The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-24
Another Of Grants Indian Blunders.

The performances of GRANTS Sioux
Commission Mt RED CLOUD Agency afford
D characteristic illustration of the Presi-
dents extraordinary Indian policy, which,
thus far, has resulted IN expenditure on
account of Indian affairs of about double
the amount Of money annually that was
required for the same purpose under b.
CHANAN's Administration, when the num-
Der of Indians was considerably greater
than now, in the needless and disgraceful
Sioux war, and in the massacre of CUSTER
and his command.
This policy consists in making the fairest
promises to the Indians and then break
Ing them whenever rascally job can be
promoted or an Administration Ring be
bench Ted by such faIthlessness.
In 1879 Congress enacted that thereafter
no Indian tribe should be acknowledged
rs an Independent tribe with whom the
United States may contract by treaty, and
yet GRANTS Commissioners, acting under
Instructions from the Government. have
proceeded to coerce RED CLOUDS band Of
Ogallala Sioux into treaty which. II II
we're valid, would be q surrender of their
most valuable rights. We say coerce. be-
cause 1t was by threats SUCH Us that of
stopping their rations, given TO them in re-
turn for relinqulshing certain privileges OF
hunting over country where the buffalo is
found, and thus reducing them TO starva-
lion, that the Indians were induced reluc-
mntly to affix their signatures to the
treaty presented for their approval.
The military power of the Government
was forcibly represented in the negotia-
fions by the presence OF troops: and we
arc told that even RED CLOUD, who has
labored faithfully to preserve peace, not
withstanding the Infamous manner in
which his tribe has been robbed by the
agents OF the Government, betrayed II
sullen discomfort not consistent with his
stolid participation In the agreement
BY the treaty signed by RED CLOUD and
other chiefs, but in the framing Of which
they had no voice, they relInquish all
claim to the Black Hills country, the OK
elusive occupation of which was guaran-
teed to the Sioux by the treaty Of 1868
hnd make various other concessions, be.
bides promising ito submit themselves TO
such benehcent plans as the Government
may provide for them in the selection OF a
permanent home" which means that they
will leave their own country and peace
ably migrate to whatever spot the Govern
ment may dictate: but they are told that
the President believes that the Indian Ter
ritory is the only country where they can
hope for permanent Improvement. Still.
they are graciously permitted 10 send q
delegation to look at this Territory before
The Great Father decides whether they
hail bc sent there or to some other place.
In return for their surrender of landi
and other rights the Commission make
many fine promises about supplies of TODD
clothing, and the like, which they have NJ
power 10 fulfil and which Will be of nc
effect until approved by Congress. Now
the Ogallala Sioux represented by RED
CLOUD and other parties 90 the treat
number only about COCO; the Cheyenne
and Arapahoes at the same agency are
nbout 1000 more, while the whole number
Df Sioux upon the various reservations i
about $4,000. exclusive Of the hostile In
diaDs who have never been parties TO any
treaty. And by article II oy tho treaty o
1863 IT is provided that no agreement fol
the oession OF any part Of the Sioux reser
walton, which includes the Black Hills
shall be OF any validity or force as agains
the Indians unless executed aud signed b,
~ least ihree-touTt% Of AL the ADULT In