Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1878-04-13
LETTER TO HON. s. s. FEM.
PALousE. 7. r., April End, 1873.
To Hon. s. S. Fem. Dear Sir:

Your favor Of Feb. Gath, is just re-
ce;vcd, Lam glad you wrote me asking
the question "How d. you feel about
allowing Indians. who wish to, tho full
privilege Of Homestead laws" bad
intended to write in regard to this worry
subject. so soon as I could obtain the
sentiment Of the people upon the qucs
tion. l have put myself to some trouble
to get an expression Of feeling upon this
question, and the result is without ex
ception. every one with whom l have
conversed is decidedly in favor of break.
ing up tribal relations az fast rs possible,
and instead Of pet,ing and humoring To-.
dians as too foud parent does II spoiled
child, treat them as responsible beings,
hold them amenable to the laws, Just
the same as the white race are held, do
away at the carlics. moment with In.
dian agencies aud Indian rings, which
have and do WELD such a mighty power
10 Congress. It is very difficult, it
would seem, for the leopl. who are the
most deeply interested in the Indian
matter, to obtain even patient hear.
ing. That false superficial philanthropy
existing in the Eastern States, together
with the missionary Influence brought
to bear on Congress, precludes the posi-.
bility of the opinions Of the hardy from.
tiersman being allowed the least weight,
and the cry goes up that we of the ter
ritories are nothing moro than set o.
hoodlums, weltcriug in ignorance and
v.stly Inferior in point Of moral and hu.
name feelings, tothc petted aud hamper
ed louse eating. noble red man Of the
mountains. The white people Of the
mountains, in the estimation of Eastern
men are always wrong, hut the poor
abused scalp Htters aud ravishcrs are
ihvari,bly right aud jastidab!c in ali
their hellishness. "Wud some power
the gift to gi'us. To see oursel's as
ithers see us" Just as sure as an at
tempt is made to force Chief Moses on
the Colvi!!e reserya'iuf just SO sure
there will be waS. Bat what care the
Indian Department? A do en- or two
Of the settlers killed off is ct but little
consequence. There is big money in it
aud anything to pocket the grceuback.,
Wn tho settlers are the sufferers. The
lhdian 'ing arc gamers. Chief Nose,
is perfectly wiling to take the chances
Of the whites. All he WAITS is to be let
alone. Otherwise repetition Of las,
Summers atsoc.tics will surely result
We do hope Congress will have.a little
regard for the opinions of our people
and that action will be taken, looking to
the proper settlement of this Indian
question. The impression generally
prevails among all our people that if the
lndians are made TO know that they
would be held responsible for their acts;
that they are expected to become self
sustaining; that at the expiration of
present treaty stipulations they would
not be allowed annuities any longer:
that they would be no longer the honor
ed and hnmpered guests of the govern
ment; then new and better era, both
for Mr.. Siwash aud the government
would dawn. am sure the settlers
would hail witA delight unieigned the
new departure" It has been charged
by the noisy class Of phila"thropists in
the East who live in '.brown stone
fronts" and who perhaps know nearly as
much about Indians as the swine d,
about Heaven, that the frontiersmen are
to blame for all our difficulties with the
Lo! family. The accusation is false.
The real cause may be traced to the
door Of the Agencies and the indeci.ion
Ut the government. There must Ger.
tainly be something rotten and wrong
when an Indian Agent on an annual
salary Of $500 can in seven years
clear above expenses $4,000. Let
the present policy be done away with.
and 1t the Iodians fail to make a living
suffer them to 'go by the board" just
as generous government allows its
white Oitisens this high privilege.
You're truly
Ynl NAr Dovs-vr