Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-11-07
MAKE HIN AN AMERICAN CIT.
IZEN.

This is an auspicious time for inau-
gurating new Indian policy. OF all
the hoslilcs which have taken up arms
against the Federal Government since
the first OF the year, none now remain
on the war path. They have either
surrendered voluntarily, or been sub
dued in battle. Even Sitting Bull is
practically at peace with us, for al.
though he scornfuly rejected the over
lures of the commission, he at the same
time announced his determination TO
remain on the Canadian side of the
border, and the Dominion authorities
have notified him that il be should fail
to keep his word they will make com.
mon cause with our own Government
against him. The prospect for pro-
longed peace on tho border was never,
indeed, 80 promising as now. This,
therefore, is good time, as we have
said, for inaugurating new Indian
policy. II is a good time Tor substi-
tuting honesty and mutual confidence
for fraud and mutual suspicion n good
time Tor pruning the service OF corrupt
officials, for dismlssing thieving agents,
bogus contractors and intriguing clerks;
a good time for breaking up the Indian
ring in all its ramifcations. The time
has come when we can no longer afford
to maintain an Indian policy which, in
itself vicious, has required for eight
years strong standing army to enforce
it. We cannot afford TO repeat the
blunders which brought on tbo.Sioux
and Nez Perccs wars, and which have
cost us more in blood and treasure
than all the advantages sought to be
wrested from the Indians Lave been
worth, many times over. In short, we
cannot afford to make treaties which
we do not intend to observe. The
change, to be effective, must he radical
The first thing to be done is TO reform
the service as it now exists. This
duty belongs TO Secretary Schurz
When he first entered upon his Office
more than six months ago, the press
generally called his attention to the
deplomble condition of the Indian Bu
reau but beyond instituting two OF
three petty investigations, which have
so far been barren of results, he has
done absolutely nothing. The Indian
ring Is almost as strong today as il
was in Delano's timc. IL is plain
therefore, that unless he at once crap
pies with the evil personally he will
never accomplish anything. But whil,
it is evident that reiolm must begin
here, it is equally clear that to secur,
a permanent reform the whole policy
OF the Government must bo changed
So long us we recognize the tribal sov
ereigpty in the Indian II will be i'm
possible to civilizc him, and We shal
never be done with fighting him
If he refuses to 70 on his resorva
ton we can, indeed, make war, but
that is no punishment for his disobedi
enco Sooner or later the Indian mus
be converted into an American citizen
made amenable to our laws, insured
their protection and brought within
reach Of their penalties. We shall thci
be able to deal with him through th'
civil autboritics, and 30 hedge hin
about with the restraints of society
that he would be unable TO cast then
of. When once Congress refuses I,
recognize him any longer as tribe
but simply as an individual, there will
bean end at once and forever of lndIal
wars.