The Morning herald., 1876-07-08
FOR VICE PRESIDENT,
CUsEER's RIDE TO DEATH.

It is one of those bold, vigorous stories
common to Indian warfare, that though
comprchends at mention, and mingles pity
indignation and hate in considering th'
violence Of slaughter. Relieve it from tn,
deep associations Of sympathy that allie
all Americans to the unfortunate men who
rushed fearlessly into the jaws Of death
never to return, and we have daring reck
lessness on one side and cool Indian STRAIT
agem upon the other. General Custer was
heroic officer, but much given to dash
and spirit, not always we'll tempered. In
his attack upon the Sioux he under-esti
MATED their forces, and fell precipitately
upon the main body Of the enemy, in a
grand sortie which was the ride to death
and he and three hundred heroic compan-
ions in half an hours time were numbered
with the dead. There was failure, miscal-
! culations in time, which have lost the day
to many generals. Reno was easily
whipped, and furnished no aid. Crook
did not offer the support that was expected
by non-arrival at the time appointed, and
the gallant Custer and his men fell easy
victims to The rifles and knives of the saw
ages.
1t is one of those events that in times of
peace, CRATES more severely upon the feel
ings than in times of battle; but a natural
sevent in an Indian war. We must con-
: slider the nature Of the men who constitute
the Sioux nation. They are fighters by
instinct and the rifle and bow and arrow
are their companions from childhood.
1aey are trained to the cunning and tru-
culence of warriors, and in their country,
with full knowledge of all the conditions
Of the land, which isin hills and valleys,
hold an advantage over white troops of no
ordinary Importance in warfare.
Those against whom the army contend,
Il are the hostile Sioux, led by Sitting
Bull, a brave, skillful warrior, that has re-
fused to answer the demands of the Gov
eminent that he take reservation set apart
for him and his followers. He has treated
all threats Of the Government that war
would be made upon him, with contempt,
and has lived by foraging, stealing and
murder. He is now in open defiance to the
laws, and this attack upon his lodges and
people was to administer that punishment
with which he had been threatened if he did
not 60 quietly to his reservation. He ha'
four thousand warriors, who are eqnipped
with revolvers ,and Henry rifles, and
in this respect are over matches for the
white troops. tits easily suggested by this
how much General Custer, and even those
who were higher in command must have
miscalculated the forces they had to con-
tend with, and their resources; if not, then
his ambition and heroism overcame his
better judgment, and he led his men into
i certain death.
The war has destroyed all efficacy of the |
peace policy. Peace talk to Indians of this
Jtamp is as worthless argument as to tell
hem of American patriotism. 1t has
made one thing inevitable, which has for
he past fifteen years been STAYED off as if
oy some inscrutable providence, and that
s war. The Indian cannot be domesti-
,ated. He is wild by nature, and infamed
~ the impositions that have been practiced
lpon him by those who have extended the
'eace policy, he has determined to be no
riend of the white man, and there is only
me logic that can make him understand
lis duty and the position he is to occupy. Le
nd that is powder and ball. His equip d
nent with the best Henry rifles. revolvers
nd an ample supply of ammunition all tell
IS without need of any other suggestion. a
'hese weapons have been placed in his p
by whom? Those who belong to F
ty that originated the peace policy. G.
strong in defence with these this is O
Arty that caused it. Ifhe had been te
Z for his lands, and treated justly by the m
y senf 70 him as masters, he would Ilit
ben more trsctable, but afer bis nv flI