The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-04-02
IooMMUNIcATED.l
indian Aahirs.

Editors Democratic atesman-Though
not much in the habit Of attempting to en-
tighten the public, feel, after reading your
editorial this morning, disposed to say
few wordson that much written about but
little understood subject, Indian relations.
The great trouble in trying to educate the
public to the standard Of truth on this sub
ject is, that an imaginary Indian, whose
whole moral nature is founded on the mag
ination of Cooper (whose early life was
passed at sea- and many other writers of
fiction, These ideas iinbibed in youth, are
rarely, if ever entirely eradieated, and only
by the positive evidence, such as unfOrtu-
nately our frontier people have in album
dance.
We have heard in Congress and out of
Congress, time and again, anathemas called
down on the heads of those who would
drive the poor Indian from the graves of his
fathers, who would wrest from him his hunt
ing grounds and Smany oriental speeches
have been put in his mouth on the same
subject. Now let as examine this question
of title to lands and il will be found to be
''that good old rule, that simple plan, let
him take who has the power, let him keep
who can" Such indeed is and has been
the only recognized title amongst the In
dians themselves. White men have always
been more considerata to them than they to-
each other. Penn's trade was an easy one
because he bought Of q people whose title
had passed toa stronger power, viz. To the
Six Nations, TO whom they were in fact
vassals. They knew they were getting
good bargain in selling what they could not
keep, and getting protection in rights they
did not possess.
~ Al. y.
inc titles, it is in the memory of many now
living, when the Pawnees owned the whole
frontier from high up on the Missouri river
10 Red river. Their title. could now be
bought cheap, for they are now dependent
on the whites for their very existence. Such
Is the history Of most If not all Indian titles,
such Is the tenure by which they held their
hunting grounds and the ''graves of their
ancestors
Should the public ever become convinced
Of these facts they would then be IN a con
dition 20 deal properly and justly with
them. II is neither one nor the other tC
pay them large sums of money, the posses
sion AZ which adds little or nothing t.
their real welfare, but makes them it sub
iects to debauch and plumber.
The reserve system IS the best that ha!
vet been devised. II, in the first place,
measures win be taken to convince tn,
Indians Of the overwhelming power OF the
white men, which, rs strange as it may ap
pear 10 some, they do not understand, il
must be recollected that they do not read
the papers, they do not study statistics
!. and when q slight attempt has been mad,
10 enlighten them by sending thei
chiefs and principal men on tours through
the cities and towns Of the United States
Il has resulted that these chiefs and princi
pal men have lost all influence with thei
people, been degraded from their position
and ever after looked upon with dislrust b,
their once trusting people. When, ate
their return, they related the strange sight
they had seen, the circle around them woul'
gradually widen, and some old man or wo
man would announce that the whites ha,
bewitChed them tOniake them say what the.
pleased. This is, not fancy, but has beef
related 10 the writer BY half-hreed interpre
ters ID the same spirit they saw the rusl
ecross the plains IN 20 to the gold fields o
California. At frst they were somewha
astonished at the fasl number of whites, bu
finally they detected, or thought they did
the same man passing more than once
Then they understood il an; It was a tricl
to deceive them. The white men wer
gong N4CA ~ et.ltt to0tt OuAtfVNh ~ ttlcu
and thus passing repeatedly for the purpos
Of conveying false impression Of strength
Indians, when they see large force witt
but little plumber, VIII not attack, ever
though they may Be strong enough - do s.
with succoss, they calculate risks closely
and think, 81 they can be fully convinced
AZ the great dispsrity 81 strength betwee'
the whites and themselves We would hayl
no more Indian wars. Then the. question
arises. how shel they IS 50 convinced
They win not helieVe their own peopt
when sent 70 spy out the land. We mus
either send the hliians, cid and yoUng, &
ieee for themselves or we mus send enough
force al one time 70 eonvince them that W
are nos marching IN circle. Now. Mr.
EditOr, / have 9 scheme that viii ia IN
case. propose that Cngress shall auiho
ri1e. and TIE Prcsident invite, volunsce
regiments from an parts IL the Unite,
States to spend The Foaffh 81 July az Vel
low Stone Park, giving Inducements in n
war 81 transportation and supplies. tn
number AZ armed men lAak would talye "a
vanlaao of the Opportunity to see that won
dcrful country the numhor who wonl
ssosk % improve their health BY IN excui
sioa Is that heaithicst part Of the world
woold nt elcA al orlay 81 hnuhefs 4
wonla n4incs al bnt the blind Il "a
fufilify Of 4 coiitest with people d II
strength exh;hitad % them. This Wool
nos aIIea or border Immediately, but
Would. Il successful, hbente some Of q
troops nop Necessary theIe for the prote'
ton of our heriler. +. IL