The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-04-07
Our Oliu.
Our Indian Policy.

the government towards the Indians, 10
reply to letter of Bishop Whipple pub
lished in the Gurchman.
The Indians have undoubtedly suffered
great injustice at the hands Of the whites.
They have been the victims Of oppression,
outrage and cruelty they have. in fact,
endured what an unciyilized people have
invariably experienced when so uufortu-
nate as to collide with a superior race
what the early Gauls and Germans met
from their Roman conquerors, what the
Hindoos met from the English, what the
natives Of South Africa met from the
Dutch, the same fate, in fact, that has
ever attended the weaker race under like
circumstances. Now, while no one can
deny that the American Indians have
suffered great wrongs during the last cen
tury, it does not follow as necessary
consequence that the federal Government
is accountable therefor On the contra
! ry, | venture TO assert that at no time in
the past, in any country, or by any gov
ernment, has so humane and liberal a
policy been pursued toward the aborigines
as has been adopted by our Government
toward the Indians. After the termina-
tion of wars conducted on their part with
the most vindictive cruelty, the survivors
of the billigerent tribe have been protected
fed and cared for as wards of the nation.
Annuities granted to them have been
faithfully paid, provision has been made
for their welfare, and consistent effort has
lnnn awprtn1 70 tpfrnIt,an H..
the arts of civilization and the truths of
Christianity. The wrongs inflicted upon
them are owing to causes beyond the con
troll of Government they are inherent in
the nature of the question The proper
disposal Of the Indians presentsa practical
problem to Congress without a precedent
in history, There exist within the limits
Of the United States two races distinct
from one another, and each considering
itself within its own territory entirely
independent of the other. The Govern
ment has-with, | think, mistaken policy
encouraged this idea of independence
entertained by the Indians, by making
treaties with them and thereby recognizing
them in measure as so many nations
As the tide Of emigration flows toward the
West there is inevitable encroachment on
land occupied by the Indians and guaran,
teed to them by treaty, their rights are
violated, their lands taken from them,
they engage, on their part, in predatory
excursions, murder and theft and finally
the difficulties become serious. The from
tiermen invoke the intercession of the
Government, aud an Indian war ensues
While the policy of making treaties with |
the savages is followed, there can be no
satisfactory settlement of the Indian ques.
tion. There must be while Indians exist
border line, over this line, far distant
from civilized communities, law and or
der cannot be maintained; if treaties are
made, their stipulations cannot be enforc-
ed, aud the Government is obliged to de-
clare war against people who have taken |
arms to oprotect rights guaranteed to them
by the very power that punishes them for |
seeking to maintain the privileges which
the furnishing power has conferred. This
" illustrated by the present war, which
may aptly be termed the "Black Hill war"
Some ten years ago treaty was made
with the Sioux in which it was stipulated |
that they should hold undisputcd posses
sion Of the tract Of country including the
Black Hills. This point was particularly
insisted on by the Dakotas, as the region |
named was their iavorite hunting ground,
and they had ever manifested great unwil,
lingness for the white man to enter it. |
They seemed to have knowledge of the |
fact that gold existed there, and entertain
ed dread that in search of it their |
country would be overrun and the last
resort Of their race be taken from them, |
their game driven away and their nation
destroyed by the tide of emigration.
With this dread of the future before them, |
they insisted that the United States should |
promise to prevent any intrusion on this
territory This demand was acceeded to. |
The Government pledged itself by treaty
stipulation to maintain the Sioux in the |
exclusive occupation of The Black Hills,
and to prohibit any white mau from en-
tering there on any pretext whatever
Some six years after the treaty was
made column of troops under General
Custer entered the country and announced |
the discovery of gold. The existence of |
gold being proved beyond doubt excited |
the usual commotion. All over the United |
States parties set out for the new FL Do
rado. In vain were proclamations issued |
to arrest them; they went on by thousands,
and in spite of the pledged faith of the
Government invaded aud took possession
of the Black Hills. The Sioux took alarm
and expostulated; councils were held at
which attempts were made to purchase the |
land, but all negotiation was fruitess; the
council was broken up, the Indians were
dissatisfied, and the United States had
done nothing towards fulfilling its pledges
Emigrants continued to arrive, and the
Sioux commenced hostilities On what
ground We can blame them for taking
arms it is difficult to perceive. At the
same time the General Government was
placed in a most perplexing position; on
one side was the treaty, but in the mean
time circumstances had arisen which made
it well-nigh impossible to carry out the
provisions of the treaty. During the win
ter thousands had moved to the "Hills,n
towns had sprung up and large amounts
had been invested in goods, ranches had
been staked out, herds of cattle introduc
ed. The population was so well established
that without creating great hardship they
could not be disturbed; besides, the autho-
rites had made no opposition whatever to
the numerous parties entering the country
during the winter, thus giving a tacit per-
mission. This being the condition of af.
fairs in the spring, when hostilities were
begun by the Sioux, the Government was
in dilemma. Aside from the objections
above mentioned, which made it difficult
to proceed by force, the military at the
disposal of the War Department for this
purpose was totally inadequate to expel
the large number of persons then com
prising the population Of all the mining
Il