The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-07-07
THE LITTLE HORN MASSACRE.

theptic. The story has doubtiessly
thrilled the whole country, and there
will be a general desire for movement
against the Indians formidable enough
to exterminate them. In common with
our fellow citizens, we sincerely regret
the death of Gen. Custer and his gallant
soldiers. The General and his men Tell
in the heroic discharge OF their duty,
and they deserve the admiration ana
sympathy of all brave and true men.
The battle with the Indians on Lltue
Horn and its terrible results Will long
constitute thrilling chapter in the his
tory of our frontier wars, and the gal
liant Custer will heneeforth rank as one
Of the heroes Of the American army.
But who is to blame for this lament
able affair? A howl will go up against
the barbarities of the Indians, and there
will be loud cries for vengeance upon
the Red skins. 1t is now necessary, we
concede. to whip out the Indians, and
we presume u war OF DETERMINATION
must be waged against them. But we
cannot concede that the Indians are en-
tirely to blame. Ii they fought with
desperation and cruelty we must bear
in mind that the policy OF the
white race, relentlessly pursued. has
been gradually driving the Indians
from their hunting grounds and thin
ming out their numbers. 1t has been
for two hundred years and more fierce
race conflict, and the Indians fought
the other day for very life. The exter-
mination of Custer and his command
was not more cruel than the murder OF
o camp of sick women and children OF
the Piutes by United States troops under
the command OF Phil. Sheridan.
Under the present Adminlstra-
ton the Indians have had
great grievances, and it is not astonisa-
ing to those acquainted with the opera
tions Of the Indian ring, under Secre-
tary Delano's administration. that they
hate the American troops and fight so
desperately. The necessities OF the sit
uation require that the Indians shall
be whipped into submission, but falr-
minded men must concede that they
have committed no more atrocities upon
the Americans than the Government
officials and troops have perpetrated
upon them.
The responsibility for this fearful
massacre of gallant young officer and
three hundred troops rests right where
the responsibility for the murder and
robbery Of the frontiersmen OF Texas
by the Indians rests -upon Gen. Grants
administration. II Dog Merrill and his
troops in 1874 had been on the frontier,
instead of raiding North Louisiana, in
terferng in the elections, arresting and
hand cutting peaceable citizons, and
threatening the lives OF women,
peace might long since have
reigned on our Mexican border, and
there would have been fewer men anc
women out there cruelty butcheTec
by the Indians and Greasers. LII Phi
Sheridan and Gen. DeTrobriand hac
been on the frontier with their troops il
January, 1875, when they were dis
persing the legal Legislature of this
State, and threatening to hang ant
shoot the Democratic citizens OF Louis
lana without judge or jury, they would
not have disgraced the uniforms they
wear and the flag they follow, and the
gallant Custer and his men might have
been strong enough the other day tt
have COPIED with the overwhelming
numbers of the Sioux.
This affair covers the administration
of Gen. Grant with shame and infamy
1t is not only burning reproach to his
civil administration OF the Government
IN which he has used the army to over
ride and outrage several of the South
ern States, but it disgraces him forever
as a soldier. As the commander-in
chief of the army he wasted its strength
sullied it's honor, and rendered it hate
full and contemplate by campaign
against his unarmed and helpless fellow
citizens Of Louisiana, in the further
ance Of base partisan schemes
while the frontier OF tn
country was being ravaged and pillaget
by fierce and relentless Indian wars
As the Commander in Chief of the arm,
he used its strength to uphold in Louis
lana and Mississippi rotten despotisn
Of political rogues, leaving few gallan
officers and handful Of men, with thu
men, women and children on the from
tier, to the mercy Of the savages, who's
worst and most cruel passions his In
dian ring, headed by his Secretary 0
the Interior, and composed OF his Quak
ers and his thieving traders, were arous
: ing.
This is the most disgraceful chapte
In the history Of Grants administra
ton. Will he now seek. in some poo
measure, to redeem himself by with
drawing the troops from Louisiana t.
} concentrate them where they can d.
honorable service for the country, AM
where they will protect the citizens Q
Tho Da,,,hIio ipctood nf ipcnltipp an,