The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-25

Il
would be reflection upon human nature TO
\ suppose that there could be any motive but
one Of humanity and kindness in dealing with
these interesting and unfortunate people. No
one supposes that the general government -
\ IN any way responsible for the misfortunes
that have befallen the Indian tribes, but at
the same time those who have governed the
country should be held to moral response
bility for neglectlng a manifest duty and pro-
noting the growth Of those criminal iniu-
ences which have made the treatment OF the
Indian question reproach upon the Ameri-
/ can name AT the same time it is unfortunate
that the administration, IN dealing with the
Indians in Washington, should have allowed
the impression to 60 abroad that there was an
attempt to stife, on the part of the govern
ment, the Sioux chiefs and prevent ex-
preston of the truth as to the real
state of affairs in the Indian country.
/ While we have abundant confidence in the
generosity of General Grant on this question
we have none whatever ia the direct manage
meLt Of the Indian Department Il is, there
fore, misfortune for the President when he
.
them in a manner whether properly reported
or not, that appeared like indifference. IN
stead Of turning them over 70 tho Indian De-
partment which now stands arraigned before
the people for incompetency and corruption,
4 the President should have carefully listened
to the stories OF the Indians and given them
the best advice in his power and shown by
I 70 no trutb ~ Ia
charges that he would not allow any one,
gentle or savage, Christian or pagan, to appeal
10 the White House and ask for justice in
vain. We have no doubt that if this Indian
question is thoroughly probsd there will be
found in it a mass Of corruption as depressing
and widespread as was found in the Tammany
Ring. Men for generations have been grow
ing rich by plundering the Indian tribes, the
benefactions of the government have been
squandered and its highest purposes have
been disappointed. The country will not be
contented unless it sees on the part Of the
President desire to honestly investigate the
complaints Of Red Cloud and his companions.
We have seen no such desire thus far, but on
the contrary, all the indications from Wash
ington are that the Indians and the interpre-
tiers have fallen into the hands Of the cunning
ring who have so long paralyzed the efforts OF
the government to do justice to the Indian
tribes
The whole Indian question is one that con-
cerns not simply the administration OF the
government or the success of any party in
power, but the honor Of the American name.
These simple, ignorant savage chiefs represent
all the power that once held this Continent.
Their sorrows 90 back to the coming Of the
white tnan to this Continent. Red Cloud does
not speak Tor himself alone, or for the tribe
which represents the departed glory Of the
Indian race, but their misfortunes and disas-
tiers. The Sioux may fairly be considered as
the last remaining remnant Of the race who
4 once controlled the dominions Of this Repub-
\ lie. There are hundreds Of other tribes
within the jurisdiction Of Mexico and British
America and the United States; but different
influences have diminished their prestige.
The Sioux only retain the power that repre-
sents history we honor in Philip and Logan
and Black Hawk and Tecumseh They
have only been slightly affected by
the debasing influences Of civilization.
II is one Of the misfortunes Of this Indian
problem that the civilization of the white
man has brought destruction to the Indians
The other tribes are dying fragments Of In
dian glory, Thsy no longer possess the high
est qualities OF the red mans character. In
California, il Texas, in the various Territories
Of the West, the remaining Indian tribes are
little more than q satire upon the old Indian
character The Sioux are an exception. In
dealing with chief like Red Cloud, so far as
our information goes, We deal with a man
who Is worthy to be remembered with the
greatest Of tie Indian chiefs When be came
to Washington Some years ago it was as an
enemy 81 the white man who did not believe
in the real power Of tie American people.
That visit changed his opinions. It showed
him the futility Of cherishing any Of those
dreams Of empire which drove Tecumsen
ana Black Hawk upon swift and irrevocable
fate Since then Red Cloud, 80 far as We
can understand his policy, has been in favor
Of peace, of accepting the inevitable, and Of
making such terms for himself and his people
as would permit them 70 occupy reservations
and work out the sad problem Of their late
with as little injustice 70 themselves as pos
sibe.
What, then, is our duty in dealing with the
Indians? We certainly cannot expect to
make honorable terms with these chiefs if we
begin BY rousing their suspicious and wound
ing their pride These stories Of petty quar-
rels between the subordinates Of the Indian
Department and eager tavern keepers on the
\ question Of board and lodging are unseemly.
The Indians are suspicious Of the general
government. They have weird, timid idea
that the President who is the Great Father Of
their homely dialect, who represents to them
the dignity and wisdom Of the dominant race