Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1875-06-02
Grants Indian Talk.


Grants Indian Talk.
The report of the important con-
ference of the President with the
Indian chiefs now ut Washington
was printed in the Tribune yester-
day. We must do Gen. Grant the
justice to say that his talk was
manly, sensible and pratical. The
chiefs have frequently declared
that before they leave Washington
this time they are going to know
where they stood with the govern
ment. The President gave them
to understand very plainly what
their real position is, and If his
speech does not lead them to abate
their arrogance somewhat, then they
are not amendable to reason, and
should be dealt with for the best
good Of the whole country, with
out regard to their own wishes.
1t seems that the government is
not now bound by the treaty to
furnish the Indians with food, that
portion of the treaty having ex-
pired by limitation two years ago
and the provisions sent the Indians
since then have been simply gratui-
ties. If the supplies of food were
withheld the Indians would neces-
sarily starve in their present homes.
The President therefore proposes
that they should give up the
country they now occupy and move
southwark probably into Indian
territory where they would be in
easier reach of supplies, and teach
ers could be sent among them to
instruct them in the art of civiliza-
ton and means of self support.
The whites, the President said,
were increasing so rapidly in num-
Der that it will soon be impossible
to fix any point within the limits
of our country where they can be
prevented from going. 1t will be-
come necessary that the whites
shall go from one place to another,
whether occupied by Indians or
not, the same as they now go from
one State to another.
This embraces the whole idea, so
often suggested by the Tribune and
other journals, that the Indians be
on a reservation of extent |
sufficient for their actual needs and
set at work to earn their own liv-
ng. Government might then af-
ord to guarantee their support
Until they became self-supporting.
\ Gordon of troops could be drawn
lround the reservations, and out
Freaks prevented at much less ex-
,ense than that at which the whole
vast extent of the Indian country
s now garrisoned. A great saving
would also be made in cost Of
transportation of supplies. This
8 the only Indian policy that can be
made satisfactory and successful,
md the one we must come to SOON
n or later. We are rejoiced to
ee that the President has adopted
md recommend It.
We notice that the Indian coents
charged with swindling, plead thu
act that the supplies furnished the
indians are gratuities as an excuse
or the speculations. So far as
hey are concerned, it matters not
the Indian supplies are
,ratuities or payment under treat
es. If they are gratuities to the
indians, they belong to the Indians
nd not to the agents, and the
gents have no more right to steal
hem in the one case than in the
ther. Whatever arrangements
re made with the savages, precau-
ions ought to be taken against the
Of the agents. The chiefs
lemand that whatever moneys are
appropriated for their use, be
,laced in the bank at Washington
o their credit, and they be allowed
o draw from it as they wish, and
make their own purchased of food
nd supplies. This demand seems
lot unreasonable and ought to be
granted, if any more money is
- Ran Gin Tribune