The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-06-03
General Gustav ON the Sioux Indian
Problem.


Problem.
Central Custer was interviewed last week
by representative of the New York Herald,
and the conversation is published in that paper
OF the god, occupying over four columns If fine
tyre. The most of the Generals remarks were
devoted to the graphic descriptions Of the
country west of the Missouri. We copy
some of the Generals remarks, emitting the
descriptions and references to his supposed
expedition OF this ear, which last are evil
IDENTIFY based on Gen. Sheridan's letter OF last
winter, without information that he has
abandoned the project there outlined.
WHAT IS DETERMINED.
will repeat, Says Gen. Custer, that it is the
determination OF the government and OF every
officer connected with this service in the West
to labor faithfully in protecting the Indians in
their undoubted right, at present, to that por-
ton of the Black Hills included i'll the treaty
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 ten.
|
Black Hills when it can be done legally. But
| GENERAL TERRY,
who is the department commander, is opposed
to it, and he bases his arguments on very con-
scientious grounds He was a member of the
| commits sion " hich was formed some years ago,
| composed of members OF both branches OF Con-
gress, a few prominent citizens and three OF
the general officers Of the army. He, being a
party to that treaty, Is familiar with the
A,,s.,y VIZ ;ch rovarnad the commission
,ing aside the territory tor the use of the Ia
dams. He thinks that now it would be q
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-
tons located on the Missouri river are uniavor-
able for agriculture. One year the drought
ruins the crops and the next the srasshopPer'
devour them, so that even skilled white labo
would be discouraged. But the Black Hills
so far as we know, are subject to neithe
2 droughts, floods nor grasshoppers, and If tn
, purposed experiment is ever made anon!
the Indians it must be done b,
placngthem where they can have the advan
means OF making livelihood, and not by put
ting them on ground where no white tarme
3 | would STAY Gen. Terry s one OF the mos
4 conscientious men ever knew. and he is
!. man who has made the Indian question
, special study. He has been in command o
. the terms of this treaty. He says that 1t e.
Q pressly states that the Black Hills shall be
}. permanent home for them. He thinks this
= thew should never be deprived Of it withor
:. their express consent by vote OF three-fourtl
}. OF all the male members Of the tribe, and h
u thinks that even if those who so to Washing
}. ton should agree to part with the reservation
S an act of Congress would be required to mai
: it . strictly legal proceeding The Indial
:. have no better friend than Gen. Terry. Whe
y say friend, mean man that will see tn
re they are justly dealt with.
n THE PRESIDENTS POLICY.
'r know that he has attempted policy tn
he has been very Successful. It is, to first NAL
pr aggressive war on the Indians and estahli:
=. the authority OF the government, and, havi,
once subiued them, TO locate them on reserv
lie tons, showing them that they will be requir
c. to STAY there Having done this, he won
then encourage them in the art of sgricultul
The Indians have inclined toward this pl
to and the results have been satisfactory.
RKLrKF FOB INDIANS RKsEcTKD,
er have an officer at the Stony Rock Agen
OF who reports the condition OF AFFAIRS For
m last tv months the Indians there have be
"a reduced to actual want and suffering. Ny ,
~ tention was called to this officially, and On |
=" vestigat,on found that, although bounti
IN. prov isions had been made BY the goveTnme
'as the supplies were about exhausted II '
IS winter, and the agency . ioo mles NOM
= patation until the opening Of spri
70 navigation I telegraphed to Gene
re Terry descrihing the suHenngs and inanil
!. is of the Indian Department to take care OF the
mt that had surplus Of provisions, and reco
-. mended that be authorized - turn .
|. enough to keep them from STRIVING until
= indian Department could get supplies y
70 Terry approved, the proposition was usnsn
rec ted through the War Department 70 me :
ant resary Of the Interior, and thence to the Co
missioner Of Indian AAairs; bat the TEUvizi
were declined, with the information tAA
-. department would Get then fhfuugh - 9
agents After this learned that the indi
-. were living upon their ponies, and = >
tie record thaa t6ey have actually did q IN