The New York herald., 1876-07-09
DEBATE IN THE HOUSE ON THR
WAR.

WASHINGTON, July 8. 1876
Mr. BAxsIyo (dem.) of Ohio, asked leave TO offer
resolution calling the Secretary OF War to report
the object of the military expedition under Generals
Crook and Terry, now operating against the North
western Indians, with all the correspondence bearing
the origin OF the expedition and oil military orders
issued by the War Department.
Mr.. You've, tdem.) OF Tenn objected, he desired
to offer a resolution himself on the same subject
Mr.. BOONE, tdem.) OF KY. from the Committee on
Indian Affairs called up the bill for the appointment Of
q commission treat with the Sioux Indians for tho
cession OF the Black Hills.
Mr.. CoxGgR (rep) OF Mich, having raised the ques
ton of consideration, the House decided 10y e3 to s5
not consider IT at this trae The House then took
up the bill reported by the Committee Indian
Affairs, declaring the country north OF the North
Platte River and OF the summit Of the Big Horn
Mountain in Wyoming Territory, opcn to exploration
and settlement
Mr. FORD, rcp) Of ILL., inquired II the ato disastrous
battle with the Indians had taken place the country
affected by tho bill
Mr. STEELE, (dem.) Of Wy. T., stated II was not .
that the military operations carried with
reference TO the peace policy In 1868 the United
States had made treaty with the Sioux nation, which
grave mistake, II it was not national dishonor
and disgrace That treaty had been the foundation Of
all difficulties the Sioux country and the OF
the death OF Custer and his tho Bic Horn
country. In 1866 General Pope established posts
Fort Phil kcarney, Reno and G. f. Smith, open
tho roads Montana and protect the country OF the
friendly Crows from the hostile Sioux In Keeping
these posts and opening that road many men, citizens
and soldiers, had been killed Notable among the
actions that had ssken place there the massacre
OF Fetterman and his command at Fort Phil Kearney
ninety-six and ofncers--and yet after these
had sacrificed their lives the went TO work
and made treaty by which they ignom mnous!y aban-
doncd that country TO these sava2es, dismanng its
posts and leaving there tho bones Of the men who
had laid down their lives In the wilderness Was II TO
be wondered at under these circumstances, that ST.
ting Bull and his men believed that they
superior tue general government! Any
body who knows anything about the Indians nature
knows that the legitimate result of that cowaroly
policy Of peace any price" was only to delcr the
evil day which has now come upon us since that
time tho Sioux have been constantly dcprcdatng on the
frontiers OF Nebraska, Wyoming aud Montana, aud
have ailen there In the peaceful avocAtions
OF civil life without murmur being heard than ieii
under the gallant Custer on the 18th OF June The
friendly Crows have been raidcd upon with
every full moon. with the Shoshoncs. and At
last these outrages have become 50 great and
long continued that even the pczccabe Indian Do
part could stand them any longer, and called
the military arm oi the government TO punish those
men. IL was IN carrying oui tins policy that Custer
country at the time that the Commissioners were there
attempting negotiate with tho Sioux AT that
time Young Man AFRAID OF his Horsos,
tho hereditary cheitian OF the OgalIaa fiie, and the
told that there not IN that northern country
under sitting Bull and Crazy Horse more than IRON
loo to 2co lodges which would not give them over 500
fighting men. all told; aud yet the report which
get that there were 500 lodges.
aggrcgatipg $500 1000 nshting men,
IN the encarnpment or village attacked