New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-21
THE INDIAN QUESTION.

HE INDIAN W LSIlON'
In substance General POpe's address was
as follows:
Unlike the nations of Europe. who have owned pos
sessions on this continent, the only people who
have ever recognized Indian titles to land within our
borders The theory well practice of the Govern
ment has been recognize this title and to extngush
for such portions of the land acquired by actual
purchase. Whilst this policy has in theory, been em
nenty just and humane, its practical workings have
entalod more suffering and wrong upon both races than
would have attended followed open conquest. How
condition Of things deporabc has been evolved from
policy so humane can best be determined by short
history OF systems adopted aud carried out under it,
To make this explanation clear, it will not be neces
sary TO the history of our colonial relations with
the Indian nations farther than express the opinion,
which examination will either confirm or disprOve, that
IN the administration OF policy SO humane as that OF
William Penn will be found the seeds Of most OF the
shocking wrongs, both to Indians and whites which
have sHrched the history Of this country. do not
wish TO be understood any manner opposing myself
10 the system Of Penn as emGOdying principle emf
nently just and humane in it's purpose. 1t is
possible that IL its details had been arranged and
administered by pure and honest men, thoroughly
familiar with Indian life and character, the
history OF our Indian relations might have been widely
different. Unfortunately. however, whilst the theory
has been the basis Of all dealings with Indians
Since the pure and honest men. capable OF doing the
work and possessing the requisite qualifications, have
been sadly wanting and the results have been almost
the exact opposite Of what was hoped and no doubt
intended II will, however be sufficient for the object
have IN view to give brief account Of the systems
adopted with that theory basis and the manner III
which they have been administered.
EVILS OF THE TREATY SYSTEM
The beginning OF this century found us in possession
of vast districts Of country, least Onehaf OF which
consisted OF the most fertile lands in the world and the
other half about equally divided between rich mineral
dIafrip sNglo
tically in possession OF numerous tribes OF Indians,
whose pursuits and habits Of life varied as widely as
they vary among the same number OF white races.
policy OF dealing with the Indians based on that OF
Penn was adopted ; policy which, with some not very
important notifications be hereafter referred to- has
been pursued by the Government TO this day.
That policy is briefly as follows, viz:
Whenever the march Of emigration began to press
upon lands claimed roved over by wild tribes Of In
dians treaty made with the Indians which pro-
Weed for the surrender Of that portion Of their lands
which was Immediately in demand, leaving 10 The In
dian what remained. Treaties with Indians are made
by the Government for OF three objects
first, 10 buy land second. to buy peace;
and third and generally, TO buy both 1t
IA hardly necessary say that Of all modes OF keeping
tho peace the most Intellectual is buy it and If this
policy be extremely unwise when CIVILIZED nations en-
gage how much more impulitic when dealing Win
savage people The Indians first idea IS that you pay
him because you fear him, and he acts accordingly as
every treaty involves large expenditures OF money, II Is
Indian Agents are perfectly honest. TO the Indian
Agent fifteen ago. the idea of Indian adminstra-
treaty the intermediate days.
This then briefly Is the sort o. treaty through T men
continent aud through which we seem TO intend 70
money il has made the Indian object of cupdity to
the and has placed the low level OF sharp
trading the policy Intended be humane and worthy OF
gTea1 government That IL demorallzed the Indian by
teaching him vices and indulgences OF novel KIND,
and prepared HIM to sell his lands for almost any price
offered MIN, in order that he might ENJOY them, WIZ
not, think, be disputed That u placed p9th whites
and Indians in condition IN winch they could not aVoid
constant bros and difficulties, Is also clear, nor Is IT
less plain that IN the long run the sure 70
Often and again has the Indian, goaded by swindng
and wrong, maddened by drink broken out against
tie whites unfortunately and committed those dread
fal Ouages which the country has stood aghast but
proportion OF these outbreaks has been Ill the'way OF
retaliation With the great throng OF emigrans slill
Plumbers every day. who can tell what is happening to
the Indian The indian country Is penetrated every
where by the seekers for gold or land highways are
made through u without ms consent anu tn9
saw even If he can, what outrages are
committed upon the Indian by irresponsible
crowds Of white men, the bummers Of the real emf
grafton ocking into his country, but judging from
what these same whites do 10 each otGer the imagna-
would do aud doubtless have done TO the Indian what
the white does TO the Indian Is never known. ~ is
only what the Indian does TO the WhiIe man "hich
reaches the public.
Less century ago this system was applied 10 INC
CHEAT Indian nations which occupied the vast ie2on D
tween tine Allegheny Mountains ana the Misslssppi
NlpIeare
OF the great tribes once lannon's in history The
DelaWares the Mamies, tho WyandOts, the Snawnees'
and Foxes, tho wOUmos, the hIckapOOs,
and many otheTs-Wherc they, those DeB-
efciaries OF and humane pOliCyf Only
a few feeble, helpless and hopeless fragments
OF these great Indian nations yet remain Trans
ferrcd through OF violence and bOOdshed from
one reservation TO another, they have at last been
established small reservations In the Indian
Territory and the Upper MissOuri-pOor fOrOrn de-
pendenls upOn the insufficient charity Of the Govern
ment and the fOrbearance OF the imperious white
settlers There let hope they left die IN
I1eacp their and TO pass of the
iory of the country and be comfortably forgotten by
them.
HISTORY FULL OF HORROR AND BLooDsHED.
What Also has the history of the white settlers
the pioneers of great States OF the Westi 1t Is
history full OF horror and Of boodshed; OF nassacres
OF women and children, accompanied by hornd
atrocities which the imagination refuses to con-
template; Of fortunes and final death TO thousands
,f men gultess OF any wrong to the Indian, the
vc,ins OF the awcss crowds Of adventures who pre-