The New York herald., 1874-08-15


cnces OF opinion to the best plan OF jurisdiction
over or Tor them have arisen mainly since the
eforts have been inaugurated by various huma nj
tarans among the religious sects, and principally
those known as Quakers. Without violating the
seifsuf1ciency and reliance which these people
have seemed 10 feel from the start in the eflcacy
OF their plan, IL Is needless say that thus far /.
has proved a sturendous failure, Notwithstanding d q Q
General Grant has afforded every facil or the
success OF the promising but costly experiment,
wnicn mas resulted IN an additional outlay by the
government amounting to hundreds OF thousands
both IN the expenses incurred py the transperta-
ton OF these so-called Indian commissioners and
their attaches as well as in the subsequently, re-
quired movements OF the army, which are brought
about by the "wheedling systemn practised upon
the Indian oy agents, thus resulting In creating
condition OF war rather than one OF peace and
conciaion, which the humanitarians set out 10
erect. But as well might they expect to play
unharmed with hali-grown panther as
to expect that the Indian is TO be
Influenced by their dawdling. No matter what
may be said for these praiseworthy gentlemen,
however well tntentioned their efforts NAV be, as
they truly are, combined with the peace policy OF
PRESIDENT Grant, which owing to the nature OF the
Indian has proved failure, yet the fact STANDS
out that these Commissioners and all their associ-
SSSS 70
more. any practical way OF solving the Indian
policy. For while 1t cannot fairly be said that 1t is
Of national importance, yet 1t Is o national ques-
ton inasmuch as the Indians are wards or the
nation. and we are bound TO afford them protec-
tlon as well TO punish them, within the spirit and
application OF the law, for wrongdong and trans
gressions upon it. We are, moreover, bound TO
protect the glorious pioneer white man, who,
whether as farmer, miner or mechanic, punges out
with sturdy stroke carried by the tide OF
surgng westward aud takes his position as a Tree
man upon the broad praries of the West or among
the treasure laden mountains which stand
as sentinels above them. We must anord them
security while We a.so guard the Indiad in his
rights, even as We would those OF the c0ored man,
about which latter We are and have been exercised
almost to convulsions at times. Truly the Indian
deserves that much at our hands. lor Is he not Of
the aboriginal race OF this land, the very preemp-
tional owner OF the soil, taken from him under
form and color OF law and In the sainted name Of
civilization.
THE INDIAN QUESTION NATIONAL.
This. then, 10 o national question, because 1t
Affects national welfare; and hence 1t becomes
our legislators to apply the remedies required in
Straightforward way, aud to strengthen the hands
OF those who properly can adjust this very i'm.
portant matter. 1t has been said that the Peace
Commissioners do not understand this subject,
and 1t Is 40. The revolving murder OF that noble
soldier, General Candy, and the Modoo war prove
It. But the army 90 understand 1t, and know all
about the Indians, because they have been among
them for nearly half century, and the record OF
their management while under the care and
pervlson OF the army are proof OF 1t. Should not
an onicer who first went on the plains thirty years
ago, and has variously lived among and watched
them during the interim, be much more familiar
with their every requirement. than the divinity
professor and student, who argue their premises
and conclusions from the abstract In their sale
and FROM the code OF good will to all
menf" There Is practical as we'll as theoretical
treatment to be adopted; and while 1t Is no part
3f the duty Of your correspondent to take sides
with either the church OF army people In this
In which the poor Indian has suf
cred, yet the truth, with the facts, must be
told in order that with the ventilation OF the
whole thing, and the exposure OF the under
ying evils which are wormed into 1t, the
HERALD may be the means Of solving the din.
Guilty, and give to our legislators. as we'll as
divines and army people, the true light and inlor.
nation which win lead them in cooperating to ac-
complish that end. whoever Will take up ana
read the work known as "The Rise and Progress
OF the British Power in lndia," by Peter Auber,
late Secretary to the Directors OF the East India
Company, win not have failed to observe in how
many respects the experience OF that company in
managing the natives or Sepoys resembles our
own with the Indians. He will also discover that
there are methods founded In nrmness, discipline
and justice which make OF an otherwise danger
Gus and troublesome foe an ally OF Importance
and an instrumcntality OF great good. Kindred
with this work will be found as instructive to our
'.Retros3ects and Prospects OF Indian
% n "a Madr
Stan Corps, and author OF the Empire in India
ana the Mysore Reversion," equally instructive
historical works upon the treatment OF the natives
In The interests Of civilization and their own
Likewise might be taken up
with profit Mr.. ]. B. Norton's rebellion
In India" and "Topics ior Indian States.
men," The lessons OF experience may be
applied as we'll by nations as individuals, and in
the science OF government, which, alter ALL Is only
what Ia matured by precept, example and expert
ment controlled by observation OF the benefits
accruing thererom, that they may with equal
be secured to those who initiate and iol.
low as those who plan out and lead. AS perhaps
your correspondent may have occasion hereafter
to refer more in detal to the historical view of the
case these landmarks VIII for the present be dis
missed. to be taken up ID q succeeding communi-
cation from the field, where present facts can be
more ftly with past examples Sufnce
It to say that the eventlul occurrences which are
IN the Indians future Will be likely to
settle for all time by their decisveness the pre-
tensions o this savage race and cause the 'ast Of
the Mohicans,n like his fathers, TO fall into the
grooves ol civilization and 10 learn raising corn
AID industrial pursuits like his white brother,
who receives Iavor IRON the law but must
work, beg or starve. The day is not far distant
wnen the last actual field war whoop will be heard,
and, with President Grant, the Indian Will be
obliged to chime in and say, "Let Us have peace"
The indian question Will gravitate to its settle
me mt aud be sc tied forever.