The teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1876-1878, 1877-10-13
Indian Prospects.


on the frontier is deeply interested il
the future peace and quietude of tn.
country where they reside; and every
omen Of future raids and hostile demon
STATIONS by Indians brings fearful ap
prehension Of both destruction of life
and property. General Sherman has
lately passed through Northern Idaho
and Eastern Washington, and at Port.
land and other places has endeavored
to assure the people that they had moth
ing more to apprehend from the hostile
Nez Perces, as they had been herded
out Of the country and taken with them
all the bad Indians. Would to God
the Generals opinion would prove COR
rect. But do the facts justify our ?eo-
pie in being lulled into security upon
his assertion OF future peace. Consider
the unparalleled success Of the 300 hos
tile Nez Perces, who have 10 defiance
Of all the available troops of the govern
ment combined with such of the citiz.
ems of the country who could be armed,
rut leisurely gauntlet of about 1900
miles with from 1000 to 1000 head of
loose stock, and with the women and
children made their escape after three
months conflict without loss of so
warriors, and are now upon British
soil aud in alliance with nearly 1900
other hostiles who are unwecome guests
of the British Government. Consider
this fact, and then can we say that they
have met with such reverses as to check
in them desire to make war upon
frontier settlers If 800 Indians can
swoop over and through so large extent
OF country, carrying death and devas.
tation III their path in the face of all
forces We could bring against them.
what can they and their allies accomp-
lish the ensuing season when they will
number 1000 warriors. Every sane
and reflective mind who is at all con.
versant with Indian character, will at
once say that the Indian success OF the
past season will embolden future raids
not only by the same band but also By
other Indians who consider the settle.
ment Of their country by the whites |
aggression upon their rights. To be
forwarned is to be forarmed. and how.
ever painful the fact, and the duty to be
performed, yet the Press owes it to the !.
people on the frontier to advise them ;,
'f what is liable to take place another b
season, that every precaution may be Il
used to avert hostilities 10 case thew '
should occur. We are not alone in
'ur forebodings. The Benton Record =
published at Fort Benton in the vicin. b
ty OF the great hostile bands, says in 3
Is issue Of Sept. IA: [
washington dispatch dated August 80.
AYE that "serious apprehension 10 felt by Il
oe Government that Sitting Bull and Chief q,
'osepn are about to join their forces and re
onduct the war Of larger scale. 1t is ~
90 opinion Of the War Department that by y
0eans OF Indian runners the two hostile W
ands OF iodians have been in constant RI
and that the insufficient IN
'iitary force operating against Joseph -,
as been reported to Sitting Bull, and that r.
, view OF this fact they propose to seize WI
heir opportunity and make a general war ar
pom the Indian frontier. L. is feared thai au
Their bands will be drawn into the move. RI
rent. and that the result will be a general ~,
'aRne OF all the Indians, who for the past w
AR ha