than its cost to me then. The
conclusion then is inevitable that immigTa-
ton will not seek a locality, however IA
vored by nature, unless protection to life
and property be secured to them. Such
facts must be conclusive to every ono, that
unattached and irresponsible military COM
Fpanies are not what the frontier needs; that
they should be abandoned, and policy in
augurated that viii give peace to our bOr-
ders and protection to our citizens.
Very respectfully yours,
H. S. WOODWARD.
oFor,. n. NJ. HHoore ON fr,s Conef1fuffonaI