Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1878-11-29
Report of Gen. Shcrman-- Discussion of
the Indian Question.

man has submitted his annual report to
Secretary McCrary. In it he refers to
reports of different commanders of mill
tary departments, and invites particular
attention to that of Gen. Sheridan. His
command, says Gen. sherman, embraces
eight of the ten regiments of cavalry
and Is of the % regiments cf infantry
which compose the entire army, aud al,
though he states this force to be entirely
inadequate to perform the duties requir
cd, yet it is impossible further to rein
force him without stripping the sea
board or abandoning other territories
subjected to the same dangers which he
so graphically describes in his own. His
territorial command is 500 miles long
and l 200 miles broad. This vast re.
gion has in the past ten years undergone
q radical change. From being the pas
ture field of millions of buffalo, elk. ETC..
a6ording abundant food for Indians, it
has passed into farming country ira
versed by many railroads. The game
is nearly all gone and the Indians have
been forced upon small reservations.
Nealry all the Indian treaties were made
Oh the theory that this change would
occur more slowly and that the govern
ment would have to furnish partial food
for the Indians, aud that it would pro-
cure half or a quarter of the necessary
meat by hunting. Again it was favor
lite theory that the Indian would see for
himself a reason why he should cultivate
the ground like white men, but his bro.
gress in this respect IL scarcely pcreep.
tible, save in remnants of tribes like the
Santees. Pawnees, Cherokeos, etc; while
the Sioux, Cheyennes, Arapahoes
klowas, etc., seem to prefer death to
common toll of the farmer. Beyond
question it was hunger which drove the
Bannocks and Cheyenues to war this
Summer, aud similar escapades will oc.
cur each year unless these Indians be
kept quiet with more food. It seems
idle to expect that the enterprisiug
white race will cease to till every acre
Of this continent that is susceptible of
cultivation. 1t is not to be expected
that these pasture fields can be used bv
the two races without everlasting con
fict. The reservations already set apart
for the Indians are large enough and
should suffice them to raise all the meat
and grain necessary for their subsistence;
but meantime they must have food, else
they will steal and fight. To convert
these Indians into pastoral race is the
first step in the upward progress of civ
ilization. That Of culture must be the
next stage, though slower Of realization.
But in this direction is the sole hope Of
rescuing any part ofnomad Indians from
utter humiliation. This end caanot be
reached by means of the present peace
agents, because persuasion is wasted on
an Indian. There must not only be a
show of force but actual force and sub
lection used. Force will be necessary
to COMPEL the nomad to cultivate his
own ground There is wide distinc
ton among the tribes, and each tribe
must be dealt with according to It's na-
ture. Large discretion to supply food
must be lodged with the president or
somewhere else. Starvation will each
year cause wars such as occurred this
season with the Shosho1es and southern
Cheyennes. Tie army cannot forsee or
prevent these wars. All it can do after
the ldians break out, plumber or steal,
and kill harmless families, is to pursue
and capture them in detail after infinite
toll, and then conduct them back to
their reservations and turn then, loose
to return TO the same game of al lijita,a.
Congress alone can provide remedy.
Prevention is wiser than cure. Money
and discretion must be lodged some.
where in time to prevent starvation.
Reports Of Generals Mcdowell, How
ard and Wilcox describe the condition
Of affairs in the States aud Territories
bordering on the prcidc ocean: These
Indians are collected by tribes aud fam
lilies on small reservations, we'll apart. so
that Indian wars on a large scale. re-
curing concert of action. are not proba.
bic. Yet the Nez Perez war Of 1877,
and the Shoshone war Of this Summer.
show, however, these small bands of In
dams did large amount Of damage and
caused great CONSERVATION. The Pacific
coast Indians depend much on fish for
subsistence, and the establishment Of
fisheries on the Lower Columbia is fast
cutting off tho supply. Unless suitable
regulations are adopted salmon will be.
come extinct and the indians will be
driven to stealing and consequest war
with the settlers. Reference is made to
the danger Of hostilities between In.
dams and settlers in Oregon and Wash,
ington Territory, aud also ia Arisona.
owing to trespasses By whites. The
army is powerless to act ia either case,
having no control or right to interfere,
except after hostilities are actually be.
gun.
The general repeats that the Indian
problem is not a single problem, but
many, as many almost as there are