The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-10-09
Thursday. October 9. 1879.
schurz's Responsibility for the Indian
Massacre.

Il has been the custom under the Re-
publican regime to prostitute the public
service for political purposes, and iunket-
ing parties of heads of departments have
been the rule, Just before the elections
these heads of departments start out ID
different directions. ostensibly on official
business. but really to serve partisan pur-
poses. The latest case to call for the
condemnation Of all who hold the good OF
the country above all other considerations,
is that of the Secretary of the Interior
Schurz, who, only a few days before the
Indian massacre was In the very country
where the tragedy was enacted, and yet
failed to visit the agency and ascertain the
real condition of affairs, as he had
announced was his intention when start
ing out on the tour. Instead of doing
this, however. he went to Denver to deliV-
er political speech, leaving Meeker. the
Indian agent, aud his family. and the
settlers tothe mercy of the savages. The
New York Herald says, in commenting on
the affair, tLat.-
morning, received the dispatch about five
o'clock. He says he has nothing new and
nothing to say more than has already been
published in the interview with him tele-
graphed from st. Louis. He would have
visited the White River Agency at the
time the demand was made for troops
and hurried to Denver to see Governor
Pitkin. but there he met Senators Teller
and Hill. and all parties were OF the opin-
ion that nothing serious would take place.
His previous engagements were such that
he did not think it necessary TO change
his route. and having the fullest comb
dence in the integrity of Agent Meeker, he
concluded to fulfil appointments made
weeks before. The report of the massa-
ere of the faithful agent and his employees
he most deeply regrets, as he does also the
loss of so many brave soldiers. Of course,
everything is now IN the hands of the
military, and the pursuit OF the hostile
Indians will be pushed till everyone is
captured or killed"
From Schurz's own lips comes his con-
domination, for he admits that he allowed
politics to engross his attention instead of
the business for which he was professedly
present to investigate. Leaving poor
Meeker to his fate. ignoring the danger 60
the settlers. without striving to prevent
an outbreak, he yielded to the solicitations
of Senator Teller and kept his political en-
gagements in utter disregard of the safety
of precious lives, Had he visited the
agency. ascertained from Meeker the true
state of affairs. and taken measures to
satisfy the Utes of the honest intention of
the government to act fairly with them
there is reason to believe the terrible
tragedy could have been avoided. Mr..
Schurz has placed himself in an unenviable
light, aud will hereafter be considered as
rank a partisan as any other member of
the Republican party and as faithless as
the average stalwart. The stalwart Or
gans will now have an opportunity to
vigorously defend Schurz and his tactics,
and he will have need of all the consola
ton TO be obtained in this manner. But
Notwithstanding the bolsteriDg received
from radical papers and partisan apollo
gists, Secretary ScEurz will retain the
stigma. ae will be written down as a
man who stepped aside from official
duty to serve political friends at time
when his doing so. placed in jeopardy the
lives of brave men. Secretary Schurz is
in measure responsible for the massacre of
Thornburgh and his men.