The Van Buren press., 1879-01-07
Our Indian Policy.
From the I.it,le Rock Gazette.

One oi the leading questions of the
day is whether the Indian shall be un
der the control Of the war or the inter
or department. Not only does the gov
ernment, but the people generally, take
a deep interest in the matter, and Whcc
lers lndependent--undoubted authority
in Indian atiars-says that Mr.. johnson
-" Boggy"-" understands Indian mat
ters as well rs any man in the United
States We naturally desired, il pos
sible, to learn his views in relation there
to, and give the following interview:
"Do YOU believe it would be better tc
place the Indian under the control Of the
war department :"
"No, ! do motif you mean under
the control Of the military. 1t would
be folly to make any change in the pres
ent relations Of the different peaceable
tribes. A soldier is not missionary,
mechanic or farmer but, in all relations
Of life soldier, and nothing more His
profession is arms. True, soldiers have
made statesmen but they are few and
far between. All the oldlime tribes re-
main peaceable, and hold themselves
willing to obey the wishes Of the gov
ernment, no change should be made
but as soon rs they manifest hostility,
then Immediately should the civil power
be withdrawn, and the military take the
control That they frequently have
great grievances is true, and it seems al
most impossible, under our form Of gov
ernmcnt, to avoid them. Great care
should be taken in the selection of lUdi.
an agents They should be under no
sectional control, not addicted to drink.
ing or profanity gentlemen Of impos-
ing presence. We hear much Of thicv-
ing contractors and agents no doubt
there are some, not all though, and many
honest ones who have the Indians we'll
fare at heart
"You say that frequently their gricv-
anees cannot be avoided, how so p
Because appropriations for theirsup-
port are not made in time, and the dc.
partments can not take the responsible
ty of ordering supplies. Again, some.
times the contractors fail, consequently
the Indian suffers, and mind you, he's II
great grumbler.'
"Do you believe it is better to remove
the wild tribes into the Indian territory"
81 believe it is very wrong. There is
plenty of territory further west better
suited for them. The Indian Territory
is becoming surrounded by u hardy, in
dustrious, thrifty people, who are making
the wastes of Texas, Arkansas and Kan
sas, the admiration of the agricalturalist.
Already Paul's valley and other portions
Of the territory where they have been
furnished foothold, gives evidence Of
their industry and intelligence. 1t is
nonsense to suppose that this territory
can remain waste for any length of
time, surrounded by such population.
\ powerful man has his foot on the line,
manifest destiny, and cross he will and
il behooves the government and the In
dams to prepare for his advent. Such
utterances as the chief of the Cherokees
addresses to the residents should not be
tolerated"
The chief said aluding to some intru-
sion on his territory" If this is not re-
moved you can't expect your people and
my people to live on friendly terms"
What foolishncss. | remember when the
fort at Fort Smith was being built, Gen
zash 7s ot TaXH Is h Yass rh6eew R2 A.
and part in the state. Some Choctaws
complained to Maj Armstrong, their
agent, that the general was cutting tim
Der from off their land. | then being
in the service OF the government, Maj.
Armstrong sent me with communications
in regard to the timber, to the general,
stating that he must keep an account OF
the timber he cut off from the reserva
ton, SO that the Indians could be paid
for it, or he would report to the govern
ment. What !" said the old hero. "By
the eternal, | shall do no such thing
This territory belongs as much to the
people of these United States as it does
TO the Choctaws, and the Major must not
trouble me-" Now, in one respect, the
general was wrong, and | told him so
My principle is to pay them fairly foi
whatever we take from them, but they
can't stand as barrier to the advance
mont and civilization of the Anglo o-SaX
on race