The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-13

stanch soldier has fought the Indians more
effectively than was thought, the unpleasant
aspects of his battle having been in a great
degree given by reports from the rear. His
resolute conflict and General Towards
splendid march to join him are facts that
relieve the calamitous monotony OF the
chronicle of these wars Nevertheless, had
this energy resulted in junction on the
eve of battle it is evident that the result
would have furnished better ground for sat-
isfaction. And the circumstance that Glib
| bon is not crushed does not alter our con-
| viction that the time has come for radical
change of policy. Congress will be mex
cusably remiss when it assemblies in
October if it does not take this subject in
hand and deal with it comprehensively and
effectually. The first business in order,
the business which made the necessity
for O special session imperative, is to
make provision for the support OF the
army, which should be done on scale
large enough to meet the requirements OF
new and energetic Indian policy. Having
supplied the necessary instrument Con-
gress must also prescribe the methods for
its employment, with view to put an end
to these ever-recurring Indian troubles.
Until all the rowing tribes have been
planted on reservations and have taken
root in a new mode of lite Indian affairs
should be administered exclusively by the
War Department, and the army should be
large enough for bringing the problem into
manageable shape in less than two years,
which is sufficient period for gathering all
the scattered tribes upon compact reserva-
tions and thus completing the first and
most difficult stage of the experiment
After providing an adequate military force
the most important preparatory step is to cut
off absolutely all supplies of ammunition to
the Indian tribes. This may be difficult,
but it is not impossible. 1t presupposes the
entire sweeping away of the whole system
Of Indian agents and Indian traders, Ii
censed AZ well as unlicensed, and prohibi-
ton Of every kind ofcivilian intercourse with
the Indians No place should be given for
the operation Of mercantile cupidity and
nobody should be allowed to come in con-
tact with the Indians except persons amen
able to military discipline. 1t will require
considerable extension of military safe
guards to prevent surreptitious trading, but
prehensivo policy.
In the first place, a chain Of we'll selected
military posts should be established near
the Canada frontier sufficient to enforce an
embargo on that side. Powder is SO light
IN article and so easily transported that the
Indians would be supplied by fur traders
on the other side of the border unless we
adopt efficient means of prevention. The
Indians would pay any price for powder, in
furs and skins, rather than not have it, and
the chance of enormous profits would
stimulate the fur traders of Canada
to accumulate stores of ammunition
for sale to our Indians as soon as
other sources of supply were shut off, Such
chain Of military posts would prevent not
only the smuggling of gunpowder but the re-
treat of the Indians into Canadian territory,
after the manner of Sitting Bull 1t is to
be hoped that the Canada authorities will
give friendly hearing to the commission
which our government is about to send to
them and facilitate our attempts to capture
that noted chief, but in future we must be
independent of their courtesy by adequate
military preparations on our side of the
frontier. But the main reason for establish
ing line of posts is to intercept and cut of
all supplies and ammunition to the Indians
from that quarter.
Since the introduction of firearms among
the Indians they have lost their skill both
in the fabrication and the use of their native
weapons, and they would be reduced to
helplessness by deprivation of gunpowder
which they cannot manufacture. 1t may be
said that this deprivation would not only
cripple them as warriors. but take away
their means of subsistence, and that, being
no longer able to shoot game in the wilder
ness, the rage of unsatisied hunger would
impel them to prowl around our settlements
and make raids in the night time upon
cattle and granaries. 1t cannot be denied that
settlers would be exposed to this danger, but
it is foreseen danger and could be guarded
against. Some additional troops would
be needed for local protection, but the chief
security of settlers would lie in the vigorous
aertness of the army in the Indian country
itself. The army should chase the disabled
savages from pillar to post and give them no
rest nor respite until they were brought to
submission. They could be made to under
stand that food, quiet and abundance awaited
them on the appointed reservations, and
that the only alternative was starvation and
marrying pursuit by armed soldiers whose
shots they could not return. With the ex-
haustion of their present supplies Of ammu-
milton their powers OF mischief and resist
left them but death or submission.
This policy would undoubtedly require d
very considerable military force, but it