The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-01
General Cussaf On the Sioux Indlan
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aDan0Oned the project there outlined.
WHAT LIS DETERMINED.
will repeat, Says Gen. Custer, that it is the
determination OF the government and OF every
to labor faithfully in protecting the Indians in
their undoubted right, at present, to that por-
ton Of the Black Hills included in the treaty.
l know that some of the-and particularly
some of the prominent-officers are strongly
in favor of throwing open the country to the
settlers and Of procuring the cancellation of
the Indian title. Yet SO long as the title rests
in the Indian, as it does now, they will use
every effort to prevent trespassers from inter-
fering with their property. l know that Gen.
Sheridan, personally tavors the opening OF the
Black Hills when it can be done legally. But
GENERAL TERRY,
who is the department commander, is Supposed
to it, and he bases his arguments OH very con-
scientious grounds. He was member of the
composed of members OF both branches of Con-
gress, few prominent citizens and three OF
the general officers Of the army. He, being a
party to that treaty, Is familiar with the
reasons which governed the commission in SET
2ing aside the territory for the use of the Ia
dams. He thinks that now it would be a
breach of good faith on the part of the govern
ment to induce or make them move from this
reservation: He is even opposed to buying it
unless the Indians voluntarily come forward
and offer to sell it. A further reason which he
gives is that the present policy Of the govern
ment is to INDUCE them to support themselves
and engage in tilling the soil: The reserva-
lions located on the Missouri river are uniavor-
able for agriculture. One year the drought
ruins the crops and the next the grasshoppers
1devour them, so that even skilled white labor
would be discouraged. But the Black Hills.
SO far as we know, are subject to neither
droughts, foods nor grasshoppers, and if the
the Indians it must be done bY
placmgthem where they can have the advan-
tages Of soil and climate and other natural
means OF making livelihood, and not by put
ting them on ground where no white farmer
would stay. Gen. Terry IS one OF the most
conscientious men ever knew. and he is a
man who has made the Indian question a
the frontier for many years and is familiar with
the terms of this treaty. He says that it ex-
pressly states that the Black Hills shall be a
permanent home for them. He thinks that
they should never be deprived of it without
their express consent by vote of three fourths
OF all the male members Of the tribe. and he
thinks that even if those who go to Washing
ton should agree to part with the reservation,
an act OF Congress would be required to make
it a strictly legal proceeding. The Indians
have no better friend than Gen. Terry. When
say friend, mean a man that will see that
they are justly dealt with.
THE PRESIDENTS POLICY
know that he has attempted policy that
has been very successful It is, to first make
aggressive war on the Indians and establish
the authority of the government, and, having
once subdued them, 10 locate them on reserva2
tons, showing them that they will be required
to stay there. Having done this, he would
then encourage them in the art of agriculture
The Indians have inclined toward this plan
and the results have been satisfactory.
RELIEF FOR INDIANS REJECTED
have an officer at the Stony Rock Agency
who reports the condition of affairs. For the
last tw months the Indians there have been
reduced to actual want and suffering. My at
tention was called to this officially, and on in
vestigaation ! found that, although bountifal
provisions lad been made by the government,
the supplies were about exhausted. 1t was
winter, and the agency is 100 miles from the
depot of supplies, with no means of trans
portation until the opening of spring
navigation. telegraphed to General
Terry describing the suherings and inability
that had surplus of provisions, and recon-
mended that 1 be authorized to turn over
enough to keep them from starving until the
Indian Department could get supplies Gen.
Terry approved, the proposition was transmit
ted through the War Department to the Sec
rotary of the Interior, and thence to the Com
missioner of Indian Affairs but the provisions
were declined, with the information that the
department would get them through it's own
agents. After this | learned that the Indians
were living upon their ponies, and it is on
record tina they have actually died of starva-
ton. Imagined that our provisions were re-
fused because the Indian Department feared
dence OF its inefficiency; and as an argument
in favor OF transferring the management of he
Indians to the War Department., where, in my
opinion, it properly belongs.
THE AVERAGE INDIAN AGENT.
Reporter. Do you think the Indian Depart
General Custer. would not like to say so Of
the whole department. 1t is not fair to Judge
it by some Of its agents.
. Reporter. What is the general character Of
the average Indian agent2
best by quoting an Indian Chief: He asked
me to see the Great Father and make state
ment of their wrongs. l said l would do all
in his favor possible, and perhaps tn. govern
ment would send new agent. "No," said
the Chief, 1--WE don't want a new agent. Agents
come here poor and get rich in a few years.
This man has everything he wants. If new
one comes we will have to make. him rich
also" l explained, saying that the Great
Father tried to select good men. He replied
warmly, tThey may lie good men " hen they
leave Washington, but when they get here
they are all dam rascals." l do not believe
that the indian derives anything like the full
benefit of the supplies sent out by the govern
ment.
INDIAN LOVE OF COUNTRY.
One reason why the British and Mormons
have so little trouble with the savages is, they
do not encroach on their territories as rapidly
as we do. They 10 not require them to be
constantly moving They buy, and are slow
to extend their boundaries. Tie Indians have
a strong attachment for the land containing
the boues of their ancestors, and dislike to
leave it. Love of country is almost religion