The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-10-09
The Indians---The Government.

The telegraph has brought us brief ac-
count Of meeting Of what is styled '"''The,
American Board Of Missions" in Hartford,
Conn, at which was discussed remarkable
report upon the question of the policy that
should be pursued towards the Indians.
This paper urged that the !" tribal relation J"
with the Indians be broken up. This is
tantamount to recommendation that there
be no more treaties with Indians; and we
think this recommendation is wise. What
folly it is to be treating with the tribes Of
wandering savages, who are unable to main
tain even an existence near the boundaries
OF civilization save through the charity OF
our Governments charity, indeed, so dis
pensed as to open tho ways to frauds and
villainous roguery by which Government
pets are always growing rich. What sort OF
dignity or responsibility attaches to such
tribes? AS well might there be treaties
with the frcquenters OF the public soup
house.
The whole system OF treaties with Indians
Is dclusion and farce. Such treaties are
not worth the paper they are written upon;
and the Government in making them puts
itself in the light OF trickster and a de-
ceiyer. We all know that the Government
does as it pleases after all-that neither red
man nor white man respects these Indian
treaties-that they are not made with the
idea that they are to be respected, and are
therefore ridiculous delusion.
This American Board whatever be its all-
thority and dignity, went SO far as to re-
ceiUe the report. In the course Of the de-
bate upon it we perceive that one Rev. Mr..
MARSH objected to it that it seemed to be q
criticism upon the United States Govern
ment! Oh La that would never do, in Mr..
MARsH's opinion. We take it that this
MARSH is Il GRANT man. According to
Grantism the time is come when men must
not speak against the Government. "The
king can do no wrong"; and it would be
grossly seditious for us to censure GRANT
and his lawleSs httorney-General for with
drawing the army that is protecting the
plains against Indian marauders, that they
may be placed about the polls to oyerawe
the voters and elect the Radical nominee
for President. The day may be coming
when somebody will be hung for thing
like that.
Notwithstanding the solemn warning
about this sin against the Government,
the document was vigorously sustained.
DR.. BACON declared that it was as absurd
for the Government to be making treaty
with Indians as it would be for Msssachu-
sets or Connecticut to make a treaty with
tramps. Very true. sy..e.
Among other things the Doctor said it
was stated that CUSTER said that "there
ought to be only one Indian war, and then
no more Indians" The poor fellow seemed
to have been resolutely pushing his senti-
ment when he fell. The "phianthropists"
will regard it rs a just Judgment upon him,
but it is as certain as the sun is in the heavens
that the poor Indian must be eNtin-
guished. He cannot be civilized-he
cannot live in peace with civilization
and he must die. In the end it will
be seen that the Government could as well
have carried out CUSrER's so-called policy.
1t would seem to be all one. Unquestiona-
bly, GRANT and his partners in persecution
and usurpation would far better try to
destroy the Indians than to enslave the
whites OF the South. The former might be
done with advantage, and the latter can
never be done. '@.'