Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-06

i L
wheat ring know that with the meeting of
the Legislature next month, the war on the
sWindling brass kettle will be renewed with
yigor, and they are simply hedging with
their tests.
PRcHOT1NG RELIGION sNCNG THE
JNDTANs.
II the telegraph correctly reports the testi-
lnony of DR.. A. G. Rarstow, chairman of the
board Of Indian commissioners, and repre-
sentlng the Congregational church in behalf
of the education and conversion of the
Indian race, before the commission having
under consideration the transfer Of the
indian bureau to the war department., that
individual would do we'll to take to the woods
when the fool-killer is making his rounds.
lie IS reported to have said that he thought
it impossible for the body of Indian com
nnissioners to work in harmony with army
officials as they did with civilians, and gave
! as bis reason that the army was formed for
war-to subdue enemies and make peace
rather than to promote religion and friend
snip. LIZ his opinion, in five years. time,
under the supervision Of Christian discipline,
the entire Indian race could be civilized for
half the amount of money which would
necessarily be expended is they were placed
under the ruling Of the war department..
lie considered that there are some very good
| men IN the army, but did not think them
| adapted to the requirements of Indian agents,
and was positive they are incapable of pro-
noting religion, civilization, etc.
DE-. Barstow seems to argue that the sub
dung of enemies and the making Of peace
is inconsistent with the promotion of religion
and friendship. Such, at least, may be fairly
inferred from his argument. If it is I'M
possible for the Indian commissioners to
work in harmony with an organization whose
mission it is to subdue enemies and make
peace, then we are decidedly in favor of let
ting the Indian commissioners go by the
board. L the army's mission is to make
peace, and the Indian commissioners cannot
work IN harmony with such purpose the
natural sylogism is, That the Indian commits
| sloners are opposed to peace, and that relig-
lon and peace are antagonstic. What COM
fort can II be for man, We would like to
inquire, to know that he is to be scaEpel and
murdered by savages protesting religion of
| the orthodox pattern? Would it not be as
satisfactory to know that he is to be thus
treated by an Indian who knows nothing of
the theories of religion and friendship?
| The experiment Of subjecting the Indians
to 'the supervision Of Christian discipline
has been fully tried. Christian discipline, as
| far as we have been able to ascertain from
the result of the experiments made, consists
IN stealing the rations and blankets set apart
Tor the creature comfort Of the aborigines.
| and Offering them instead the spiritual COM
forts Of theoretical religion. To untutored
MINDS the one IS not recompense for the
other, and the natural -uprisings,
thefts, raplne and murder-follow. It is
perhaps conviction that the government is
| too lavish In Its expenditures for the sup
port of the Indians that induces these agents
of the Christian church to steal their sup
plies desire to prove that they can be civ
lllzed for half the amount Of money! At
least this is what we may infer from the re-
marks OF DR.. Barstow, taken in connection
with the acts of his subordinates, But whether
the people OF tho country will approve OF
such policy remains to be seen. We are
very certain that the Indians do not like il:
that they would prefer the comforts of a full
stomach without religion rather than an
| cfC,Jo oh wit, o1l no
llglon that their agents are capable of inn
parting.
DIR. BarsSow's confidence that the Indians
can be civilized within five years under the
present system is probably we'll placed.
Within that time they will be starved from
OFF the face of the earth, and will indeed be
good Indians" Perhaps, too, he is right
IN saying that army officers are not adapted
for Indian agents, Tor it is notorious that
army officers like good living themselves and
would not be apt to allow those about them,
be they Indians Or white men, to suffer for
the necessities of life. If, by feeding the
wards of the nation. they prove themselves
incapable OF promoting religion, civiliza-
ton, etc." then we say by ell means let ere
ligion, civilization, etc. go to the dogs.
When, several years ago, the care of the
Indians was farned out to the several re-
ligious denominations in nearly equal parts,
we had hope that many of the abuses that
had sprung up in the Indian service would
disappear. We confess to have been griev-
ously disappointed. The service has become
yearly more expensive, and abuses that were
but as molehills have become as mountains.
While under the control of the politicians
the Indian agencies were often resorts for
debauchery and riot; they have become.
under the control Of the churches, the haunts
of a lot of half-famished aborigines, ready.
on account of their great necessities, to in
augurate a reign of spoliation and blood.
The dishonesty of the Indian agents of the
past six years has been a shame and a re-
proach to the whole people. At their door
can be laid the responsibility for all Of the
Indian outbreaks that have devastated the
| frontier. They have attempted to instiI re-
| igion and civilization into their hearts by
starving their stomachs. This policy may
| be in accordance with the theories of DR..
Barstow and his co-religionists, but it is not
in accord with the dictates of humanity or
the advanced spirit of the age.
Fraternization
GALVESTON, Dec. 5.-rhe Neaps' Eagle Pass
special says Gen. Trevino, Mexican commander,
visited Fort Duncan this afternoon. He was
received at the river by company of cavalry