The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-10-23
THE INDIAN SIT
Denver Tribun

Our special dispatches from both the
northern and southern lines of the Ute
reservation represent the Indian situa-
tion as nearly us 1t is to be gotten ut,
that is to say, represent it u distance
from the Indians Of nearly a hundred
miles. Tie situation is upon the whole
a ~deplorable one. The commissioners
OF tue interior department are march,
Ing in from the south, Willie the soldiers
at White River are under orders aud
probably by this time are marching out
towards the north. The work which
was SO well begun is to be ignobly end
ed. The Indians will laugh in the face
Of a government CAPABLE VI imposing
no stronger chastise ment than our gov
eminent appears to be in this case.
Mr.. Pollock and Gen. Adams expect
ed to meet and have the cooperation of
Gen. Merritt in debating terms to the
savages. Their instructions were to
make certain demands upon the Indians
and IL the did not comply with these
the amy was to be allowed to take its
course; in other words, must he stand.
ing ready TO support the peace arm Of
the government in the maintenance OF
order and the enforcement of Justice.
Having strayed far enough away from
telegraph keys and post offices Il feel
somewhat independent to act as lie
might see proper, Gen. MERIT inaugu-
rated Il campaign which babe fair 10
produce good results. With fairly COM
Portable quarters on White river and
with material sufficient to prepare well
for winter, If necessary, with a large
store of -four on hand and cattle In
abundance near, which might have
been drawn upon for supplies, the SOL
diers now on White river might he al
lowed to remain ut that point, us gener-
al headquarters from which to conduct
a spirited campaign; or, better still they
might have marched thence, in accor-
dance with Merritt's plans, directly
southwark through the Indian land,
making conquest of 1t IL necessary, and
If not, establishing to the full satisfac-
ton Of the aborigines the superior
claims of the white man now to the red
mans domain. This plan would have
afforded the best opportunities for the
punishment Of the Indians for their
o%tfense, and also for the bringing about
Of a speedy and just settlement of the
trouble in which we are involved with
the Indians.
But, alas for Gen. Merritt,s calcula-
tionsl He has no sooner inaugurated
a campaign which to him, an expel-
fenced officer on the spot, seems the
wisest to be pursued, than he is recalled
from the chase M told to retire with
his soldiers to their ordinary quarters,
and like u routed army leave the coun-
try to the foe.
Now. why is this so? Why has Gen.
Merritt, with sufficient p%rovocation for
war, with all the advantages in his
favor, aud with the general knowledge
that efficient work.on his part at this
lime will save much suffering and an
- sue iulure' why mas ne been
.'s ihere aie W causes for the
pie WHICH amount 70 one. These
ale ,e'iousy oi h department OF the
'o"aros another and ina
p on.ne pait Oh the governmental
i.' FORCES II grows put OF
ia.s .na. Tue interior department
.ne ihuiahs when the military
.amn now as =. mas thought o long
.'a' 'ne control OF these pets
be left to that department. The
n LAYING muiuefeu Agent Meek
anu Tue agency employees have been
iou'ea IRON Their locality Iy |
'ne uoops. they nee south, and u
emm'ssioner irom the interior depart
men. starts out too meet them, carry
.ns nus ruetions to do what be cali
Au ulc.aliiig the terms OF peace,
ucs'ous 70 permit Gen. Mel
~ pursue MS warfare In case of
H..
ms = murray CALLING to the army.