The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-04
The Indian Frauds in the Northwest.

ceedings in the Indian country which have
attracted the attention of the authorities in
Washington One of the misfortunes Of ex-
tended governments is that the people are
only apt TO think of affairs about their own
vicnage and neglect distant interests or
matters in which they have only relative
concern. citizen of Peoria or Baton Rouge
is naturally enough more concerned in the
burning of the Town Hall than in the French
or German wars. He would be much
offended if his local newspaper did not give
more space to narrative OF the domestic
event than to the battle of Sedan. He may
have a sentiment about Sedan, but the fire
is a matter that affects his daily life. One of
the complaints Of the reformers in
the British Parliament is that they
cannot induce the members to take
interest in any questions outside of
England The Irish members can hardly
have hearing upon purely Irish questions
The Scottish members discuss Scottish ques-
tions to none but Scotchmen, while the dis
cussion of Indian matters in a House of
Commons is only a form. Beyond general
pride in the Indian Empire as "a jewel in
the British crown" and natural business
desire that the revenues should not be dis
turbed, the members Of Parliament look upon
an Indian budget as a fearful bore. That
! night is given to state dinners The real
| government Of one of the largest, richest and
most populous empires in the world is left to
the clerks in the Office of the Board Of
| Control.
Something Of this is true of the manner in
which we treat our Indian tribes. How many
even of our best informed people know any
| thing whatever of these strange, peculiar in
teresting people who still live on the vast
Territories Of our Continent? We have Chris
tian denominations who subscribe large
sums Of money for the conversion" of Hin
docs and Cinnamon. The foreign missionary
enterprises of America are prominent part
Of our religious system; yet these Hindoos
and Cinnamon whom we would convert
belong to nations which have civilization
older and in some respects ripper than our
own, which was blaze Of light when Europe
was in darkness. While we have disseminated
the Gospel among a strange people we
have forgotten that within our doors were a
race, bound to rs by peculiar ties, in
whose fate we are, as men Of honor, COM
PEELED to take a deep interest. We have
dealt with the Indians as kind of vermin
engendered on these plains and mountains
and whose only possible fate was extermina-
ton. We forgot that they owned the coun-
try which we have usurped that they were
once masters Of these States, and that we
have not only driven them from the lands
Of their ancestors but have dishonored our
nationality in our dealings with them.
The narratives we have printed Of the
frauds in the Northwest country form only
another chapter of this dreary business;
but we are not without hope that good
will result from these Investigations, espe-
cially when we see what has been the effect
thus far. By the efforts Of the HERALD's cor
respondents we have been able to ex-
pose a system Of robbery and corrup-
ton deep seated and far extending,
We have shown that our national govern
ment, instead Of protecting the Indians, has
connived at their destruction. We have
shown that the whole trading system Of the
Northwest is gigantic scheme Of robbery
that the interests which have fattened upon
it are protected by the general government;
that those who profit by it are SO rich that
they have been enabled TO form in the Indian
Ring one Of the most powerful influences
which surround the administration. We
have shown that this ring is strong enough
to dictate the appointment Of members Of the
Senate and House Indian Committees,
to drive members out Of the Cabinet
and select officers more obedient to
their will, to control the whole admin
istration machinery and even to reach
the household Of the President himself
The strength Of the Indian Ring combina-
tions was shown in the efforts which were
made to protect Mr.. Delano, who, as their
Secretary Of the Interior, was guilty, if not
of direct completely with these frauds, at
least Of not having abolished them. The
efforts Of the HEEALDs correspondents were
admirably sustained by Professor Marsh, of
Yale College William Welsh, Of Philadel-
phia, formerly Chairman Of the Board Of
Indian Commissioners, and others. Pro-
lessor Marsh and Mr. Welsh were typical
witnesses. The first was professor Of science
who happened to find himself in the Indian
country on an errand Of investigation, and
who upon his return, told simply
what he saw. The other is o dis
ting1ished merchant Of Philadelphia and
| member Of Christian denomi-
nation whose name and character are be-
yond reproach When these witnesses came
forward and sustained the allegations made
by the HERALD correspondents, allegations
verified by US at great expense and with
much difficulty even the President was
compelled to surrender, and in doing So TO
remove his Secretary Of the Interior.