The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-07-31


the calamity of an Indian war every year or
two is a matter of so much importance that
congress ought never to cease investigations
until the causes are ascertained and the
needed remedies applied. There is no rea
son for doubling that a majority of these
wars during the last two decades of years
have originated directly from a series of
scoundrelisms perpetrated by radical thieves
appointed by radical administrations as
Indian agents: The proof is overwhelming.
But when the democrats in congress sought
to remedy the matter by placing Indian affairs
under control of the army, we find a radical
senate objecting, and as a consequence the
vilIainIes of the Indian agents proceeded
unchecked and UNPUBLISHED. The Indians
take to the war path, and another war with
its sacrifices of men and money is forced
upon the country. While the Indian agents
are doing what they can to foment strife the
Mormons are playing the same murderous
game This is confirmed by the written
statements of the Indian commissioner at
Ogden City, Utah, Mr.. Alexander, who "has
written to the authorities at Washington
some facts regarding the origin of Indian
wars and the source of the supply of arms
and ammunition which the Indians always
possess He says that the traffic IN ammu-
milton is carried on by the cooperative
stores to the Indians; that the cooperative
stores are conducted by the Mormon priest
hood. The deputy United States marshals
at Ogden City and elsewhere have assured
the commissioner that the traffic is carried
'on daily, and beyond all doubt by all sim
liar institutions all over the territory and
in Southern Idaho. These places are direct
'Iy on the Indian border. The Mormon
priesthood have constant missionaries
among the Indians. He further says: The
latter are converted to Mormonism
and taken through the endowment
house, where they 1.-THE Indians)
pledge themselves to support the priest
hood, or, as they are called by the Mormons,
our battle axes. There almost every In
dian war is carried on directly or indirectly
by this priesthood, and therefore this traffic
of ammunition. The great aim of the
priesthood is to intimidate on-Mormons
from settling the valleys anywhere within
five hundred miles of Salt Lake, for the pur-
pose of keeping the lands vacant until, by
the natural and steady and rapid growth of
'Mormonism, the priesthood can colonize the
'unoccupied regions. The so called masonry
that binds all tribes together, so often re-
'ferred to by the press of the United States,
'emanates from the endowment temple at
Salt Lake, where the secret work and the
endowment garments are given them. The
so called friendly Indians are always carry
ing information and ammunition to the
'hostiles. As this is as serious as costly, /
deem it my duty to report the same to you,
and If there is no law to stop the sale OF
Ammunition TO the Indians, suggest for the
president to issue proclamation in which
ito prohibit the sale of ammunition and fire.
arms to- the Indians during the time of hos
'tiliiy. If our governor of this territory
should be alive to the interests he should
represent am certain this traffic could not
be carried on as extensively as it is ,"
Accepting Mr.. Alexander's statements as
true, the government ought to be strong
enough to punish the Mormans, and il moth
ing else will do, quarter the entire army in
Utah and compel priest and DANTE to sub
NIT to the laws Of the land.