The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-11-04
The Red Men.

Among the topics discussed in the Con-
grcss of the Episcopal Church which as
sembcd in this city last week. Is The
True Policy toward the Indian Tribes"
There Is abundant need that some body,
whether ecclesiastical or political. should
lind out decent policy, and enforce it
upon the Government. Thus far our policy
toward the Indians mas been an ahom-
Unable medley of ignorance, imbeciity,
broken pledges, frauds, lies. and robbery.
IL no department of the Government has
there been proportionally 80 much mis-
management, so much bad faith. and so
much thicving, as in the one that assumes 10
take charge OF Indian affairs. Millions Of
acres, as has well been said. have been
stolen from the red men, through the device
Of treaties drawn in abstruse legal phrase
ology not one word OF which they under
stand. These treaties have repeatedly been
managed by some crafty politician, eager TO
swindle the unfranchised red people In the
Interests of the voting whites. Sometimes
the agreement l. explained by an in
competent or besotted half breed, VINO to-
tally misrepresents il. When ii is signed,
md the Indians have done their part by
moving away from the coveted lands, the
treaty. OF agreement. j. often allowed to re-
main unattended 10 by the department or
the Senate Tor two, three. oreNen i"Ir years.
All TINS time 'he lhdiah j. ch"llnH uI'er
the sense of outrage. He calls for the annu-
tues III virtue oil which he has given up his
Well-stock"d hunting grounds AMI ne re-
teiNeS empty words Tor answer IL l. moi
only uisapp"lhtmeht' but actual starvation
mat mas sometimes come from thlo hhoml-
haple neglect. Nhen, al m@'. the GOVERN
inent begins To iuliil H. contract The anhui-
tler are short III quantity ana quaihy. nav
'ng been pouhced upon WIN petty hiphiiiigs
ofpis Dl'esa All ulcng me Process "i giving the
orders, buying thr g"'us' transporting mem
I" the ngellcl"s. ana ma distributions he
ilulah once -"i" MI NtsNllH -! oregon.
rpopeu Oh MS hunting srpuhh ana NJ
nome. KNOWS no'hihg al me government
except the ift'"l- ana injustice when lie ma :
suffered al lts hahd-. Inc Chrl-tlahi/lhs
''ii"chec OF our civilization mas reduced
the Indians I" thieves Nsgabohds' ana
PROSTITUTES 'hur'h Congress no less
IMAM a Federal Congress may wei stand
hshast al the rum "ilch s"-chll'd CHRISTIAN
htatesineh nave wrought among The red
49,
lhere l. one iuhuanl"hlhi chahge which,
beyond all question l. required III our In
uIau policy. IN" Government must cease
10 act Oh the presumption That the destiny
Oh the reu race Is l"lal determination
Nhelher or not that VIII practically DE th'
iate even OIL the reservation Indians, we
heed MOI stop 10 inquire "hal i certain II
that the Government mas noright 10 as-uine
that II - III" destiny o' tue white race &c
NFcirun anu crush ON inc rod.
but thi5 assumption - al the bottom ol
hhh lhe lranu' the les' the neglect, ana the
EecRles-h'Ss lhal nave characleflz"d ON
hdian policy. In case OF doubt whether the
Government snail put Itself ana the white
settlers 10 lltlle lncOnVehlenc" Tor the sake
Ci the red man r rights. the cant Of mani
fest destiny comes up TO decide the case
against justice. ana in favor OF convenience
II IL only question Of few years more I'll
l'-s, We are invariably told whether thu
indian shall disappear, so that it Is hard
worth while checking the march of civil
2niiun in order T. conform 10 the techni
cnlities Of II contract which, very likely, The