The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-12-14

The unchecked course OF this band was
one Of the greatest drawbacks to the sue
cess of our agents among the remaining
Sioux and other bands In Dakota and Mon
tana, and IL became necessary TO turn them
over to the War Department to be brought
In upon the reservations. This Is being
rapidly done, and, but for the disastrous
and sad fate Of General Gustav and his
brave command, would have been consum-
mated, in all probability, with slight loss
to our forces. The similar trouble
with bands in the Southwest, a few
years since, was successfully removed,
and to-day the kiowas, Comanches, and
Apaches are fully under control, and real.
lie their better condition sufficiently to
make it entirely improbable that any future
difficulty will arise which can not readily be
dispose of by our civil officers.
To what extent the difficulties in the North
were incseased by the tardy passage by Con-
gress of the annual appropriations, and the
consequent dissatisfaction and suspicion OF
many of those Indians, before friendly, In.
ducing them to Join the hostiles, IT would
be difficult to determine, but that the ehect
was to materially strengthen Sitting Bulps
band is undoubtedly true.
For the general government OF the In
dams the Commissioner recommends three
principles of policy, which he supports by
able and convincing arguments, anu In
which most heartily concur: The concen-
tration of all the Indians upon afew reserva-
tions, acceptance by them of land in
severalty. and the extension over them of
the United States law and jurisdiction OF
United States Courts, and consequent DISCO
luton of tribal organization.
Briefly, the arguments are all in favor OF
the consolidation expensive agencies would
be abolished, the Indians themselves can be
more easily watched over and controlled,
evil designing men be the better kept away
from them, and illicit trade and barter III
arms, ammunition, and whisky prevented
goods could be supplied at a great saving
the military service relieved; the Indians
better taught, and friendly rivalry estab,
lished among them, those most civilized
Fastening the progress of those below them,
and most of the land now occupied as re-
serves, revertipg TO the General Government
would be open TO entry and sale.
AS to the policy of treating with the In
dams, the Secretary says:
The sooner the idea of considering and
treating the various tribes in the Indian
Territory as possessing a sort Of indepen
dent power and nationality is done away
with, the earlier will we reach some prac
teal solution of the embarrassments which
now surround the question of their govern
ment. The most of these pc Oplc have made
great advancement in civilization, ant
many are fit to embrace the full advantage
of citizenship. They are under the care O
the Government as much as any other por
ton of its people, and it is as responsible
and in some respects more responsible
for their welfare. There is no reason VIII,
the Jaws and jurisdiction of the court
should not be extended over them, and the.
be treated the same as any other like portion
of our population, and some form of terrific
rial government devised which shall secur
for them, as guaranteed, the exclusive occu
pancy of their territory by the Indians, an
while protecting them from the encrOach
ments of the whites provide the necessar
means for the protection and government O
themselves.
During the year ending June 80, 1871
public lands were disposed of as follows: